Cochinita Pibil (Yucatecan Achiote Pork)
Local name: Cochinita pibil
In short: Pork shoulder marinated in achiote, citrus and spices, wrapped in banana leaves and cooked until it falls apart, then piled on tortillas. It takes about 3 h 45 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 3 h 15 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 3 h 45 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 640 kcal
Cochinita pibil is the best-known dish of the Yucatán Peninsula. Pork is rubbed with red achiote paste and sour citrus juice, wrapped in banana leaves and cooked slowly until it pulls apart with a spoon. Traditionally this happens in a pit oven called a pib, which gives the dish its name. At home a regular oven works well. Serve it on warm tortillas with pickled red onions and a little habanero salsa.
Instructions
- Blend the achiote paste, orange juice, lime juice, vinegar, garlic, oregano, cumin, allspice, pepper and salt until completely smooth.
- Toss the pork with the marinade in a large bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- For the pickled onions, pour boiling water over the sliced onions, wait 10 seconds and drain. Mix with the citrus juices, oregano, salt and habanero and leave for at least 1 hour. They turn bright pink.
- Heat the oven to 160°C (325°F). Pass the banana leaves over a gas flame or dip them in hot water for a few seconds until glossy and pliable. Line a large heavy pot or baking dish with them, letting the ends hang over the sides.
- Add the pork and every drop of the marinade, then fold the leaf ends over the top to enclose it. Cover with a lid or foil.
- Bake for about 3 hours, until the pork is very tender and shreds easily with a fork.
- Open the package carefully, as the steam is hot. Shred the pork in its juices and season with a little more salt and a squeeze of lime if needed.
- Serve warm on tortillas with the pickled onions and habanero salsa.
Tips
- No banana leaves? Line the dish with parchment and then foil. The pork will still be tender but will lack the faint, tea-like aroma of the leaves.
- Use fatty pork shoulder rather than loin. Lean cuts dry out over the long cooking time and will not shred as softly.
Questions and answers
What does pibil mean?
Pibil refers to cooking in a pib, an underground pit oven lined with hot stones. Most home cooks now use a regular oven, but the dish keeps the name.
Can I make cochinita pibil in a slow cooker?
Yes. Put the marinated pork in a leaf-lined slow cooker, fold the leaves over and cook on low for 8 hours, until the pork pulls apart easily.
Is cochinita pibil spicy?
Not by itself. Achiote adds earthy flavor and a deep red color, and the heat comes from the habanero salsa served on the side.
How long does it take to make Cochinita Pibil (Yucatecan Achiote Pork)?
About 3 h 45 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 3 h 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Cochinita Pibil (Yucatecan Achiote Pork)?
About 640 kcal per serving, with 46 g of protein, 38 g of carbohydrates and 27 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 640 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 46 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Fat | 27 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1200 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
