Lechón Asado (Cuban Mojo Roast Pork)
Local name: Lechón asado
In short: Pork shoulder marinated overnight in garlic, sour orange and oregano mojo, then roasted low and slow until tender with crackling skin. It takes about 5 h 20 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 5 h
- Resting
- 12 h
- Total
- 5 h 20 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 430 kcal
Lechón asado is Cuban roast pork, the centerpiece of Nochebuena on December 24 and of most big family gatherings. Traditionally a whole pig is roasted, but at home a bone-in pork shoulder gives the same garlicky, citrusy result. The meat soaks overnight in mojo, a marinade of garlic, sour orange juice, oregano and cumin, then roasts slowly until it pulls apart in juicy strands under a crisp skin. Serve it with black beans and rice, yuca with mojo and fried plantains.
Instructions
- Crush or pound the garlic with the salt into a paste. Stir in the orange juice, olive oil, oregano, cumin and pepper to make the mojo.
- Score the skin and fat in a diamond pattern. Stab the meat about 20 times with the tip of a knife, 3 cm (1 inch) deep. Reserve one third of the mojo in a clean jar, and rub the rest into the pork, working it into the cuts.
- Cover the pork and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours, turning it once.
- Heat the oven to 150°C (300°F). Spread the onion and bay leaves in a roasting pan, set the pork on top skin side up, and pour the water around it.
- Cover tightly with foil and roast for 4 to 4 1/2 hours, basting with the pan juices every hour, until the meat reaches 90°C (195°F) and pulls apart easily.
- Uncover, raise the oven to 230°C (450°F) and roast for 15 to 25 minutes, until the skin is blistered and crisp.
- Rest for 30 minutes. Pull the meat into chunks or slice it, discarding the bone. Bring the reserved mojo to a boil for 2 minutes, then drizzle it over the pork with some pan juices.
Tips
- Sour oranges (naranja agria) are sold in Latin markets. If you can find only regular oranges, mix their juice with lime juice as in the ingredients list.
- No skin-on shoulder? Use skinless pork butt and skip the final blast of heat. The meat will still be tender and juicy.
Questions and answers
Can I use boneless pork shoulder?
Yes. A boneless shoulder of about 2 kg (4.5 lb) cooks about 30 minutes faster. Tie it so it holds its shape and cook it to 90°C (195°F) for easy shredding.
How far ahead can I make lechón asado?
Roast it a day ahead, cool it and refrigerate it in its juices. Reheat covered in a 160°C (325°F) oven for 40 minutes, then crisp the skin under a hot broiler.
What is mojo?
Mojo is a Cuban sauce of crushed garlic, sour orange juice, oil and spices. It is used as a marinade for pork and as a dressing for yuca and other roots.
How long does it take to make Lechón Asado (Cuban Mojo Roast Pork)?
About 5 h 20 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 5 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Lechón Asado (Cuban Mojo Roast Pork)?
About 430 kcal per serving, with 40 g of protein, 4 g of carbohydrates and 28 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 430 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 40 g |
| Carbohydrates | 4 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 950 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
