How long should I marinate the pork?

Marinate for at least 4–8 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the citrus acid and garlic to penetrate the meat. Overnight marinating yields the most flavorful result.

What temperature should the pork reach?

Cook the pork shoulder until it reaches an internal temperature of 190–205°F for optimal tenderness and shredding. Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part.

Can I use a different cut of pork?

Pork butt (which is actually from the shoulder) works the same way. Bone-in cuts take longer but develop deeper flavor; boneless cuts cook faster but may dry out more easily.

Should I reserve marinade for cooking?

Yes—reserve half the marinade before adding raw pork. Use the reserved portion for basting during roasting and as the base for the dipping sauce to ensure food safety.

How do I store leftovers?

Refrigerate shredded or sliced pork in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of reserved marinade in a low oven to maintain moisture.

Mojo Marinated Pork Shoulder

Name: Mojo Marinated Pork Shoulder
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 4 1/2 cups fresh orange juice, divided; 1 1/4 cups fresh lime juice, divided; 1 orange, zested; 1 lime, zested; 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh oregano, divided; 12 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped; 1/2 cup olive oil; 1 bone-in pork shoulder (about 4 to 6 pounds), trimmed of excess fat; Salt and freshly ground black pepper; Mojo Dipping Sauce, recipe follows; Plantains with Rum and Brown Sugar, recipe follows; 8 cloves garlic; 1 serrano chile, chopped; 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves; Salt; 1/2 cup orange juice; 1/4 cup lime juice; 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1/2 cup light brown muscavado sugar; 3 ripe plantains, peeled and sliced on the bias into 1/2-inch-thick slices; 1/2 cup dark rum

CookOSBeta

Mojo Marinated Pork Shoulder | CookOS

Ingredients

4 1/2 cups fresh orange juice, divided
1 1/4 cups fresh lime juice, divided
1 orange, zested
1 lime, zested
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh oregano, divided
12 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
1 bone-in pork shoulder (about 4 to 6 pounds), trimmed of excess fat
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Mojo Dipping Sauce, recipe follows
Plantains with Rum and Brown Sugar, recipe follows
8 cloves garlic
1 serrano chile, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves
Salt
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup light brown muscavado sugar
3 ripe plantains, peeled and sliced on the bias into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1/2 cup dark rum

Instructions

1
Combine 4 cups of the orange juice and 1 cup of the lime juice and zest in a large saucepan over high heat and reduce to 2 cups. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining orange juice and lime juice add a few cloves of garlic and 1/4 cup of the oregano. Let cool to room temperature.
2
Using a paring knife, make small slits over the entire surface of the pork and rub the garlic into the slashes. Whisk together the oil and remaining 1/4 cup of the oregano in a large roasting pan, add the pork and turn to coat, cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
3
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
4
Remove the pork from the refrigerator 30 minutes before roasting. Season the pork with salt and pepper and cook for 30 minutes. Reduce the heat to 375 degrees F and continue roasting, basting with the marinade during the last 30 minutes of roasting until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reaches 150 degrees F. Remove from the oven, baste with any remaining glaze, tent loosely and let rest 15 minutes before slicing.
5
Serve the pork with the Mojo Dipping Sauce and the Plantains with Rum and Brown Sugar.
6
Using a mortar and pestle, mash the garlic, serrano, cilantro and a few pinches of salt until it becomes a paste. Add the orange juice, lime juice and oil and stir to combine.
7
Heat butter in a large saute pan over high heat. Add the sugar and cook until melted. Add the plantains and cook until soft and heated through. Remove pan from the heat, add the rum, return to the heat and cook until the alcohol has reduced.