Roast Pork Lechon Asado

Transform your kitchen into a Cuban-inspired feast with this Roast Pork Lechon Asado recipe, a slow-roasted masterpiece bursting with bold flavors. Featuring a succulent pork shoulder marinated in a vibrant blend of fresh orange and lime juices, garlic, oregano, and cumin, this dish embodies the essence of Latin cuisine. The key to its rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness is marinating the pork overnight and roasting it low and slow until the meat is fork-tender and the skin turns irresistibly crispy. Serve this show-stopping entrée alongside classics like black beans, rice, or sweet plantains for an unforgettable meal. Perfect for holidays, family gatherings, or any occasion where hearty, flavorful comfort food is a must!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:300 mins

Total Time:330 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 5 pounds Pork shoulder (bone-in, skin-on)
• 12 Garlic cloves
• 1 cup Fresh orange juice
• 0.5 cup Fresh lime juice
• 0.25 cup Olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons Ground cumin
• 1.5 tablespoons Kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 large White onion (sliced)
• 3 Bay leaves
• 1 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

Place the pork shoulder into a large roasting pan and pat it dry with paper towels.

Step 2

Using a small sharp knife, score the skin of the pork shoulder in a crosshatch pattern, being careful not to cut into the meat.

Step 3

Prepare the marinade by blending or processing the garlic, orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, oregano, cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper until smooth.

Step 4

Pour the marinade evenly over the pork shoulder, ensuring it gets into the scored lines and any crevices. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, covered tightly with plastic wrap.

Step 5

Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Remove the pork from the marinade (reserving the marinade) and place it into the roasting pan.

Step 6

Surround the pork with sliced onion and bay leaves. Add 1 cup of water to the pan to prevent the drippings from burning.

Step 7

Roast uncovered in the preheated oven for 4-5 hours, basting every hour with the reserved marinade. The skin should crisp up, and the meat should be tender enough to pull apart easily with a fork. Add more water to the pan if it begins to dry out.

Step 8

For extra crispy skin, increase the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) for the final 20-30 minutes, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.

Step 9

Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before shredding or slicing. Serve hot alongside traditional accompaniments like rice, black beans, or plantains.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3185.5 grams (3185.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6422

Total Fat 530.30g	680%
Saturated Fat 179.00g	895%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.40g
Cholesterol 1588mg	529%
Sodium 4095mg	178%
Total Carbohydrate 71.80g	26%
Dietary Fiber 8.00g	29%
Total Sugars 30.70g
Protein 391.80g	784%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 518mg	40%
Iron 25mg	141%
Potassium 7293mg	155%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 72.0%

Protein: 23.6%

Carbs: 4.3%