A slow roasted, marinated picnic pork shoulder with intense flavourings and charred bits. This Cuban Style Slow Roasted Marinated Pork is a dish served best at room temperature and to a crowd. A cheaper cut of pork, which feeds at least eight people, is the ideal main for entertaining!
As a food blogger, it’s important to keep up with food trends so that I’m offering recipes on my blog that are in the now. I want my readers to have access to the best possible recipes with easy, do-it-yourself preparation. But, when I’m not seeking out the next big food trend, I’m looking for foods that are classified as comfort foods, which look great, taste great, and are budget friendly.
Back in November, a food blogger, whom I read religiously, posted a recipe to her blog for a Cuban pork. I couldn’t wait to try it, but I needed to get my Christmas baking out of the way first. Mary, at Goodie Godmother, explains that her pork dish is a Christmas classic in Cuban families. And, even though I’m not of Cuban descent, this pork dish was calling to me and I had to get it in my belly.
I did make a few changes to suit my personal tastes, but if you’re looking for another option, you can take a look at Mary’s post here.
Cuban Style Slow Roasted Marinated Pork is a dish you most certainly need to plan in advance. There is a marinating process that’s extremely simple, but it’s also extremely important. Boneless pork shoulder is a cheap cut of meat and needs all the help it can get. The marinade turns this cheap cut of meat into a mouth-watering delight! The suggested marinating time is a 12 – 18 hours.
In addition to the marinating process, the cooking process is easy, but lengthy. Remember, this is a slow roasted pork dish. The complete cooking time is 5 hours. Don’t let that scare you! Once you place the pork in the oven, you basically need to check on it every 30 minutes and walk away. In the meantime, you can do laundry, dust, vacuum, whip up a few side dishes, and set a spectacular table for you and your guests!
Cuban Style Slow Roasted Marinated Pork
Pin Recipe Save Recipe Print RecipeIngredients
- 5-6 pound boneless pork shoulder roast
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice fresh
- 2 tablespoons oregano dried
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large onions sliced about ¼ inch thick
Instructions
- Begin by washing the pork under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Transfer the pork to a glass dish and set aside.
- Next, whisk together the garlic, olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, salt, oregano, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, sugar, and black pepper.
- Rub this half of the mixture over the surface of the roast. Flip the roast over and rub the remaining mixture into the pork.
- Wrap the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate the pork to marinate for a minimum of 12 hours. Do not let the pork marinate for more than 18 hours.
- An hour or two before you’re ready to start the roasting process, remove the pork from the fridge and let the pork come back to room temperature.
- In the meantime, cut up the onions and place them under the pork. Nestle the pork roast on top of the bed of sliced onions. Pour one cup of water into the pan.
- With the oven preheated to 425 degrees, bake the pork, uncovered, for 1 hour.
- Lower the temperature of the oven to 350 degrees and bake the pork, covered with aluminum foil, for 3 hours. Check the pork every 30 minutes. Add half cup of water if the pan is starting to dry out. You want to keep the moisture in the pan.
- After 3 hours has passed, remove the aluminum foil and increase the heat to 425 degrees. Bake for 30 more minutes.
- Next, turn off the heat and leave the pork in the oven for 30 more minutes.
- Before slicing, allow the pork to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.
Megan Marlowe says
Is there really anything better than slow roasted meat? I’m a huge fan of Cuban flavors and this pork is making my mouth water! Delicious! From the garlic, lime and cumin, I want to dive right in with my fork and feast until my belly hurts!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Sounds like what I did – seriously, I’m the only meat eater in our house. I had the whole thing to myself. 🙂
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says
Somehow slow roasted marinated dishes always seem to taste the best. And even though I don’t eat pork your pictures make this look delicious. It would probably be a good marinade for some other things as well 🙂
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Yes! I think it would work really well on a whole chicken or even a beef roast.
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says
Oh man.. the husband keeps saying he wants a roast like this. I don’t eat it, so I don’t like to cook it (because I can’t taste as I go). I’ll have to send this his way when he decides to cook it himself LOL
byronethomas@gmail.com says
LOL I often cook vegetarian dishes that I won’t eat, so I get where you’re coming from. 🙂
Natalie | Natalie's Food & Health says
This roasted pork sounds really delicious, AND it looks absolutely fantastic. I don’t eat/prepare pork at home BUT my family – mom and dad do. I’ll give this recipe to my mom. She will be thrilled becouse she’s always looking for new ways to prepare roasted pork for family dinners. That way I’ll get the chance to try this heheh 😉
byronethomas@gmail.com says
I like the way you think; get your mom to make it. No one can cook like mom! 🙂
Veena Azmanov says
I love Roast Pork, My mom use to make a good Slow Roast Pork and this looks so close to that. I cannot wait to try. Love the color. Your photographed it well.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Veena. 🙂
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
This sounds so delicious. I can see how the marinade places such an important part of the process. The time is worth it in the end. Mouthwatering results that are sure to feed a crowd. My neighbour is Cuban…I just might have to pay her a visit.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Bring her some pork! 🙂 I saw this recipe and just had to try it. I was so happy I did too – it was the kind of dish that just melts in your mouth.
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says
This is drool worthy!! As much as I do love a good and FAST meal, nothing really beats a truly amazing slow cooked piece of pork. The fact that it’s marinated is reason enough for me to try!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
You know, Ms. Kylee, I prefer pork over any other meat. #serious!
Sara says
I don’t eat meat and pork has especially always been unappealing to me but this looks absolutely incredible. I think that’s how you know you have a winner when even a veggie is like well that looks good 🙂
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Haha – thanks, Sara. My partner and my daughter are both vegetarians, so I get that from them a lot. It looks good, but no. LOL
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
Save those dark bits — I want them!! We make several pork shoulder roasts a year on the “barbie” and we love the meat. Yes! We are carnivores and proud of it. 🙂 Hubby is sitting right across from me and the minute I mentioned what I was reading he said, “Get the recipe!” Can’t wait to get home and get our Weber smoking! And although it’s just the two of us, we share with our grown kids and families. Have a great weekend.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Marisa. 🙂 I envy your ‘barbie’ abilities. I live in the city and balcony bbq is so frowned upon. Haha!
Leah says
This sounds like a fantastic meal, and I love how easy it is to cook! The spices on the pork sound like the perfect combination! I can’t wait to make this!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Leah. 🙂
Kathy McDaniel says
I think I’m in love with this Cuban!!! Such great flavors and those brown bits are just to die for! What a great recipe! Love the fact that you can feed a crowd with one roast!! Definitely a must make for me!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
I’m with you, Kathy. The dark, brown bits are my favourite part. 🙂
Jessica (Swanky Recipes) says
I’ve been on a Cuban food kick lately and can’t wait to try this recipe! I just love making comfort dishes like this in a variety of ways! These photos are gorgeous!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Jessica.
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says
The flavor in this sounds amazing! I bet the slow roasting makes it super juicy and tender – YUM!!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Being a food blogger I agree that we work hard to keep up with the trend. The marinate looks wonderful and I love recipes that involve marination. This is one process that brings a lot of flavor to the recipe and patience is the key here.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
So much patience, Sandhya. The smell of the pork while cooking was surely testing my patience. But, it was well worth the wait.
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says
My mouth watered a little bit thinking of marinated pork. This sounds very tasty, I think he hubby would really enjoy it.
Hanady | Recipe Nomad says
Byron this sounds so yummy! I don’t eat pork but I bet these flavors would taste great on a brisket!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Hanady. I don’t think the flavours are for only pork. I’d even try it with a roast chicken too.
Drmoores says
are the temps right for this recipe? they seem high for “slow roasted”?
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Yes, those are the correct temperatures. 🙂
Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery says
This looks amazing! The crust on the pork looks fantastic – I expected it to be grilled, not slow roasted. Pork shoulder is one of my favorite cuts because it’s so economical and feeds so many, but I haven’t tried a cuban marinated version (yet!).
Daniela Anderson says
Although my husband seems to have a tooth against meat in general and pork in particular, I do love roasted pork and indulge whenever I get the chance, especially when I visit my family, who happen to adore pork. They will really love your marinade, it brings so much flavour to the meat. Perfect for a Sunday meal!
Molly Kumar says
WoW, this looks so juicy with a perfectly crispy top! I have recently started eating pork & I’m loving how easy it is to roast it at home oven. Also, love the homemade spice rub – bookmarking to try soon.
Joann says
Umm I marinated my meat for 2 days because I forgot about it sigh I’m assuming it’s still ok to cook ?
byronethomas@gmail.com says
I would think so, yes. It might just be the most tender meat you’ve ever eaten if it’s been marinating that long! I assume it was refrigerated the whole time. 🙂
Joann says
Yes it was! It was very good! Will be using this recipe often! Thanks 👍🏻
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Joann! 🙂
Laura f says
Is this the arm / “picnic” shoulder roast? Or the higher up one , aka “boston butt” shoulder roast?
Laura F says
OOPS! BELAY my last comment…Just realised my mistake. (Sorry. Its evident on your FIRST LINE OF THIS recipe , aint it?).
Randy says
I made this for dinner tonighteveryone loved it ! Followed the recipe exactly as printed only change was cooking time during the 3 hrs stretch ( decreased by 1/2 hr do to size being slightly smaller ) . I chose green beans and rice for sides with a homemade chimichuri sauce . Thank you for this recipe it will definately be in the rotation from here on ! Sorry no pictures