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Lechon Asado

Slow roasted pork shoulder marinated in garlic, citrus juice, and aromatic spices. The meat becomes tender and juicy with a crisp outer crust.

200 minMediumServes 8480 cal/serving

CubanDinnerOvenHigh ProteinLow CarbKetoPaleoGluten-FreeNut-FreeDairy-FreeSoy-FreeEgg-FreeShellfish-FreeSesame-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

  • 4 lbs bone-in pork shoulder, trimmed
  • 1 cup sour orange juice
  • 10 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper, ground

Instructions

  1. 1

    Whisk 1 cup sour orange juice, 10 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp dried oregano, 2 tbsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp ground black pepper in a bowl to create the mojo marinade.

  2. 2

    Score the fat cap on the 4 lbs trimmed bone-in pork shoulder and pour marinade over top, rubbing it into the cuts.

  3. 3

    Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

  4. 4

    Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and place pork fat-side up in a deep roasting pan with juices.

  5. 5

    Roast uncovered for 3 hours until tender and internal temperature reaches 185 degrees F.

  6. 6

    Rest pork 20 minutes before slicing or pulling apart.

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Questions

What is Lechon Asado?

Slow roasted pork shoulder marinated in garlic, citrus juice, and aromatic spices. The meat becomes tender and juicy with a crisp outer crust. This reference files it under Cuban dinner: made in the oven, rated medium and about 200 minutes start to finish.

What temperature do I cook Lechon Asado at?

For Lechon Asado, the oven is set to 325 F (about 165 C) in step 4. The longest stretch at that heat is 3 hours, in step 5. The target internal temperature is 185 F (about 85 C), given in step 5. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Why score it in Lechon Asado?

Step 2 reads: "Score the fat cap on the 4 lbs trimmed bone-in pork shoulder and pour marinade over top, rubbing it into the cuts." The shallow cuts in step 2 let fat render and seasoning reach further in, and they keep the surface from curling as it tightens in the heat.

Is Lechon Asado keto-friendly?

A serving of Lechon Asado carries 3 g of carbohydrate. Against a strict 20 g keto day that is 15 percent of the budget; against a moderate 100 g low-carb day it is 3 percent.

Can I start Lechon Asado the day before?

Yes. Step 3 is a built-in pause of overnight, or about 8 hours: "Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight." Do everything up to that point ahead of time and pick up at step 4 when you are ready to finish.

Serve it with

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