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Pan con Lechon

A classic Cuban sandwich packed with tender mojo-marinated roast pork and sautéed onions on crispy toasted bread.

170 minMediumServes 4620 cal/serving

CubanLunchOven and StovetopStandardHigh ProteinNut-FreeDairy-FreeSoy-FreeEgg-FreeShellfish-FreeSesame-FreeAlcohol-FreeNightshade-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

  • 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder, trimmed
  • 8 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup sour orange juice
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 yellow onion, sliced
  • 4 Cuban bread rolls, halved

Instructions

  1. 1

    Mix 8 minced garlic cloves, 1 cup sour orange juice, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 2 tsp salt in a bowl to create mojo marinade.

  2. 2

    Rub marinade over 3 lbs trimmed boneless pork shoulder, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for 2.5 hours until internal temperature reaches 185°F.

  3. 3

    Rest boneless pork shoulder for 15 minutes, then shred using two forks.

  4. 4

    Warm 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet, then cook 2 sliced yellow onion over medium heat until tender.

  5. 5

    Fill 4 halved Cuban bread rolls with shredded boneless pork shoulder and sautéed yellow onion, then press and toast until crunchy.

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Questions

How long does Pan con Lechon take?

As written, 170 minutes: 20 of prep and 150 of cooking. The longest single stretch is step 2 (2.5 hours): "Rub marinade over 3 lbs trimmed boneless pork shoulder, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for 2.5 hours until internal temperature reaches 185°F."

What internal temperature should Pan con Lechon reach?

For Pan con Lechon, the target internal temperature is 350 F (about 175 C), given in step 2. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork. The target internal temperature is 185 F (about 85 C), given in step 2. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Why rest the meat in Pan con Lechon?

Step 3 reads: "Rest boneless pork shoulder for 15 minutes, then shred using two forks." Heat drives the juices toward the center. The rest in step 3 lets them spread back out, so they stay in the meat instead of running onto the board when you cut.

Can I make Pan con Lechon gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Pan con Lechon is 4 Cuban bread rolls, halved. Swap the bread or crumbs for a gluten-free loaf or gluten-free panko. Everything else proceeds as written.

How many calories are in Pan con Lechon?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) is about 620 calories, with 42 g protein, 48 g carbohydrate and 26 g fat, plus 3 g fiber and 880 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

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