Cuban Mojo Pork

I make a quick Mojo Marinade with citrus juice, lots of garlic, and some select herbs. Then, I cook the pork slow and low for hours, letting it soak up all that citrusy Mojo goodness. This recipe is perfect for the crockpot – it’s dump and go, super easy, and always turns out amazing! I made our Mojo Marinade quite early in GypsyPlate’s journey. I love how simple, everyday ingredients can create a bomb of flavors. This marinade is very versatile, and you can make cracking delicious Cuban Food with a simple whisk of a few ingredients. Today’s Mojo Pork is a very traditional Cuban recipe, and can be found on many restaurant menus.

What is Mojo Pork

Mojo Pork is a flavorful and iconic dish from Cuban cuisine. At its heart, it involves pork, often a shoulder or butt, that’s marinated in mojo, a traditional Cuban marinade. The meat is cooked slow and low, resulting it fork tender meat. It’s often shredded and served along with the juices it creates during cooking. Some recipes are cooked in a crockpot, and some are roasted in the oven. I personally love to cook it in a crockpot, as it gets juicy and tender, and then crisp it just a little by either broiling or baking it for a few minutes. The end result is extremely delicious.

What is Cuban Mojo

Mojo is a signature marinade in Cuba, pronounced “MO HO”. It’s a mix of citrus juices, fresh onion, garlic, herbs, and olive oil. Every Cuban household has their own version. Some use olive oil, some don’t. I personally think olive oil helps keep the meat moist, especially with lean cuts. Traditionally, Mojo uses sour oranges, similar to Seville oranges. Many Cubans in Florida have their own sour orange tree. If you can’t find them, don’t worry! You can still make delicious Mojo by mixing different citrus fruits. Today I just used a mix of orange, lime and lemon juice in our marinade to make Mojo Pork, and it still gives lip-smacking results. Use whatever citruses are available to you.

What Cut of Pork to Use

For Mojo Pork, I always go for a cut of pork with plenty of marbling and connective tissue. It becomes really tender and flavorful during slow cooking. The best cuts come from the shoulder, like picnic roast or Boston butt. They’re nicely marbled and full of flavor, making them perfect for Mojo Pork. Pork loin is a leaner option compared to the shoulder, but it can still work well if cooked properly. It’s a good choice if you prefer leaner meat, but keep in mind that cooking times may vary, especially in a crockpot.

Ingredients Needed

Pork – I used a large chunk of pork shoulder today. For Mojo Marinade – Olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, garlic, dried oregano, salt, pepper, chopped onion, chopped cilantro.

Mojo Pork Recipe:

1. Make a quick Mojo Marinade: I simply mix all of the ingredients for Mojo marinade.
2. Prep the meat: I like to make a few slits all over the surface of the pork. If I have the time, I’ll let the pork marinate for 4-6 hours for maximum flavor.
3. Cook Mojo Pork in a crockpot: I place the pork shoulder in the crockpot and pour the prepared Mojo marinade over it, making sure the pork gets well coated. Then, I cover it and cook on high for 5-6 hours, or on low for 8 hours, until the pork is tender. It’s as simple as that!
4. Crisp up the pork (optional but very highly recommended step): To crisp up the pork, I gently transfer it to a lightly greased baking sheet. Then, I bake it in an oven preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15-20 minutes, or until it starts to brown and crisps up a bit.
5. Shed the Pork: After baking, I shred the pork using forks and serve it with the cooking juices for extra flavor. Sometimes I make a quick sauce with leftover juices. For quick Mojo Sauce: After taking the pork roast out of the slow cooker, I skim off any fat from the top of the liquid. Then, I pour all the liquid into a saucepan and heat it over medium-high heat. In a separate bowl, I dissolve 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water to make a slurry. I stir this cornstarch mixture into the cooking liquids, and keep stirring until the sauce thickens slightly. If I want it thicker, I can add more cornstarch slurry until it reaches my desired consistency. Finally, I serve this delicious sauce over the Mojo Pork.

Tips and Tricks

Serving Suggestions

I love to serve Mojo Pork along with Cuban Black Beans, rice and fresh orange slices. You can also throw in some Tostones or Maduros for a very special Cuban night. Though it’s not traditional to have mojo pork in tacos, I highly vouch for Mojo Pork Tacos with some avocado… delicious!! You can make pulled pork sandwiches, quesadillas, or our Pulled Pork Nachos with it.

Can I Roast Mojo Pork in the Oven?

Certainly! When I’m ready to roast the marinated pork, I take it out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Then, I preheat the oven to 275°F. I remove the pork from the marinade and place it in a baking pan. I pour some marinade on top of the pork, then cover it with foil. I put the foil-covered pork in the oven and roast it for 3 hours. After that, I turn the oven temperature up to 325°F and remove the foil. I use a large spoon or ladle to baste the pork with the pan drippings. I continue roasting and occasionally basting for another 2-3 hours. The pork is done when it’s fork-tender, meaning the meat can be easily pierced with a fork without resistance and falls apart easily with a little pressure. Once the pork is done, I take it out of the oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes before shredding. The next time you’re having a get together, or just looking for something super easy to cook with your favorite pork butt, try my easy Cuban pork recipe. Introduce these easy, delicious flavors to your friends and family. Load the pork up with those irresistible garlicky, citrusy flavors and enjoy it as a center piece for your next Cuban night. I betcha, you will cook up best tasting Mojo pork, maybe a tad bit better than your local neighborhood Cuban restaurant.

Mojo Pork, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!

Try these other great pork recipes! Italian Braised PorkKalua PorkBarbacoa PorkPozole RojoJägerschnitzelPork VindalooPork Stir FryChile VerdeTonkatsuPernil