• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Latina Mom Meals logo

  • Puerto Rican Recipes
  • Cuban Recipes
  • More Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Drinks
    • Desserts
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Puerto Rican Recipes
  • Cuban
  • Main Dishes
  • Soups
  • Desserts
  • Appetizers
  • Side Dishes
  • Drinks
  • Submit A Recipe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Puerto Rican Recipes
    • Cuban
    • Main Dishes
    • Soups
    • Desserts
    • Appetizers
    • Side Dishes
    • Drinks
    • Submit A Recipe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    • Coconut cookies stacked on top of each other.
      Coquito Cookies (Coconut Cookies)
    • frituras on a wooden cutting board
      Frituras de Malanga | Malanga Fritters
    • Coffee Flan Recipe | Flan de Cafe on a cake stand
      Coffee Flan
    • shrimp and vegetables in a red thick sauce in a stainless steel pan.
      Camarones Enchilados | Shrimp Stew
    • spaghetti, pork chops, and vegetables in a large cast iron pan
      Spaghetti with Pork Chops
    • close up of air fried chicken tenders
      Puerto Rican air fried chicken tenders
    • Adobo Seasoning Mix
    • Pinchos with lime wedges
      Grilled Pork Kabobs
    • graphic image collage with text for roundup
      Cinco de Mayo Menu Plan
    • white bowl with pickled bananas over white and black cloth
      Guineos escabache con mollejas
    • Homemade Puerto Rican Salami Soup | Sopa de Salchichon estilo Boricua
      Puerto Rican Salami Soup
    • pile of sazon on a white plate
      Homemade Sazon Seasoning
    Home » Tasty Recipes

    September 19, 2016 Cuban

    How To Make Authentic Cuban Pernil (Roasted Pork)

    A classic Cuban staple, pernil is a slow roasted pork should adored throughout all of Latin American communities. A simple marinade of garlic and citrus infuse the pork and the slow roasting ensures it's fall off the bone tender.

    pernil | roasted pork shoulder

    What is pernil? (Cuban pork shoulder)

    Pernil is the Spanish word for pork shoulder. In America, especially the northeast pernil is traditionally roasted in the oven. But lately, I've seen people go as far as to grill it. I mean, hey, go for it. But on the islands, they typically take a whole pork and roast it over an open fire.

     

    The flavors of pernil are very simple, the less the better. This is something my mom has always told me "salt, pepper, garlic"-those are the basics. Generously season your meat with it and you're good to go. But you know me, I don't leave well enough alone. I have to add some more flavors to my dishes.

    traditional pernil recipe

    How Do You Make Traditional Pernil? (Step by step directions for pernil -pork shoulder.)

    pernil-1

    First, you need to remove most of the skin from the meat, just leave enough on to keep it attached. Then with a knife, poke hole pockets all over the meat. Season with salt,pepper, and garlic.

    traditional pernil recipe

    Next, you're going to make a paste with oil and seasonings. Each pernil is going to weigh differently, feel free to make more or less.

    traditional pernil recipe

    This is why you're poking holes, get deep into the pockets for layers of flavor. Rub the paste in very well. Make sure you rub under the pork as well. Cover and refrigerate for 2-24 hours.

    traditional pernil recipe

    In the final 20 minutes or 2 hours (depending how long you're planning on marinating pork), add in a cup or so of Mojo or sour orange (">buy here). Make sure your meat is skin side up the whole time! (I use Mojo because it's easy, but if you're a purist, feel free to make your own.)

    The beauty of pernil is how long it takes to cook. This is why we hold onto this recipe for gatherings or holidays. Slow and low is the name of the game. I once met a man who put his pernil into the oven at midnight each night at only 300 degrees. By morning, the meat was falling off of the bone.

    Another beauty of pernil is the fact that there's an abundance of leftovers. Perfect to make Cuban Sliders or Pork Taquitos!

    roasted pork shoulder on a pan

    I hope you enjoy this recipe. Just like turkeys, each family has their own method and recipe, I'm sure you'll find a way to make this your own. Don't forget that like turkeys, pernil is perfect for leftovers! Leave a comment below and be sure to subscribe. As always, buen provecho.

    Recipe Video For Making Pernil (Cuban Pork Shoulder)

    traditional pernil recipe

    How To Make Authentic Cuban Pernil

    This Latin inspired pork recipe is a traditional staple in every Latin home. More commonly known as Pernil, this juicy pork meat is the great rival to Turkeys.
    4.12 from 59 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Dish
    Cuisine: Cuban, Latin
    Calories:
    Author: Neyssa Jump

    Ingredients

    • 12 pounds of picnic pork shoulder
    • 6 teaspoon of minced garlic about 6-8 cloves
    • 1 cup of mojo marinade
    • 3 teaspoon of salt
    • 1 teaspoon of pepper
    • 2 teaspoon of oregano
    • 3 teaspoon of olive oil
    • lime juice optional

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. (Once marinated for desired amount of time.)
    • In a large mixing bowl, with a sharp knife, carefully lift ¾ of the skin from the meat. Once skin is lifted, gently poke holes throughout meat.
    • Season generously with salt and pepper.
    • Fill holes with garlic.
    • Make a paste with oil and remaining seasonings. Generously rub pork with paste.
    • Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least two hours. After two hours, add in a cup of mojo to bowl, continue to marinate for another hour or overnight in fridge.
    • Into a large roasting pan, add pork, skin side up. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 5-7 hours. Remove foil and raise heat to 350 degrees for twenty minutes.
    • Remove from heat, let rest for ten minutes. Sprinkle lime juice before serving, if desired.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0g | Carbohydrates: 0g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 0mg | Potassium: 0mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 0IU | Vitamin C: 0mg | Calcium: 0mg | Iron: 0mg

    If you like this pernil recipe, you'll love these recipes!

    Cuban Recipes

    Instant Pot Cuban Ropa Vieja

    Cuban Yuca Con Mojo (cassava recipe)

    Cuban Black Beans

    Street Style Cuban Sliders

    More Tasty Recipes

    • croquettes on a gray plate
      Ham and Cheese Croquettes
    • pantry staples such as rice, flour, and seasonings
      Puerto Rican Pantry Staples
    • crispy chicken in air fryer basket
      Puerto Rican Fried Chicken
    • Pinterest image of rice in a bowl
      Puerto Rican Rice Recipes

    Keep up to date!

    Receive weekly emails with free recipes, advice, and more!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Richard Huber says

      January 02, 2021 at 9:51 am

      5 stars
      Came out fantastic. Only problem was that there were no leftovers. 🙂

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services
    • Media Kit
    • FAQ

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme