Cuban-style roast pernil

pork shoulder

🥗Healthier: turkey breast

💰Cheaper: pork loin

Turkey breast is leaner, while pork loin is more affordable.

orange juice

🥗Healthier: fresh grapefruit juice

💰Cheaper: canned orange juice

Grapefruit juice offers similar acidity with fewer calories.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil has health benefits, while vegetable oil is budget-friendly.

bay leaves

🥗Healthier: dried thyme

💰Cheaper: dried basil

Thyme adds flavor without the cost of bay leaves.

Start by mashing garlic cloves with kosher salt in a mortar and pestle to create a paste.

Add olive oil to the garlic and salt mixture to help achieve a slurry consistency.

Incorporate black pepper and cumin into the mixture and continue mashing until well combined.

If you don't have a mortar and pestle, blend the ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Prepare the pork by peeling back the skin to allow the marinade to penetrate the meat.

Make slits in the meat to help the marinade infuse flavor.

Rub the garlic and spice mixture all over the pork, ensuring it gets into the cuts and under the skin.

Insert whole garlic cloves into the slits made in the pork.

Wrap the pork in foil, ensuring the foil does not touch the skin to prevent sticking.

Place the wrapped pork in the oven to cook.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary