How to Roast a Pork Picnic Shoulder in the oven | Pernil Recipe

pork shoulder

🥗Healthier: turkey breast

💰Cheaper: pork loin

Turkey is leaner and pork loin is less expensive.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil is healthier while vegetable oil is often cheaper.

orange juice

🥗Healthier: fresh grapefruit juice

💰Cheaper: canned orange juice

Grapefruit juice is lower in sugar, while canned juice is more affordable.

adobo seasoning

🥗Healthier: homemade spice blend

💰Cheaper: individual spices

Homemade blends can be healthier and using individual spices can save money.

Introduce the recipe and mention the use of pork picnic shoulder for a budget-friendly meal.

Prepare homemade green seasoning made from thawed herbs, yellow onions, green peppers, ginger, garlic, and scallions, blended into a fine paste.

Inject the pork picnic shoulder with the green seasoning after cooking it slightly to avoid clogging the injector.

Rinse the pork shoulder with vinegar and dry it off.

Lift the skin of the pork shoulder without removing it completely, trimming minimally as needed.

Season the pork with Goya seasoning, ensuring to season well to penetrate the meat.

Cover the pork and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld.

Remove the pork from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 1.5 hours before cooking.

Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).

Prepare a roasting pan with rosemary, a whole yellow onion, smashed garlic cloves, celery, carrots, and whole peppercorns.

Add 3/4 cup chicken stock and 1.5 cups dry white wine to the pan to maintain moisture during cooking.

Place the pork in the roasting pan and ensure it is well-seasoned and dry.

Roast in the oven at 325°F, checking the liquid level after 2 hours and estimating a total cooking time of 3 to 4 hours.

After about 6 hours, check the internal temperature of the pork, aiming for around 180°F.

Increase the oven temperature to 475°F to crisp the skin, rotating the pork as needed for even cooking.

Crisp the skin for about 20-25 minutes until it reaches the desired texture.

Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest before preparing the gravy.

Pour the drippings from the pan into a fat separator to separate the fat from the gravy.

Heat the fat in a pan and use it to make the gravy, adjusting the color as desired.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: