Puerto Rican Pernil - Learn How To Cook A Pork Roast | Traditional Puerto Rican Food

pork shoulder

🥗Healthier: chicken thighs

💰Cheaper: pork butt

Chicken thighs are lower in fat, while pork butt is often less expensive than shoulder.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil offers a healthier fat profile, while vegetable oil is budget-friendly.

adobo seasoning

🥗Healthier: homemade spice blend

💰Cheaper: basic spices

A homemade blend can reduce sodium and cost.

vinegar

🥗Healthier: apple cider vinegar

💰Cheaper: white vinegar

Apple cider vinegar adds flavor and is often more nutritious.

Preheat the oven to 250°F.

Prepare the pork shoulder with the skin on and bone in.

Make cuts in the pork to help the marinade penetrate.

In a bowl, mix vegetable oil, salt, adobo, dry oregano, sasón, ground thyme, and minced garlic to create the marinade.

Spread some of the marinade on the pork, ensuring to get it into the cuts.

Flip the pork skin side down and season the meat, then flip it back and add the remaining marinade on top.

Cover the pork with foil and place it in an oven-safe pan.

Cook in the preheated oven for 4 hours.

After 4 hours, remove the foil and save the juices from the pan.

Increase the oven temperature to 350°F and cook for an additional 3 hours.

Remove any large chunks of seasoning from the pan to prevent burning.

Raise the oven temperature to 450°F and cook for 15 minutes to crisp the skin.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: