How I Make Cochinita Pibil Tortas at Home

achiote paste

🥗Healthier: smoked paprika

💰Cheaper: red chili powder

Smoked paprika provides a similar flavor profile at a lower cost.

pork shoulder

🥗Healthier: chicken thighs

💰Cheaper: pork butt

Chicken thighs offer a leaner option while still being flavorful.

Take banana leaves out of the freezer and defrost them at room temperature.

Cut two sections of banana leaves about two feet long each.

Place one banana leaf in the slow cooker going the long way and another going the short way.

Break half of a 3.5 ounce brick of achiote paste into pieces and place it in a mixing bowl.

Squeeze about 1/2 cup of lime juice into the bowl with the achiote paste.

Add salt to the bowl (using diamond crystal salt) and mix into a paste.

Put the boneless pork shoulder roast into the banana leaf-lined slow cooker.

Pour the marinade over and around the pork shoulder, ensuring it gets into the crevices.

Slice a large white onion crosswise and place the slices over the pork.

Fold the banana leaves over the pork and onions to cover them.

Add a little water to the slow cooker to create steam for cooking.

Turn the slow cooker on and set it to cook for 4 hours.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: