My SECRET to Perfect Puerto Rican Pernil | You Won't Believe This! 😯🔥

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.

Clean the pork shoulder with vinegar and lime juice, adding salt to ensure it's thoroughly cleaned.

Rinse the meat and skin thoroughly with cold water until the water runs clear.

In a bowl, mix crushed garlic, soprito, bouan, olive oil, vinegar, and lime juice to create the marinade.

Make crisscross slits in the pork on the top and bottom to allow the seasoning to penetrate.

Rub the marinade all over the pork, ensuring to get into the slits.

Cover the pork with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days.

On cooking day, pat the pork down with paper towels to remove moisture.

Place the skin in a separate pan, pat it dry with paper towels, and sprinkle with salt to draw out moisture.

Cover the skin with aluminum foil and refrigerate until it's time to cook.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Add warm broth to the pork before placing it in the oven.

Cover the pork with aluminum foil and cook in the oven at 350°F for about 5 hours.

Uncover the pork and continue cooking for about another hour until done.

Shred the pork, pouring the drippings over the meat for flavor.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: