Lechon / Pernil al Horno / Tender and Juicy Roasted Pork Shoulder with Crispy Skin

whole pig

🥗Healthier: chicken

💰Cheaper: pork shoulder

Chicken is lower in fat, while pork shoulder is more affordable.

rock salt

🥗Healthier: sea salt

💰Cheaper: table salt

Sea salt offers a similar flavor with less processing.

soy sauce

🥗Healthier: tamari

💰Cheaper: liquid aminos

Tamari is gluten-free and offers a similar taste.

vinegar

🥗Healthier: apple cider vinegar

💰Cheaper: white vinegar

Apple cider vinegar adds a unique flavor profile.

Poke holes into the inner side of the pork shoulder to infuse seasoning.

Flip the pork shoulder over and peel the skin back without removing it.

Cut slits into the meat to allow seasoning to penetrate.

Insert one whole garlic clove into each hole, pushing deep into the meat.

Insert whole cloves into the holes as well, one clove per hole.

Prepare the seasoning mix (apiece) by combining 2 bell peppers, 1 large onion, a bunch of scallions, 10 garlic cloves, a bunch of fresh thyme, a bunch of parsley, and 1 scotch bonnet pepper in a food processor.

Add 1.5 tablespoons of salt, 1 tablespoon of black pepper, 1 tablespoon of whole cloves, 2 tablespoons of adobo, 1 sachet of accent seasoning, and 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the food processor.

Blend the ingredients to create the seasoning mix, then add 1 tablespoon of lime juice and 1/4 cup of olive oil.

Spread the apiece seasoning all over the meat, ensuring it gets into the holes and slits, but avoid putting it on the skin.

Add tabasco sauce to all sides of the meat and under the skin, using a good amount.

Sprinkle sassone accent seasoning and adobo on the meat, ensuring even coverage.

Cover the skin back over the meat and add more sassone accent and adobo on top of the skin.

Optionally marinate in the refrigerator for a day, or cook immediately.

Cook the pork shoulder at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 4.5 hours total: 2 hours 15 minutes covered, then 2 hours 15 minutes uncovered.

If using a roasting pan without a cover, wrap it tightly with aluminum foil.

After the first half of cooking time, uncover the pork shoulder for the second half of cooking.

Check for crispy skin and tender meat after cooking, tapping the skin with a fork to demonstrate.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: