How to Make Dominican Pernil, Puerco or Lechón Asado (Pork Roast)

sour orange juice

💰Cheaper: orange juice + lime juice

Combining orange and lime juice mimics the tangy flavor of sour orange.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Vegetable oil is a cost-effective alternative for roasting.

adobo seasoning

💰Cheaper: garlic powder + onion powder + paprika

Homemade mix can replicate adobo flavor at a lower cost.

bay leaves

💰Cheaper: dried thyme

Thyme can provide a similar aromatic quality.

In a blender, combine and blend together all the ingredients for the seasoning (green olives, capers, chopped onion, peeled garlic cloves, black pepper, cubanelle pepper, lime juice, and kosher salt) to obtain a coarse paste.

Place the leg of ham on a baking tray skin side down. Carve deep holes in the meat on the opposite side of the skin. Keep a distance of about 3 inches between each hole. Don't perforate the skin. Using a teaspoon, stuff the holes with the seasoning mixture, pour on the leg, and spread over the remaining seasoning (the side opposite to the skin).

Cover the leg tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 24 hours.

Place skin-side-up on a roast tray lined with aluminum foil, and with a wire rack. Pat dry the skin with paper towels. Rub the skin with kosher salt. Cover the leg loosely with aluminum foil. Heat the oven to 350°F [175°C].

Cook in the oven 20 minutes per lb of meat, or until the internal temperature reaches 75 °C [165 °F], start measuring at 4 hrs cooking time for a 12 lb leg, inserting the tip of the meat thermometer reaching the center of the leg. Once cooked per the instructions above, remove the aluminum foil and return to the oven to cook until the skin is golden brown. If you prefer the skin bubbly, and crackly, finish cooking in the broiler.

Remove from the oven, cover with a clean tea towel, and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes before serving. If you wish to keep it warm without it drying out, you can place it in an icebox after resting, and serve it up to two hours later.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: