Dominican Style Pernil | Boneless Pork Shoulder

pork shoulder

🥗Healthier: chicken thighs

💰Cheaper: pork butt

Chicken thighs are lower in fat, while pork butt is often more affordable.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil has a higher smoke point and is healthier.

adobo seasoning

🥗Healthier: homemade spice blend

💰Cheaper: store-brand seasoning

Homemade blends can be tailored to taste and often cost less.

sazon seasoning

🥗Healthier: turmeric and paprika mix

💰Cheaper: generic seasoning mix

Turmeric adds color and flavor without extra cost.

Remove the pork shoulder from its packaging and clean it with less than 1 cup of regular white vinegar, lime juice, and water, massaging it on both sides for 5-10 minutes.

Make small incisions in the pork shoulder on both sides to allow the marinade to penetrate.

In a food processor, combine 1 small white onion and 1 head of garlic and blend until minced.

Add 1.5 tablespoons of salt, 0.5 tablespoons of oregano, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of thyme, 0.5 teaspoons of cumin, and 1 chicken bouillon cube to the food processor and blend into a paste.

Add the juice of 1 orange (about a little over half a cup) and 0.125 cups of olive oil to the mixture and blend until combined.

Wear gloves and massage half of the marinade into the pork, ensuring it gets into the incisions, then pour the rest of the marinade over the pork and massage it in.

Cover the pork with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to marinate.

After marinating overnight, place the pork in a slow cooker on high for about 4 hours, checking and basting occasionally.

After 2.5 hours, flip the pork to ensure even cooking.

After 4 hours, check the tenderness of the pork; if not tender enough, continue cooking for another hour.

Once tender, remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it in the oven under the broiler at 500°F for 5-10 minutes to crisp the top.

After broiling for about 6 minutes, check the pork; it should be tender and easily shreddable.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: