Pernil (Puerto Rican Roast Pork Shoulder)

Elevate your holiday table or family feast with Pernil, a traditional Puerto Rican roast pork shoulder that’s bursting with bold, savory flavors. This iconic dish features a succulent, bone-in pork shoulder marinated in a vibrant blend of garlic, fresh oregano, cumin, lime juice, and sazón with achiote, then slow-roasted to perfection. The highlight? The irresistibly crispy skin, achieved with a quick blast of high heat at the end. Perfectly seasoned and melt-in-your-mouth tender, Pernil is a true celebration of Puerto Rican cuisine. Serve it alongside rice, beans, or any festive sides for a showstopping centerpiece that’s as aromatic as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:270 mins

Total Time:300 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 5 pounds bone-in pork shoulder
• 8 cloves garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 0.25 cup fresh lime juice
• 0.25 cup vinegar
• 0.25 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
• 1 packet sazón with achiote

Directions

Step 1

Begin by preparing the marinade. In a food processor, combine garlic cloves, fresh oregano, ground cumin, black pepper, salt, lime juice, vinegar, and olive oil. Pulse until the mixture forms a smooth paste.

Step 2

Place the pork shoulder on a clean surface. Using a sharp knife, carefully score the skin in a crosshatch pattern, ensuring not to cut too deeply into the meat.

Step 3

Rub the pork generously with the prepared marinade, making sure to get the paste into all the nooks and crannies.

Step 4

Sprinkle the pork shoulder with the adobo seasoning and sazón with achiote packet, patting it into the surface lightly.

Step 5

Transfer the pork shoulder to a large dish or tray, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.

Step 6

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).

Step 7

Remove the pork shoulder from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature while the oven heats.

Step 8

Place the marinated pork shoulder in a roasting pan with the skin side up.

Step 9

Cover the pan with aluminum foil, ensuring it's tightly sealed, and roast in the oven for about 4 to 4.5 hours, or until the meat is tender and the bone wiggles easily.

Step 10

Increase the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and remove the foil to crisp up the skin. Continue roasting for an additional 30 minutes, or until the skin is golden and crispy.

Step 11

Remove the pernil from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes before slicing.

Step 12

Serve warm, and enjoy your deliciously fragrant and tender pernil with your favorite sides.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2540.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6354.1

Total Fat 513.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 167.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.3g
Cholesterol 1587.6mg	0%
Sodium 17383.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 36.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.7g	0%
Total Sugars 1.5g
Protein 413.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 456.8mg	0%
Iron 35.7mg	0%
Potassium 6890.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 72.0%

Protein: 25.8%

Carbs: 2.2%