Slow Cooker Cuban Pork (Mojo Pork)

A citrus based marinade adds flavor and tenderness to slow cooker Cuban pork. Change up your normal routine of pulled pork with this unique flavor combination. 

A nice long soak overnight in an easy-to-make marinade make this Cuban pork, aka Mojo pork, a winner. Slow cooked all day, it’s fall apart tender with lots of garlicky citrus flavor and juicy onions.

We love this tender pork served in a bowl with cilantro lime rice, black beans, and pico de gallo. Be sure to include a wedge of lime to squeeze over the contents of the bowl. Add fried plantains for a traditional Cuban dish.

But don’t stop there! Cuban pork is absolutely perfect for Cuban paninis, or Cubanos. Layered with sliced ham, dill pickles, mustard, and Swiss cheese, and pressed into a crispy, buttery panini sandwich, you’ll be glad you made a really big batch of pork. 

Like any pulled pork, Cuban pork is wonderful piled on a bun or wrapped in a tortilla with lots of toppings, too. So versatile and delicious, you’ll find yourself turning to this easy recipe often. It’s perfect for game day or tailgate parties!

Not crazy about pork? Or maybe you don’t have all day to slow cook. Try one pan Cuban chicken and rice. The fresh pineapple salsa is so yummy! Actually the salsa is really good with this pulled pork, too. 

About this recipe

The base of the marinade is freshly squeezed lime juice and orange juice. The acid from the citrus helps to tenderize the meat. Garlic, oregano, cumin and bay leaves give it plenty of traditional Cuban flavor. Marinating the pork overnight and slow cooking it for hours makes the meat so tender it will melt in your mouth.

Before adding the marinade, pierce the meat deeply in several places to allow the flavor to seep into the meat.

Put the whole business into a sturdy zip top bag and set the bag in a pan or dish in the fridge. You don’t want to take any chances of the raw meat dripping into your fridge and making a big mess!

In the morning, empty the contents of the bag into your crockpot, add a bunch of sliced onions on top, and get it cooking. Slow cook for ten to twelve hours on Low, or five to six hours on High.

When the pork is fall-apart tender, remove it from the slow cooker, shred it, and put it back into the pot to keep warm. The tender shredded meat is ready to add to whatever dish you’re preparing, whether it’s a bowl with rice and beans, or on sandwich, panini, or tortilla.

Look for the printable recipe card near the end of the post for the complete recipe containing measurements, instructions, and nutrition information.

What you’ll need

Boneless Pork Shoulder – Look for one that is about 3 pounds. If you can’t find boneless, bone-in will also work, you’ll just need to remove the bone when it has finished cooking.

Onion – Look for a nice big one! You’ll slice this and place it on top of the pork to flavor it as it cooks.

Freshly Squeezed Lime and Orange Juice – The citrus juices infuse the pork and give it incredible flavor.

Seasonings & Spices: You’ll need fresh garlic, dried oregano, ground cumin, bay leaves, salt and pepper.

FAQs

Make-Ahead Ideas

Make Cuban pork ahead of time, up to four days in advance. It will be ready to use for a variety of meals. Freeze it in serving size containers to use later.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Cuban pork will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days. After it’s cooled down a bit, refrigerate it in a tightly sealed container.

You can also freeze it for up to 3 months, or even more. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheat slowly in a heavy pan on the stovetop or in your slow cooker until it’s heated through, adding a little chicken broth if it seems dry. To reheat individual-sized portions, you can use the microwave but it may dry out the meat slightly.

More great ways to cook pork

Whether it’s slow cooked, pressure cooked, or made in the oven, pork is always a good choice. Try:

• Instant Pot Pulled Pork (ready in one and a half hours, start to finish)
• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with plum bourbon barbecue sauce
• Slow Cooker Pork Tacos
• Instant Pot Carnitas
• Mango Bourbon Pulled Pork (slow cooker!)
• Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pork Loin with balsamic glaze
• Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast
• Breaded Air Fryer Pork Chops
• Breaded Pork Chops with Herbs and Parmesan