Peruvian Roasted Pork : A Flavorful Weeknight Dinner

This mouthwatering Easy Peruvian Roasted Pork comes together in about 4 hours (mostly hands-off time) and is roasted to perfection for a easy dinner that your family will love! You can switch up the marinade ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftover veggies. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner option that packs tons of flavor and comfort.

Ingredient Breakdown

  • Pork Shoulder
  • Garlic (10 cloves, minced)
  • Cumin (2 tsp)
  • Smoked Paprika (2 tsp)
  • Fresh Oregano (1 tbsp) (or 1 tsp dried)
  • Salt (2 tsp)
  • Black Pepper (1 tsp)
  • Orange Juice (1 cup, freshly squeezed)
  • Lime Juice (1/4 cup, freshly squeezed)
  • Olive Oil (2 tbsp)

Let’s Get Cooking!

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pork (15 minutes) : Start by rinsing the pork shoulder under cold water and patting it dry. This step ensures that there’s no excess blood or residue. I suggest trimming excess fat, but leave a little for moisture, too much fat can lead to greasy meat.

  2. Make the Marinade (10 minutes) : In a medium bowl, combine the minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, fresh oregano, salt, black pepper, orange juice, lime juice, and olive oil. Whisk it all together until it’s super well combined. The smells at this point? Oh boy, it’s heavenly!

  3. Marinate the Pork (4 hours to overnight) : Rub the marinade generously all over the pork shoulder, massaging it in to really infuse those flavors. Cover the pork tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, overnight is even better! If you’re like me, you’ll want to make this the night before for incredible flavor.

  4. Preheat your Oven (15 minutes) : Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). While it’s heating, let the marinated pork come to room temperature. This is essential for even cooking, no one likes a cold center!

  5. Roast the Pork (3-4 hours) : Place the marinated pork in a roasting pan (I like to use a rack if I have one, so the heat circulates). Roast for about 3-4 hours or until it’s fork-tender, checking occasionally. The house will smell amazing, by the way!

  6. Crisp the Skin (30 minutes) : For that coveted crispy skin, increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) in the last 30 minutes of roasting. It’ll transform into that crispy goodness we all crave.

  7. Let it Rest (15 minutes) : Once the pork is done, let it rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This step ensures all those delicious juices stay locked in. Trust me, it makes a world of difference!

Peruvian Roasted Pork

Why I Love This Recipe

This Easy Peruvian Roasted Pork is my go-to recipe on busy weekends when I want to impress my family with minimal effort. The flavor is absolutely incredible like, “I might just eat this straight off the pan” incredible! I’m a real sucker for a dish that brings people together, and this one does it beautifully. The best part is you can engage your imagination; using whatever leftovers you have or adding your favorite ingredients makes it versatile and fun.

If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Coca-Cola Pork Loin, my Japanese Ginger Pork, or my Green Pork Tamales!

Why This Recipe Works

Comfort Food

This dish is loaded with tons of flavor, and there’s something about the roasted meat that just feels like a warm hug from the inside. Everyone at the table will be happy, and that’s a win in my book!

Quick & Easy

While the cooking time is long, mostly it’s hands-off, meaning you can go about your day while the oven does the heavy lifting. Comes together all in one pot; you just need to mix the marinade and let it do its magic.

Customizable

You can use whatever ingredients you have on hand! Switch up the citrus with whatever you fancy or toss in some herbs from your garden. It’s the perfect “clean out the fridge” meal!

Make-Ahead Friendly

This dish tastes even better the next day, as leftovers, it’s fantastic! Mix it into salads, sandwiches, or even tacos, and you’ll still feel like a culinary genius. Seriously, meal prep at its finest.

Crowd-Pleaser

It’s a surefire way to impress guests or feed a hungry crowd. Everyone loves pulled pork, right? And if the aroma wafts through the house, they’ll start gathering around the kitchen even before it’s ready.

Serving Suggestions

This flavorful Easy Peruvian Roasted Pork is fantastic on its own, but I love serving it with:

  • Rice or Quinoa: Both soak up the juices beautifully. You can fluff them up with a little cilantro or lime for an extra zing.
  • Coleslaw: A light, crunchy coleslaw cuts the richness of the pork and adds a refreshing touch.
  • Grilled Vegetables: Somehow, grilled zucchini or peppers add that perfect complement to each bite.
  • Fresh Tortillas: Create delicious tacos filled with the succulent pork, topped with fresh salsa.

Storage and Reheating

  • Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) covered with foil to keep it moist, or pop it in the microwave for a quick fix.
  • Freezer-friendly: Yes! Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Just make sure to seal them well to prevent freezer burn.

A Few Tips Before You Start

  • Use a Meat Thermometer: For perfectly cooked meat (min 195°F for pull-apart tenderness).
  • Fat Trim: Don’t over-trim the fat; a little helps keep the meat moist, trust me!
  • Resting Time: Letting the meat rest is non-negotiable, it ensures the juices redistribute.

With this Peruvian Roasted Pork recipe, you’ll have a comforting, flavorful dinner that the family will rave about for days! So go on, gather your ingredients and make some delicious memories! Follow LunaChef on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration and air fryer cooking tips.

Peruvian Roasted Pork

Peruvian Roasted Pork

This mouthwatering roasted pork comes together in about 4 hours and is roasted to perfection for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love!
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Peruvian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Pork
  • 1 piece Pork Shoulder Bone-in preferred for more flavor.
Marinade Ingredients
  • 10 cloves Garlic, minced The more garlic, the better!
  • 2 tsp Cumin Ground coriander can substitute.
  • 2 tsp Smoked Paprika Regular paprika can substitute.
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Oregano Use less if using dried oregano.
  • 2 tsp Salt Kosher salt preferred.
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper Freshly cracked is ideal.
  • 1 cup Orange Juice, freshly squeezed Fresh-squeezed juice enhances flavor.
  • 1/4 cup Lime Juice, freshly squeezed Can substitute with lemon juice.
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil Extra virgin recommended.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Rinse the pork shoulder under cold water and pat it dry. Trim excess fat while leaving some for moisture.
Making the Marinade
  1. In a medium bowl, combine all marinade ingredients: minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, fresh oregano, salt, black pepper, orange juice, lime juice, and olive oil. Whisk until well combined.
Marinating
  1. Rub marinade all over the pork, massaging it in. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Roasting
  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Let the marinated pork come to room temperature.
  2. Place marinated pork in a roasting pan (use a rack if available) and roast for about 3-4 hours or until fork-tender.
Crisping the Skin
  1. In the last 30 minutes of roasting, increase oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) for crispy skin.
Resting
  1. Once done, let the pork rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing to retain juices.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Warm in the oven or microwave as needed.

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