Authentic Puerto Rican Pernil Recipe
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Description
Pernil is a traditional Puerto Rican dish that is typically served during holidays, special occasions, and family gatherings. It consists of a slow-roasted pork shoulder that is marinated with a blend of herbs and spices, resulting in a tender and flavorful meat. This dish is a staple in Puerto Rican cuisine and is often served with rice, beans, and plantains.Prep Time
Preparation for this recipe takes approximately 15 minutes.Cook Time
Cooking time for this recipe takes approximately 4 hours.Ingredients
- 1 (8-10 pound) bone-in pork shoulder
- 1 head of garlic, peeled
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking dish or roasting pan
- Food processor or mortar and pestle
- Meat thermometer
Method
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- In a food processor or mortar and pestle, combine the garlic, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Pulse or grind until you have a paste-like mixture.
- Add the olive oil, orange juice, and white vinegar to the herb mixture and stir to combine.
- Using a sharp knife, score the pork shoulder with a criss-cross pattern. This will allow the marinade to penetrate the meat better.
- Rub the herb mixture all over the pork shoulder, making sure to get it into the score marks and all over the surface of the meat.
- Place the pork shoulder in a baking dish or roasting pan, fat side up.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and roast in the preheated oven for 3 hours.
- Remove the foil and continue roasting for another hour, or until the internal temperature of the pork shoulder reaches 195°F.
- Remove the pork shoulder from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
- Serve the pernil with rice, beans, and plantains.
Notes
For an extra-crispy skin, remove the foil during the last 30 minutes of cooking and increase the oven temperature to 425°F.Nutrition Info
One serving of pernil (4 ounces) contains approximately:- Calories: 325
- Protein: 31g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 350mg
Recipe Tips
- Make sure to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork shoulder. It should reach 195°F for optimal tenderness.
- Let the pork shoulder rest for at least 10-15 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.
- If you can't find a bone-in pork shoulder, you can use a boneless one instead. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- If you don't have a food processor or mortar and pestle, you can use pre-ground spices instead of whole ones.
Enjoy this authentic Puerto Rican pernil recipe with your family and friends during your next special occasion or holiday gathering. The blend of herbs and spices will transport you to the island, and the tender and flavorful meat will have everyone asking for seconds!
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