Crispy Cuban roast pork (Lechon asado)

Crispy Cuban roast pork (Lechon asado)

This flavorful, amazing crispy pork is a must during the holidays. We have recreated the traditional Cuban recipe with a pressure cooker version, using pork shoulder. Great for the holidays or meal prep any time of the year.
December 21 2018 recipe, photo by , nutritional review by in Recipes, Main course

Crispy Cuban roast pork (Lechon asado)

This flavorful, amazing crispy pork is a must during the holidays. We have recreated the traditional Cuban recipe with a pressure cooker version, using pork shoulder. Great for the holidays or meal prep any time of the year.
USMetric
6 servingservings

Ingredients

  • 4½ lbs 2 kg boneless pork shoulder
  • 4 tsp 4 tsp fine salt
  • 2 tsp 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp 2 tbsp fresh oregano (5 sprigs)
  • 1 (4 oz.) 1 (110 g) large red onion, dicedlarge red onions, diced
  • 4 4 garlic clovegarlic cloves
  • 1 1 orange, juicedoranges, juiced
  • 2 2 lemon, juicedlemons, juiced
  • ¼ cup 60 ml olive oil
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Instructions

Instructions are for 6 servings. Please modify as needed.

  1. Rub the salt into the pork shoulder and place in a large bowl.
  2. Combine the rest of the marinade ingredients in a food processor and pulse to combine.
  3. Pour this all over the pork and massage it into the meat. Cover and set to marinate in the fridge for at least eight hours, turning over halfway during the marinade time.
  4. Before cooking, let the pork sit at room temperature for an hour.
  5. Place in the pressure cooker or Instant Pot, fat side up. Pour the marinade all around it.
  6. Cook on high for 50 minutes. If using a slow cooker, cook on low for 8 hours.
  7. When it is done cooking in the appliance, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
  8. Place the pork shoulder fat side up on a sheet pan and roast for 30 minutes until it is golden and crisp all over.
  9. While the pork crisps in the oven, reduce the fluid left behind in the pressure cooker for 20 minutes.
  10. Shred the pork shoulder into large chunks and pour the reduced marinade all over.

Tip!

Perfect over Cauliflower rice! Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 6 days. To reheat, sauté shredded meat in a skillet for 6 minutes.

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14 comments

  1. 1
    Leigh Batten
    October 29 2019
    WOW!!! I made this at the weekend (4 servings), made the marinade on Saturday morning and marinated the pork for 24 hours, then cooked on low in my slow cooker for 8 hours on Sunday, then popped in a hot fan oven for 45 minutes whilst I cooked roasted radish 'potatoes'. The marinade was reduced by 2/3rds on the hob to a thick sticky gravy... words can't describe how good this is! Very rich with all the pork fat, might even get 6 servings out of a 1.5kg joint next time. I've been on the Keto woe for 3 months now and hubby and I both agree this is the best Keto meal we've had so far :)
  2. 2
    Andrea
    December 17 2019
    this is the best lechon aside i have ever had. it was truly amazing. i never thought i would be able to duplicate this flavor. but wow! I didn't have sevilla oranges so I just used what i had and it turned out great.
  3. 3
    Sally
    January 18 2020
    do you use the whole lemon and whole orange or just the juice but not the peel etc?
    Reply: #4
  4. 4
    Reply to comment #3 by Sally
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    January 18 2020

    do you use the whole lemon and whole orange or just the juice but not the peel etc?

    You are just using the juice of the orange and lemon.

  5. 5
    lisa109
    March 31 2020
    Everyone in the family LOVED this roast. I used a regular orange, not the Seville. I marinated the roast overnight - for about 24 hours. It was amazing! I am going to use this recipe the next time I have guests over. Definitely a favorite.
  6. 6
    Carrie
    May 20 2020
    I love this recipe - the flavors are wonderful and I serve it over cauliflower rice. I cut the pork into cubes and cook in a heavy pot - the old fashioned way. (don't own a pressure cooker). Easy peasy to let it slow simmer until tender. I have frozen leftovers for future dinners and it freezes well. Just a great dish!
  7. 7
    Amy
    July 21 2021
    Amazing! I used Mojo marinade (what I had, instead of lemons/oranges). Delish! Served with squash on the side one night, broccoli another night. Used the slow cooker method, followed by time in the oven to crisp up. YUM!
    Reply: #8
  8. 8
    Reply to comment #7 by Amy
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    July 21 2021

    Amazing! I used Mojo marinade (what I had, instead of lemons/oranges). Delish! Served with squash on the side one night, broccoli another night. Used the slow cooker method, followed by time in the oven to crisp up. YUM!

    Yes, crisping it up in the oven really takes it up a notch!

  9. 9
    Francois
    December 25 2021
    I've mad this recipe twice and my normally picky teenager started requesting more. Highly recommended. If you don't like the texture of onions, mince them very thin. The 8 hours of marinating followed bu 8 hours in a slow cooker makes them liquid when you're done.
    Reply: #10
  10. 10
    Reply to comment #9 by Francois
    Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor
    December 27 2021

    I've mad this recipe twice and my normally picky teenager started requesting more. Highly recommended. If you don't like the texture of onions, mince them very thin. The 8 hours of marinating followed bu 8 hours in a slow cooker makes them liquid when you're done.

    So glad you and your picky teen love it! Great tip about the onions!

  11. 11
    sheila
    February 4 2022
    First Keto recipe I have tried and my husband and I enjoyed this very much! it was easy and delicious we will be doing this again.
    Reply: #12
  12. 12
    Reply to comment #11 by sheila
    Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor
    February 7 2022

    First Keto recipe I have tried and my husband and I enjoyed this very much! it was easy and delicious we will be doing this again.

    Awesome! So glad you both enjoyed it!

  13. 13
    Donna Voets
    October 28 2022
    This was amazing ….made according to recipe and used my instant pot…..Thanks for such a great recipe.
    Reply: #14
  14. 14
    Reply to comment #13 by Donna Voets
    Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor
    October 31 2022

    This was amazing ….made according to recipe and used my instant pot…..Thanks for such a great recipe.

    Great! Love that you used your Instant Pot!

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