Instant Pot Mojo Pork (Cuban Pork Roast Recipe)

Flavorful and succulent Instant Pot Mojo Pork recipe is infused with a citrusy, garlicky, mojo marinade, guaranteeing that this Cuban-style roast pork delivers a mouthwatering explosion of flavors in every tender, juicy bite. 

With just a few simple ingredients and minutes of prep, you can have incredibly moist and delicious mojo pork ready in an hour thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot pressure cooking. Follow these simple, step-by-step instructions and make enough pork for dinner tonight and a whole new meal tomorrow.

Why We Love Cuban Mojo Pork

Our recipe is so easy to make! Using a simple marinade and the Instant Pot, our recipe is incredibly easy. It’s as simple as cutting up the meat, marinating it in some juice, and then cooking it on high pressure until it falls apart. This mojo pork recipe is so full of flavor and is one of the best ways to make tender juicy pork you will ever find.

There are so many ways to serve it. Just keep reading.

What is Mojo Pork?

A Cuban-style pork roast which has been marinated in a classic mojo sauce made with sour orange juice, spices (garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper), and oil. Also referred to as lechon asado.

What is Sour Orange Juice?

Bitter orange juice comes from a specific type of orange known as a bitter, bigarade, or Seville orange. An easy substitute for this specific type of juice can be made using our instructions below with lime and lemon juice.

Mojo Pork Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe

Sour Orange Juice

• Orange Juice. Do not use orange juice from concentrate.
• Fresh Limes.
• Fresh Lemons.

Cuban Mojo Marinade Ingredients

• Garlic Cloves.
• Salt.
• Black Peppercorns.
• Sour Orange Juice.
• Minced Onion.
• Dried Oregano.
• Sour Orange Juice.
• Olive Oil

Pork Roast

• Pork Shoulder. You only need one pound of meat to make four sandwiches, but generally, you will find the shoulder in four pounds or larger. You can fix it all and save some for later.

How To Make Mojo Pork

Please note, that the printable recipe card has the full list of ingredients, quantities, complete instructions, and nutritional information. The following is a quick overview of the recipe.

Step One. Make the Mojo Pork Marinade.

Combine fresh lemon, orange, and fresh lime juice in a large bowl. Mash the garlic, salt, and peppercorns into a paste. Stir in the sour orange juice, onion, and oregano. Let it sit for 30 minutes.

Note: I tried making this paste in a small food processor and it was difficult to get the peppercorns ground. The pestle worked the best.

Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and quickly whisk it into the garlic-orange juice mixture until well blended. Let cool before using it as a marinade.

Step Two. Cut up the pork and Marinate.

Cube the pork roast into large pieces using a sharp knife and pierce it several times with a fork. Add the pork to the Marinade. Marinate for 2 to 12 hours or overnight.

Step Three. Cook the Mojo Pork in Your Instant Pot.

Add the pork and the marinade to the instant pot. Cook it on high pressure for 60 minutes and allow a natural release.

Step 4: Shred and Serve

Remove the pork to a platter or cutting board and shred it with a fork.

Note: Pork is easier to shred while it’s still warm. You can pull it until completely shredded but we like to semi-shred it leaving delicious tender chunks.

Hostess Tips

• Use the right cut of meat. We used a bone-in pork shoulder roast and removed the meat from the bone for even cooking. A pork butt also known as a Boston butt which is also part of the shoulder would work as well. For tender pork, don’t use a lean cut such as a tenderloin. 
• We cooked the meat and the bone together in the instant pot for additional flavor. We’ve used these same instructions for a 7 lb bone-in pork shoulder.
• Cut the pork into large chunks for easy shredding later. Pieces around 3-4 inches are ideal.
• Sometimes recipes call for crispy shredded pork. You can put the shredded pork on a rimmed baking sheet and place it under the broiler for 5 to 10 minutes.

How to Serve Cuban Roast Pork Recipe

• Cuban mojo pork forms the foundation of several excellent Cuban sandwiches such as a Cubano Sandwich and a Medianoche Sandwich. 
• Another traditional way to serve this meat is alongside Red Beans and Rice (pictured above), or a side of Cuban Black Beans. Fried plantains followed by Rum Cake is a must in our opinion too!
• Tacos – Soft corn tortillas stuffed with shredded mojo pork, diced onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime make delicious Cuban-inspired tacos.
• Salad – Chunks of mojo pork tossed with lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and a tangy citrus vinaigrette dressing make a refreshing salad.
• Soup – Cubans also use leftover mojo pork in hearty bean or vegetable soups. The rich, citrusy flavor infuses the broth.

Is this Cuban Pork Recipe Taste Like? Is It Spicy?

You would think that the fresh citrus juice marinade would make the meat bitter or very citrusy. However, it has a mild savory flavor with garlic overtones.

The traditional recipe for mojo pork is not spicy. While some may argue that the peppercorns in the marinade add a little bit of heat, it is barely discernable if at all. We prefer to serve hot sauce on the side for those who like the heat.

Mojo Pork Slow Cooker Recipe

Add the marinade and the cubed pork to the slow cooker. Set the slow cooker to high heat. Cook time is approximately six hours to become fork tender. I recommend using a disposable slow cooker bag to make cleanup a breeze.

How To Reheat & Store Mojo Pork

The Best way to store Cuban-style Pulled Pork

Place your leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to four days.

Can I Freeze It?

Yes, Mojo Pork freezes fantastically. If you make more than you will need, simply freeze it in portions that work for your family, and you will have an easy weeknight meal for busy times.

How To Reheat Cuban-Style Roast Pork

Leftover mojo pork can be reheated in a microwave or saucepan with a little cooking liquid.

Ever since our son moved to Florida, we’ve fallen in love with Cuban food! One of my first recipes was this Medianoche Roll and it’s still one of our favorites. More recently we made a Cuban Bread recipe and a to die for Cuban Rum Cake! I hope you’ll give them a try.

I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.

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