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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Pork » Slow Cooker Cuban Mojo Pork

Slow Cooker Cuban Mojo Pork

by Sarah Olson on June 12, 2022 | Updated October 28, 2022 22 Comments

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collage of cuban pork images with text of ingredients.
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This garlic and citrus Slow Cooker Cuban Pork (Mojo Pork) is tender and flavorful! Excellent, along with rice for a complete meal. Slow cooked to perfection and a perfect meal to change up your menu plan.

If you want to use your slow cooker for another Cuban recipe, try my ropa vieja recipe for a flavor explosion!

shredded cuban beef with yellow rice on the side.

About two weeks ago, I tried Slow Cooker Mojo Pork for the first time at a potluck. I didn’t realize I needed a new recipe for pork until that day. The Cuban pork roast has an excellent citrus and garlic flavor, which is different from other shredded pork recipes. This recipe has ten garlic cloves in it and smells great while cooking.

overhead shot of the ingredients for cuban pork.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Pork Shoulder – This is often labeled as a pork butt or Boston butt. It has plenty of fat and flavor.
  • Citrus – You will need orange juice, lemon juice, and lime juice for this recipe. You will need one of each of these citrus fruits.
  • Mojo seasonings – Garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper
  • Olive oil – The olive oil, along with the citrus and mojo seasonings, creates a beautiful marinade for the porks (marinates while it cooks).
  • Onion – Cut the onion into rounds instead of half rounds for this Cuban pork recipe.

Step-by-Step Directions

cuban pork in slow cooker before shredding.

Step One – Add the pork shoulder to the crock pot. Cut small slits into the pork with a knife. Doing this will allow the entire pork to be flavored with the sauce.

Step Two – To a large bowl, add the olive oil, then cut the lemon, lime, and orange in half. Squeeze the juice out of the citrus into the bowl. Add the oregano, cumin, garlic, salt, and pepper. Whisk until combined. Pour this Cuban mojo sauce over the pork roast.

Step Three – Add the sliced onion rounds on top. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 10 hours.

Step Four – Shred the pork and remove any bones. Serve pork with black beans and rice, and enjoy!

top view of shredded Cuban pork in slow cooker garnished with limes

What goes well with Mojo Pork?

  • Cuban Black Beans – Make a big pot of black beans to serve with this pulled pork, and you will have something great in the fridge to eat all week!
  • Yellow Rice – I find packaged yellow rice mix at my grocery store! It has a fantastic flavor for a packaged rice! You can make Spanish rice or white steamed rice if you can’t find it.
  • Fried Plantains – While the average home cook may not make fried plantains, you may want to try it out if you want the whole Cuban experience.
  • Lime Wedges – I like to serve Cuban mojo pork with fresh lime wedges; lime juice really brightens the pulled pork.
  • Mojo Pork Tacos – Yes, I know, this is not a Mexican meal, but you can make the BEST tacos with Mojo pork, just wrap the shredded pork and onions up in charred corn tortillas
plate of cuban beef, limes and yellow rice.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this with a pork loin instead?

You can make Cuban pork with a pork loin, but it will be much leaner and taste more on the healthy side.

Can I use chicken instead?

You can use chicken thighs instead of the pork shoulder if desired. You will only need to cook on low for 8 hours.

Can I make this spicy?

Add two diced jalapenos to this recipe for a spicy dish. Or you can add one habanero instead.

Can I freeze this?

This is the type of meal that freezes very well! Freeze for up to three months in small ziplock bags or airtight containers.

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shredded Cuban pork in slow cooker with limes on top

Slow Cooker Cuban Mojo Pork Recipe

4.59 from 17 votes
Citrus and garlic are slow cooked all day with a pork shoulder, this makes a tender and flavorful shredded pork.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cuban
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 hours
Total Time: 10 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 392kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 5 lbs pork shoulder
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil, extra virgin
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 lime
  • 1 orange
  • 1 Tbsp. dried oregano (leaf, not ground)
  • 1 Tbsp. ground cumin
  • 10 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 1 white onion, cut into rounds
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • Add the pork shoulder to the slow cooker. Using a small knife cut slits into the pork, about an inch down.
  • In a large bowl add the olive oil. Cut the lemon, lime and orange in half. Squeeze the juice out of the citrus into the bowl. Add the oregano, cumin, garlic, salt and pepper. Whisk until combined.
  • Pour the mixture over the pork roast. Using a spatula squish the garlic and sauce into the pork.
  • Add the onion rounds.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 10 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
  • Shred the meat with 2 forks and remove the bone. I left about half of the juices with the meat to keep it moist.
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How to Video:

Recipe Notes:

Can I use a pork loin?
You can make Cuban pork with a pork loin, but it will be much leaner and taste more on the healthy side. You will only need to cook for 7 hours on low.
Can I use chicken?
You can use chicken thighs instead of the pork shoulder if desired. You will only need to cook on low for 7 hours.
Can I make this Spicy?
Add two diced jalapenos to this recipe for a spicy dish. Or you can add one habanero instead.
Can I freeze?
This is the type of meal that freezes very well! Freeze for up to three months in small ziplock bags or airtight containers.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 392kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 151mg | Sodium: 367mg | Potassium: 891mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 85IU | Vitamin C: 18.3mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 4.5mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

More shredded pork recipes:

  • Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
  • Slow Cooker Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
  • Slow Cooker Carnitas
  • Slow Cooker Pork Stuffed Sweet Potatoes (All in one pot)
  • Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast
  • Slow Cooker Jalapeno Pork Tacos

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    6407 shares
    • 1268

    Filed Under: Dinner, Pork

    Comments

    1. Laura Albritton says

      October 9, 2022 at 8:08 am

      Would the 8 hour setting on the crock pot work also? I got it started too late for the 10 hour option. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        October 9, 2022 at 9:18 am

        I would do 6 on low and the last two hours on high (or vise versa).

        Reply
    2. Txnea says

      September 5, 2022 at 4:07 pm

      2 stars
      I followed the recipe exactly and thought it was a bit bland

      Reply
      • Karen says

        September 9, 2022 at 10:55 am

        I realize this is a slow cooker recipe, but can I bake it in the oven? I want to do this for dinner tonight but don’t have 10 hours to cook in the crock pot.

        Reply
        • Sarah Olson says

          September 9, 2022 at 1:54 pm

          It would still take a long time in the oven, like 3+ hours. I’m unsure how long though. You’ll need a dutch oven-style pot.

    3. Philip A Eisenwasser says

      January 31, 2021 at 12:17 pm

      Do you think it will come out good if I add chopped up bell peppers and mushrooms in it

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 31, 2021 at 3:57 pm

        I think those are great additions.

        Reply
        • Cubana says

          November 27, 2021 at 6:19 pm

          Bell peppers don’t mesh with the flavor of this dish, and mushrooms aren’t something very common to Cuban cuisine.

    4. Mimi says

      January 14, 2021 at 1:45 pm

      Add this today….it was AMAZINGLY flavorful. I threw in the juices from my olives, and added some pasillo chilies that I had just fried for another recipe….definitely adds that smoky Mexico flavor.
      EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT. I cooked on high in my crock pot for the 5 hours.

      Reply
      • Cubana says

        November 27, 2021 at 6:10 pm

        Mexican flavor in a Cuban dish is just disrespectful.

        Reply
    5. Mallory says

      September 20, 2020 at 2:50 pm

      1 star
      The meat was super tender which was awesome. We weren’t a fan of the taste but maybe that was something I did wrong.

      Reply
      • Berlyque says

        October 16, 2022 at 1:27 pm

        I have not made this yet but in looking at the recipe, it should be calling for sour orange. You can find that in Hispanic markets. They also have mojo criollo which should work well

        Reply
    6. Candice says

      June 12, 2020 at 7:30 pm

      5 stars
      Made this and served it as a semi Cuban sandwich (minus ham). It was amazing! My house smelled delicious the whole day while I cleaned for the party. Served with fried plantains and mojitos.

      Reply
    7. Gail Sprague says

      August 19, 2018 at 11:41 am

      How many does thus serve?

      Reply
      • Candice says

        June 12, 2020 at 7:31 pm

        I served it as sandwiches for a group of 8 people and had plenty of leftovers

        Reply
    8. bob linke says

      February 6, 2018 at 5:47 am

      where would we find dried oregano leaves??? why not just use the powder???

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        February 6, 2018 at 6:52 am

        Leaf oregano to me is easier to find than ground, it’s usually higher up on the spices shelves at the store (still in a jar, like ground). Ground is very potent and a tablespoon may ruin this dish. If you have to use ground, cut the amount in half at least. 🙂

        Reply
    9. Carlos Llarena says

      February 5, 2018 at 4:30 pm

      Congratulations in not adding anything Hot like Habaneros, Serranos and things like that because we never, ever use them in our cuisine. I would double the garlic and cut the cumin down to 1 tsp as it would overpower the tastes and then be more middle eastern than cuban. As for the orange, if you could find sour oranges, that would be ideal.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        February 5, 2018 at 5:03 pm

        Thanks for the tips Carlos. I will try next time.

        Reply
      • Christine Creel says

        February 5, 2018 at 8:28 pm

        What kind of rice did you use?

        What other sides would you serve with the pork? Back beans, fried plantains?

        Reply
        • Sharon Reyes says

          December 24, 2019 at 7:09 am

          Traditional Cuban sides include sweet plantains (maduros), yuca (a potatoe-like root), fried plantains, black beans with rice (white or yellow). Then, serve flan and Cuban coffee for dessert and you have a perfect Cuban meal!

        • Cesar says

          April 25, 2021 at 1:45 pm

          I also agree with Carlos.]

          I would also add 1tsp of smoked Spanish paprika.

          You forgot the Cuba Libre.

          I’ll be making this next week.

          Thank you for your recip, bye for now.
          Have a nice dat & stay safe.

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