Cuban-style roast pork is marinated in a garlicky-citrus mojo sauce to deliver flavorful, succulent meat.

Go aheadwow your family two nights in a row!

This roast pork will give you an insiders view into our love of flavorful food.

Roasted mojo marinated pork roast sliced on a white platter with a bowl of red rice on the side.

Marta Rivera

What Is the Best Cut for Roast Pork?

Cuban roast pork can be made with either pork shoulder or Boston butt.

The difference between the two cuts of meat are minimal.

A baking tray with an uncooked pork roast inside. Wooden bowls of spices, as well as an onion, garlic and citrus fruit are placed to the right and above the pork.

Marta Rivera

Boston butts come from the top of the pigs forelegs, justabovethe pork shoulder.

I prefer a bone-in Boston butt,because it cooks faster and is more tender than the shoulder.

Bone, or no bone?

A clear blender pitcher has chopped onions, spices and liquid inside to make the best mojo marinated pork roast. Juiced limes, measuring cup, salt, spices and pork roast are set around the pitcher on a marble background.

Marta Rivera

Yeah, I have twins to put through college, so that dollar-twenty is valuable to my bank account.

Cost and juiciness are enough to make the bone worth dealing with, right?

What Is Mojo Marinade?

Top view of mojo marinated pork roast with a dark crust sits on a white platter. A bowl of fried plantains and a bowl of red rice are above the pork.

Marta Rivera

I polled my friends and family, and there’s no English translation for mojo.

Sorry, I tried.

The explanation is simple:Mojo is just a garlic and bitter orange-based marinade with lots of oregano.

A white plate of sliced cuban style pork shoulder with marinade spooned on top. Fried plantains and red rice are on the plate as well.

Marta Rivera

Mojo is used to flavor a wide variety of meats in Caribbean cuisine prior to cooking.

How to Make Mojo Without Bitter Oranges

Mojo is traditionally made using the juice from bitter oranges.

If you have access to them, its worth seeking out the difficult-to-find bitter orange to make authentic mojo.

Caramelized mojo marinated pork roast with four juicy slices cut from it. A small white bowl of marinade rests next to a larger bowl of red rice.

Marta Rivera

Hey, sometimes you have to work with what youve got!

How Long to Marinate Cuban Pork Roast?

Dont marinate the pork for more than 24 hours, or youll risk mushy meat.

Side view of blender pitcher set on a marble background with limes, oranges and halved grapefruit next to it. A person is putting spices in the pitcher.

Marta Rivera

What to Serve With Cuban Pork Roast?

Acool, crunchy slawis another great accompaniment to slices of roasted pork.

Be sure to ladle over a generous amount of the mojo sauce, as well.

Top view of blender container with pureed marinade inside. Juiced limes, measuring cup, salt, spices and pork roast are around the pitcher and on a marble background.

Marta Rivera

What to Do With Leftover Pork Roast?

Leftovers are one of the blessings this recipe provides.

But,my favorite way to repurpose Cuban pork roast is in sandwiches or quesadillas.

A baking sheet rests on a marble background with a raw pork shoulder in it. A hand with a chef’s knife is cutting deep slits in the roast.

Marta Rivera

If you have leftovers, you must chop some up to use inCubano sandwiches.

Theres no if, ands, or buts about it!

In fact,Ive made this Cuban pork roast for the sole purpose of making Cubanos!

Cuban-style pork shoulder submerged in marinade in a clear plastic container. The container sits on a marble background.

Marta Rivera

Be sure to have mojo sauce on hand for dipping!

Store the cooked, shredded pork in freezer bags for up to two months.

When youre ready to serve it, thaw it under refrigeration and reheat as needed.

Cuban-style pork roast covered in golden marinade and resting on a rack in a roasting pan. The pan rests on a marble background.

Marta Rivera

Need More Pork Roast Recipes?

Cuban-Style Roast Pork

Use fresh lime juice for this mojo marinade.

Bottled lime juice just doesnt give the brightness and crisp flavor that fresh limes impart.

Cuban-style pork roast with a crispy crust resting in a roasting pan.

Marta Rivera

Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the mixture for the sauce and set it aside.

You will use what remains to marinate the pork.

This will help the marinade penetrate the inner part of the roast.

Mojo marinate in a sauce pan. A small glass bowl with thickened marinade and a tablespoon rest on a marble background to the right.

Marta Rivera

Place the pork in a bowl or dish large enough to hold the meat.

Pour the mojo marinade thats still in your blender or food processor over the pork.

Give the pork a turn to coat it in the marinade and cover the dish.

Creamy golden sauce in a pan with a whisk. Hand holding a spoon dripping sauce over pan.

Marta Rivera

Marinate the pork for 4-12 hours in the refrigerator.

After the meat has marinated, transfer it to a roasting pan (with or without a rack).

When the roast is ready, remove it from the oven.

The top will be beautifully caramelized from the sugars and the aromatics that were in the mojo.

Mojo is pungent and can be overwhelming in its raw form.

To serve it as a sauce, its best to cook it to soften the harshness a bit.

Allowing the mojo to simmer will mellow out the garlic and onion flavors considerably.

The sauce is ready when it reaches the consistency of maple syrup.

Transfer the sauce to a serving bowl.

The mojo sauce may be served hot, cold, or at room temperature.

Serve it with a side of rice and beans and plantains.

Pour the sauce over the sliced portions of pork after serving.

Any leftover mojo sauce should be covered and stored in the refrigerator.