Mojo pork is a classic Cuban marinated pork dish that is full of flavor. The marinade, also called mojo, packs a citrusy punch from fresh orange and lime juices. Garlic, cumin, oregano, and olive oil round out the marinade to infuse the pork with tons of flavor. Mojo pork is easy to make, requiring just a few ingredients, and it can be prepared oven roasted, grilled, or pan seared. The crispy, flavorful pork pairs well with rice, beans, and fried plantains for a delicious Cuban-style meal.
Ingredients in Mojo Marinade
The mojo marinade has just a handful of ingredients that come together to make an incredible flavor profile. Here are the main ingredients used:
- Fresh orange juice – Provides bright, citrusy flavor
- Fresh lime juice – Adds tartness and acidity to balance out the marinade
- Garlic – Provides aromatic flavor and depth
- Cumin – Earthy, warm spice flavor
- Oregano – Herby, slightly bitter flavor
- Olive oil – Binds ingredients and carries flavors, adds richness
- Salt – Essential for bringing out flavors
- Black pepper – Bit of heat and spice
The fresh orange and lime juices are really the star of the show, giving the pork a tangy citrus flavor. Garlic and cumin add layers of aromatic depth. Oregano provides herbal notes while the olive oil binds the marinade and carries the flavors. Salt and black pepper give essential seasoning. Additional ingredients like bay leaves, chili powder, cayenne pepper, or vinegar can also tweak the flavor.
Cuts of Pork Used
Mojo pork can be made with just about any cut of pork. The most common choices are:
- Pork shoulder – Very flavorful with marbling, stays juicy when cooked
- Pork loin – Leaner and tender, often cut into chops
- Pork tenderloin – Extremely tender and lean
- Pork butt – Rich in fat and connective tissue, braises well
Pork shoulder is a top choice because it has great marbling that keeps it juicy and flavorful, even with quicker cooking methods. Pork loin chops or tenderloin can also be excellent options. Heavier cuts like pork butt may be best for slower braising or roasting methods so they become fall-apart tender.
Marinating Process
Marinating is key for mojo pork to get maximum flavor infusion. The basic process is:
- Combine all marinade ingredients and mix well.
- Add pork and massage marinade into meat.
- Cover and refrigerate for 1-8 hours, longer for more flavor.
- Discard leftover marinade and pat pork dry.
- Cook as desired – roast, grill, pan sear, etc.
The meat should marinate for a minimum of 1 hour, but longer is better. Overnight marinating up to 8 hours really allows the flavors to permeate deep into the pork. Make sure to discard any leftover marinade before cooking to avoid bacteria.
Cooking Methods
Mojo pork can be cooked using a variety of different methods, all yielding delicious results. Here are some of the most popular cooking methods:
Oven Roasted
Oven roasting is a simple hands-off method. The pork roast cooks low and slow to become super juicy and tender:
- Preheat oven 325°F
- Place marinated pork roast on sheet pan
- Roast approximately 20 minutes per pound
- Rest, slice, and serve
Grilled
Grilling imparts delicious charred flavor from the pork caramelizing over the open flame:
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat
- Grill chops, tenderloin, or shoulder steaks for 4-7 minutes per side
- Flip only once to get grill marks
- Rest pork, then serve
Pan Seared
Pan searing is quick and yields a crisp crust on the pork:
- Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat
- Add pork chops, tenderloin medallions, or steaks
- Brown for 2-3 minutes per side until done
- Make pan sauce from fond if desired
Braised
For tougher or fattier cuts like pork shoulder or butt, braising is ideal:
- Brown pork all over in Dutch oven
- Add braising liquid like stock, wine, or juice
- Simmer covered on stovetop or in oven until fork tender
- Reduce sauce and serve pork
The options are endless for how to cook mojo pork based on the cut used and cooking method desired. The marinade adds so much flavor, almost any cooking technique will result in delicious Cuban-style pork.
Serving Suggestions
Mojo pork is very versatile and can be served in many ways. Here are some top serving suggestions:
- Over white rice – Soaks up delicious juices
- In tacos or burritos – Excellent taco meat
- On Cuban sandwiches – Typically with ham, cheese, pickles
- With black beans and rice – Classic Cuban pairing
- In lettuce wraps – Fresh, light meal
- On nachos or baked potatoes – Hearty loaded topping
- In empanadas – Savory hand pie filling
- On pizza – Tasty alternative to pepperoni or sausage
- In pasta dishes – Toss with ziti, penne, or spaghetti
- On salad – Warm pork over fresh greens
The pork can be kept warm and sliced or shredded to be served in many creative ways. It also stores well refrigerated for 3-4 days, so leftovers can be enjoyed in future meals.
Common Side Dishes
While mojo pork is delicious on its own, pairing it with complementary sides completes the dish. Some classic pairings include:
- White rice – Essential base to any Cuban-style meal
- Black beans – Savory, protein-rich side
- Maduros – Sweet fried plantains
- Yuca fries – Crispy, starchy fries
- Beans and rice – Traditional mix of black beans and rice
- Tostones – Twice fried green plantain slices
- Cuban salad – Iceberg lettuce, tomato, avocado
Sides like fried plantains, yuca fries, beans and rice give a taste of classic Cuban flavor. Fresh Cuban salad also pairs nicely. And you can never go wrong with basic white rice or black beans.
Substitutions and Variations
The basic mojo marinade can be tweaked in many ways to suit different tastes. Some substitutions or variations include:
- Using naranja agria instead of orange juice – More sour citrus flavor
- Adding vinegar – Cider, white wine, or red wine vinegar
- Using sour orange juice – Can be hard to find, excellent flavor
- Adding chili powder – Mild heat and smokiness
- Using bay leaves – Herbal, earthy depth
- Adding cilantro – Fresh herby flavor
- Using lime instead of lemon – More floral citrus notes
- Subbing rump roast for pork shoulder – Still juicy and flavorful
- Using chicken instead of pork – Lighter alternative
Feel free to experiment with the mojo marinade and use different cuts of pork, other proteins like chicken, or alternate marinade flavorings until you find just the right blend for your tastes.
Nutrition Information
One 3 oz serving of mojo pork provides:
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| 122 | 4g | 0g | 18g |
Pork is an excellent source of high quality protein and also provides vitamins and minerals like niacin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc. The mojo marinade adds tons of extra flavor without many additional calories, fat, carbs, or sodium when fresh citrus juice and herbs are used.
Cost Breakdown
Here is an approximate cost breakdown for a basic mojo pork recipe serving 4 people:
| Ingredient | Amount | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pork shoulder (2 lbs) | 2 lbs | $8 |
| Orange juice | 1 cup | $0.50 |
| Lime juice | 1/4 cup | $0.25 |
| Garlic | 4 cloves | $0.20 |
| Cumin | 1 Tbsp | $0.05 |
| Oregano | 1 Tbsp | $0.10 |
| Olive oil | 1/4 cup | $0.40 |
| Total | $9.50 |
At around $2.40 per serving, this makes a budget-friendly yet flavor-packed main course. Buying store brand juices and spices can help lower the cost even further.
Tips for Making Mojo Pork
Use these tips for making the most delicious mojo pork at home:
- Use fresh squeezed citrus juice – Bottled juice won’t have the same bright flavor
- Marinate overnight if possible – Longer marinating means more flavor infused into the meat
- Pat pork dry before cooking – Allows for nice caramelization on the exterior
- Use herbs sparingly – The marinade should complement, not overwhelm the pork
- Cook to safe internal temperature – Use a meat thermometer for accuracy
- Let pork rest before slicing – Allows juices to redistribute evenly
- Serve with traditional Cuban sides – Rice, beans, and plantains complete the dish
- Garnish with lime wedges – Fresh citrus brightens up the flavor
With just a little advance planning and some simple techniques, you can make restaurant-worthy mojo pork at home any night of the week.
Conclusion
Mojo pork gets its signature flavor from a marinade of fresh citrus, garlic, cumin, oregano, and olive oil that perfectly complements the pork. Long marinating times allow the seasonings to permeate the meat for full flavor. While classic cuts like pork shoulder work great, the mojo can jazz up just about any cut of pork. Oven roasting, grilling, pan searing, and braising are all excellent cooking methods. Served alongside traditional Cuban sides like rice, beans, and fried plantains, mojo pork makes for an amazing island-inspired meal. With just a few ingredients, you can enjoy flavor-packed Cuban-style pork right at home.