Authentic Cochinita Pibil
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Authentic Cochinita Pibil! This traditional Mexican dish features slow-roasted pork shoulder marinated in aromatic spices and citrus juices, wrapped in banana leaves for a mouthwatering taste. Serve it with delicious mild and spicy salsas for a feast that captures the essence of Mexican cuisine. Perfect for gatherings, this recipe produces tender, flavorful pork that practically melts in your mouth, inviting you to relish every bite. Share this cultural treasure with friends and family for an unforgettable meal!
N/A
Servings
630
Calories
27
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground annatto seed
1 tablespoon (Ground (achiote))
Coriander seed
1 tablespoon (Whole)
Peppercorn
1 tablespoon (Whole)
Ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (Ground)
Salt
1 teaspoon (To taste)
Ground cloves
3 whole cloves (Ground)
Garlic cloves
3 (Minced)
Fresh oregano
2 sprigs (Roughly chopped)
Habanero pepper
1 (Seeded and chopped)
Limes
8 (Juiced)
Bone-in pork shoulder
4 pounds (2 kg) (N/A)
Banana leaves
8 (Soaked)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (30 ml) (N/A)
Fresh cilantro leaves
1 bunch (Finely chopped)
Habanero pepper
1 (Seeded and diced for salsa)
Red onion
1 (Diced)
Seville oranges
1 (Juiced)
Salt
To taste (N/A)
Black pepper
To taste (Freshly ground)
Tomatoes
4 (Seeded and diced)
Limes
3 (Zest and juice)
Fresh cilantro leaves
1 bunch (N/A)
Onion
1 (Diced)
Salt
To taste (N/A)
Black pepper
To taste (N/A)
Baguette
4 sections (N/A)
Tortillas
4 (N/A)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2
Prepare the recado by placing the ground annatto, coriander seeds, peppercorns, ground cinnamon, salt, ground cloves, minced garlic, chopped oregano, and chopped habanero in a food processor. Blend until you form a smooth paste, gradually adding the lime juice for consistency.
3
Rub a generous amount of the recado mixture over the pork shoulder, ensuring thorough coverage.
4
Take half of the soaked banana leaves and lay them in a large roasting pan. Place the seasoned pork shoulder on top and cover it with the remaining banana leaves. Pour the leftover recado over the pork.
5
Cover the pan tightly with a lid or aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 6 hours, or until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.
6
While the pork is cooking, prepare the mild salsa: In a bowl, mix together the olive oil, chopped cilantro, diced onion, and Seville orange juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to use.
7
For the spicy salsa: Combine the diced tomatoes, lime zest, lime juice, chopped cilantro, diced habanero, and diced onion in another bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until serving.
8
Once the pork is ready, shred it into pieces. Serve with sections of baguette or warm tortillas, ladling on the flavorful sauce and garnishing with the two refreshing salsas.
Nutrition Information
37.5g
Fat
36.25g
Carbs
45g
Protein
3.75g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Authentic Cochinita Pibil?
It is a traditional Mexican dish featuring slow-roasted pork shoulder marinated in aromatic spices and citrus juices, typically wrapped in banana leaves.
What cut of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 pounds (2 kg) of bone-in pork shoulder.
What is the recommended cooking temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 325°F (160°C).
How long does the Cochinita Pibil need to bake?
It should bake for approximately 6 hours until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.
What are the ingredients for the recado paste?
The recado includes ground annatto, coriander seeds, peppercorns, cinnamon, salt, cloves, garlic, oregano, habanero, and lime juice.
Why are banana leaves used in this recipe?
Banana leaves are used to wrap the seasoned pork, which helps lock in moisture and adds a distinct traditional flavor.
How many calories are in one serving?
One serving contains approximately 630 calories.
What is the protein content of this dish?
Each serving provides about 45g of protein.
Does this recipe include a spicy salsa?
Yes, a spicy salsa is made with tomatoes, lime, cilantro, habanero, and onion.
What are the components of the mild salsa?
The mild salsa consists of olive oil, chopped cilantro, diced onion, and Seville orange juice.
How many habanero peppers are needed in total?
Two habanero peppers are used: one for the recado and one for the spicy salsa.
How should the pork be prepared after cooking?
Once the pork is ready, it should be shredded into pieces before serving.
What can Cochinita Pibil be served with?
It can be served with sections of baguette or warm tortillas, garnished with both mild and spicy salsas.
How much fat is in this recipe?
The dish contains 37.5g of fat per serving.
What kind of citrus is used for the mild salsa?
Seville orange juice is used specifically for the mild salsa.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 36.25g of carbohydrates per serving.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe requires 3 minced garlic cloves.
Is there fiber in this dish?
Yes, there are 3.75g of fiber per serving.
What is 'achiote' in this recipe?
Achiote refers to the ground annatto seed used in the recado mixture.
How many limes are needed for the whole recipe?
A total of 11 limes are used: 8 for the marinade and 3 for the salsa zest and juice.
What type of onion is used in the salsa?
The recipe specifically lists 1 red onion for the salsa preparation.
How many banana leaves are required?
The recipe calls for 8 soaked banana leaves.
What spices are used in the recado?
It uses ground annatto, coriander seeds, peppercorns, cinnamon, and cloves.
Should the tomatoes be seeded for the salsa?
Yes, the 4 tomatoes should be seeded and diced.
Is cilantro used in both salsas?
Yes, chopped cilantro is a key ingredient in both the mild and spicy salsa recipes.
How is the recado consistency achieved?
By gradually adding lime juice to the food processor while blending the spices.
How many whole cloves are used?
The recipe uses 3 whole cloves that are ground.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
Is this recipe suitable for gatherings?
Yes, the description notes it is perfect for gatherings and captures the essence of Mexican cuisine.
What is the role of Seville oranges?
The juice of Seville oranges provides a traditional acidic and citrusy base for the mild salsa.