Zesty Cuban Mojo Shredded Pork
Elevate your culinary experience with this Zesty Cuban Mojo Shredded Pork, a dish designed to fill your kitchen with the enchanting aroma of garlic, herbs, and citrus. This recipe celebrates the vibrant flavors of traditional Cuban cuisine through a two-step cooking process. Marinate the pork overnight in a fragrant blend of lime juice, oregano, and thyme, allowing the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat for ultimate tenderness. The next day, crisp up the shredded pork, infusing it with onions, more garlic, and fresh cilantro for a zesty finish. Perfect for serving with Cuban black beans, in sandwiches, or wrapped in warm tortillas adorned with your favorite toppings, this dish is sure to impress at any mealtime!
N/A
Servings
233
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless pork chops
1.5 lbs (well-trimmed of fat (about 2 large))
water
to cover
lime
1 (juice of)
dried oregano
1 teaspoon
dried thyme
1.5 teaspoons
garlic
6 cloves (sliced)
black peppercorns
12
sea salt
to taste
olive oil
2 tablespoons
onion
1 (thinly sliced)
garlic
3 cloves (minced)
lime
1 (juice of)
fresh cilantro
1/4 cup (chopped)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, combine enough water to cover the pork, juice of 1 lime, dried oregano, dried thyme, sliced garlic, and black peppercorns.
2
Bring the mixture to a boil, then carefully add the trimmed boneless pork chops.
3
Reduce the heat to low, cover tightly, and let it simmer for about 1 hour, or until the pork is tender and nearly falling apart.
4
Once cooked, season the broth with coarse sea salt to taste, then remove from heat and let the pork cool in the broth overnight in the refrigerator to deepen the flavor.
5
The next day, carefully take the pork out of the broth and shred it using two forks, discarding any remaining fat.
6
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat, then add the shredded pork to the pan.
7
Sauté the pork for about 5 minutes, or until it begins to crisp up slightly.
8
Add the thinly sliced onion and minced garlic into the skillet and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions and garlic are fragrant and slightly browned.
9
Squeeze the juice of another lime over the mixture, then fold in the freshly chopped cilantro, ensuring all ingredients are combined.
10
Serve hot with accompaniment of your choice, such as Cuban black beans, sandwiches, or tortillas.
Nutrition Information
12
Fat
5
Carbs
25
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Cuban Mojo Shredded Pork?
It is a flavorful Cuban-inspired dish where pork is simmered with citrus and herbs, chilled overnight, and then sautéed until crisp with onions and garlic.
What cut of meat is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1.5 lbs of well-trimmed boneless pork chops.
What are the primary flavor components of the mojo?
The primary flavors come from lime juice, garlic, dried oregano, and dried thyme.
How long should the pork simmer?
The pork should simmer for approximately 1 hour or until it is tender and nearly falling apart.
Why is the pork cooled in the broth overnight?
Cooling the pork in the cooking liquid overnight helps the meat retain moisture and allows the flavors to deepen significantly.
What ingredients are added to the initial boiling pot?
The initial pot contains water, lime juice, dried oregano, dried thyme, sliced garlic, and black peppercorns.
How do I shred the pork?
After removing the pork from the broth, use two forks to pull the meat apart, making sure to discard any remaining fat.
What is the first step on the second day of cooking?
The first step is to shred the pork and then heat olive oil in a large skillet to sauté the meat.
How long do I sauté the shredded pork before adding onions?
Sauté the pork for about 5 minutes until it begins to crisp up slightly.
What aromatics are added during the sautéing process?
Thinly sliced onion and minced garlic are added to the skillet.
How many cloves of garlic are used in total?
A total of 9 garlic cloves are used: 6 sliced for the broth and 3 minced for the sauté.
What is the purpose of the second lime?
The juice of the second lime is squeezed over the finished pork mixture to provide a fresh, zesty finish.
When should I add the fresh cilantro?
Fold in the freshly chopped cilantro at the very end of cooking, after the lime juice is added.
What are the suggested serving options for this pork?
It is excellent served with Cuban black beans, in sandwiches, or wrapped in warm tortillas.
How many calories are in a serving of this dish?
There are approximately 233 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of the Zesty Cuban Mojo Shredded Pork?
Each serving contains 25 grams of protein.
How much fat is in this recipe?
The recipe contains 12 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count for this dish?
This dish is relatively low-carb, containing 5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Does this recipe use olive oil?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of olive oil are used to sauté and crisp the pork.
How much dried thyme is required?
The recipe calls for 1.5 teaspoons of dried thyme.
Is the pork cooked covered or uncovered?
The pork should be simmered in a tightly covered pot.
How many peppercorns are used in the broth?
Twelve black peppercorns are used to flavor the simmering liquid.
Can I use sea salt?
Yes, the recipe specifies using coarse sea salt to season the broth to taste.
What preparation is needed for the onion?
The onion should be thinly sliced before being added to the skillet.
How much cilantro is needed?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of freshly chopped cilantro.
Is this recipe considered spicy?
No, it is described as zesty and savory, focusing on citrus and garlic rather than heat.
Can I make this dish in one day?
While you can, the recipe recommends an overnight rest in the refrigerator to deepen the flavor.
What should I do with the cooking broth?
The pork cools in the broth overnight; however, the pork is removed and shredded before sautéing.
How long do the onions and garlic cook with the pork?
They should cook for about 10 minutes until fragrant and slightly browned.
What is the texture of the finished pork?
The finished pork is tender on the inside with slightly crispy edges from the sautéing process.