Puerco Pibil
Discover the rich, smoky flavors of Puerco Pibil, a traditional Mexican slow-roasted pork dish that will tantalize your taste buds. Made with tender pork shoulder marinated in a vibrant blend of achiote paste, freshly squeezed orange and lime juices, garlic, and warm spices like cumin and cloves, this dish transports you straight to the Yucatán Peninsula. Wrapped in banana leaves and gently baked for hours, the pork becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, infused with earthy, citrusy aromas. Serve this crowd-pleaser with warm tortillas, rice, or beans, and garnish with zesty pickled onions or fresh cilantro for the ultimate dining experience. Perfect for a dinner party or a weekend indulgence, this authentic recipe transforms simple ingredients into a celebration of bold Mexican flavors.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Pork shoulder (or pork butt), cut into 2-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp Achiote paste
- 0.75 cup Freshly squeezed orange juice
- 0.25 cup Freshly squeezed lime juice
- 0.25 cup White vinegar
- 6 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp Ground coriander
- 0.25 tsp Ground cloves
- 0.25 tsp Cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 large leaves Banana leaves (or aluminum foil, for lining)
- 2 Bay leaves
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
In a blender or food processor, combine the achiote paste, orange juice, lime juice, vinegar, garlic, cumin, coriander, cloves, cayenne pepper (if using), and salt. Blend until smooth to create a marinade.
Place the pork cubes in a large bowl, and pour the marinade over the meat. Mix thoroughly to ensure every piece of pork is coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
Line a large roasting pan or Dutch oven with banana leaves (or aluminum foil if banana leaves are unavailable). Ensure the leaves or foil extend outside the edges of the pan to allow you to fold them over the pork later.
Place the marinated pork and any remaining marinade into the pan on top of the banana leaves. Spread the pork out evenly. Add the bay leaves on top.
Fold the banana leaves or aluminum foil over the pork to completely cover it. If necessary, use an additional piece of foil to ensure a tight seal. Cover the pan with a lid if available.
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 4 hours, or until the pork is very tender and easily falls apart when shredded with a fork.
Once cooked, remove the pan from the oven and carefully open the banana leaves or foil to release the steam. Discard the bay leaves before serving.
Serve the Puerco Pibil hot with warm tortillas, rice, or beans. Add your favorite toppings like pickled red onions, salsa, or fresh cilantro.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3654 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 275.2 g | 353% | |
| Saturated Fat | 95.6 g | 478% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 952 mg | 318% | |
| Sodium | 3328 mg | 145% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 55.1 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.5 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.9 g | ||
| Protein | 238.2 g | 476% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 265 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 14.7 mg | 82% | |
| Potassium | 4384 mg | 93% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
