Slow Cooker Garlic Cuban Pork

If you're craving a simple, flavorful meal that practically makes itself, this Slow Cooker Garlic Cuban Pork is exactly what you need. Serve it with rice, beans, and plantains for a classic dish or turn it into Cuban sandwiches, tacos, lettuce wraps, rice bowls, and more. 

If you have never made Cuban food before, it's all about the mojo, sometimes called mojo criollo. Mojo is a sauce or marinade made with sour orange juice, garlic, onion, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. It's usually used to marinate pork, chicken, or fish. It's also served as a sauce to add extra flavor to finished dishes.  It adds the most delicious garlicky, citrusy flavor. 

In this recipe, we use that delicious mojo to cook the pork in the slow cooker and infuse it with tons of flavor.  To make it, you'll cut the pork into chunks, then add the rest of the ingredients to slow cook for eight hours.  Once the pork is super tender, shred it up and broil it in the oven to get the meat super crispy, like a classic lechon.

Pair it with your favorite sides like rice and beans, add it to these Cuban Black Bean Bowls, or get fancy and make Pork Tacos. It's up to you!

Before You Start Cooking

• Pork: After testing this recipe with many different cuts of pork, it works best with pork shoulder. Pork shoulder stays juicy and is traditionally used in Cuban pork dishes. The next best thing is Boston butt or a picnic roast. If you want to keep things light, swap in pork tenderloin, but check it after 2-3 hours in the slow cooker so it doesn't overcook. 
• Cuban carnitas: If this recipe is new to you, think of it as a more garlicky, citrusy version of carnitas. Tender crispy pork that tastes amazing in everything. 
• Double the mojo: If you plan on serving this with rice, make some extra mojo (the mixture of citrus, garlic, and spices) to drizzle over your rice! 

Key Ingredients in Slow Cooker Cuban Pork

Here's a brief list of what you'll need to make this recipe. For the full list of ingredients, make sure to check the recipe card!

• Pork shoulder: You want to get a nice lean cut of boneless pork shoulder for tenderness and juiciness. It cooks down beautifully in the slow cooker and can be shredded or served in chunks, depending on your preference. 
• Oranges: Fresh orange juice (you'll want a couple of oranges) gives this dish a burst of sweet, citrusy tang. It pairs perfectly with the cumin and oregano to bring the Cuban flavors alive.
• Lime: Fresh lime juice adds a zesty brightness that cuts through the richness of the pork, adding a balanced tartness. Traditional Cuban pork uses sour oranges, but since they are hard to find, the combination. of orange juice and lime juice creates that sweet and sour flavor. Lemon juice can also be used. 
• Spices: Oregano, cumin, and a bay leaf give earthy, warm, and aromatic flavors to the pork, infusing into the meat as it cooks.
• Fresh mint and cilantro: These add brightness and freshness at the end and when mixed with the cooking liquid. If you don't love cilantro, fresh oregano is a great substitute!

Can I use a different cut of pork for this recipe?

I almost always use a pork shoulder when I slow-cook pork. I find that it shreds easily and is super tasty and moist. Other kinds of pork cuts you could use in the slow cooker include:

• Shoulder or blade roast
• Picnic roast
• Boston butt
• Pork tenderloin (only needs to cook for 2-3 hours)

How to Make Cuban Pork in a Crock Pot

Here's a brief rundown of how to make this recipe in the slow cooker:

To make this delicious slow-cooked Cuban pork, chop your pork shoulder into chunks, about 1.5 to 2 inches each. If you have time, sear it for even more flavor.

Place the pork into the slow cooker, then toss in your garlic, chopped onion, and a good squeeze of fresh orange juice and lime juice. Add your dried oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, and a bay leaf for that essential Cuban flavor.

Set the slow cooker on low and let it cook for about 8 hours, allowing the flavors to really soak into the pork. The pork will be tender and juicy, and you can leave it in chunks or shred it, depending on how you like it.

For a little extra flavor, spread the cooked pork out on a baking sheet and broil it in the oven for a few minutes to get those crispy bits. This gives that amazing lechon or carnitas crispy goodness. 

While the pork is under the broiler, mix some of the cooking liquid with cilantro and mint for a fresh, herby drizzle. Once the pork is crispy, pour the sauce over the top, and serve it with your favorite sides!

Instant Pot Option

You can also make this dish in the Instant Pot. Follow the same directions as the slow cooker, adding an extra 3/4 cup of chicken broth to make sure the pork doesn't burn. Cook for 60 minutes (for pork shoulder) and let the Instant Pot naturally release.  You may need to reduce the cooking liquid on simmer before making the extra sauce to drizzle on the meat.

Can I skip broiling the pork?

While broiling adds that crispy texture and delicious caramelization to the pork, you can skip this step if you prefer your pork to remain soft.

However, the broiling step gives the pork an extra layer of flavor and a satisfying crispy contrast to the tender interior. If you're short on time, just skip the broil and serve the pork as is!

Is it possible to overcook pork in a slow cooker?

It's pretty hard to overcook poor shoulder, especially when it is cooked in the slow cooker on low. That being said, if you put the setting on "high," you might find you end up overcooking the meat as the crock will be too hot, and there won't be enough moisture to get that nice, soft, juicy shred you want.

However, it is really easy to overcook lean cuts of pork, like pork tenderloin or center-cut pork roasts. Always cook them on low and check after 2-3 hours. As soon as it shreds easily with a fork, its ready. 

Ways to Serve Slow Cooker Garlic Cuban Pork

I've mentioned lots of ways to serve this Cuban shredded pork, but what about sides? I'm all about the sides. I always serve at least one vegetable as a side, usually two. Here are some of my favorite side dishes that go with this pork, are easy to make, filling, and nutritious.

• Classics: Rice, black beans, and plantains are classically served with Cuban pork. Lighten things up with Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice. 
• Sliders: Stuffed in a slider bun and topped with some shredded cabbage and some spicy hot sauce.
• Cuban sandwiches: Press the pork into a panini with some thin panini bread, or you could even use naan. Add pickles, swiss cheese, and thinly sliced deli ham to make Cuban sandwiches.
• Mac and cheese: Mix the shredded pork into a big bowl of creamy mac and cheese for a cozy comforting meal!
• Cabbage slaw: Take inspiration from this Slow Cooker Chorizo Pork and serve this with a tasty Spicy Cabbage and Corn Slaw.
• Tacos: Warm up some corn tortillas and serve this with some shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, and avocado.
• Rice bowls: Turn this dish into meal prep rice bowls with cilantro lime rice, black beans, and lots of fresh veggies. Use the extra mojo sauce as your dressing.