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Slow Cooker Cuban Mojo Pork marinates in the fantastic flavors of citrus, garlic, oregano, and cumin all while cooking to a delicious tenderness. This an easy and flavorful meal that is perfect for any day of the week!
Many of you already know I am a Native Floridian and one of things I love about this state is that it is rich in Cuban and Latin culture. Especially in the Tampa area, specifically Ybor City, which is bursting with delicious Latin food. Spanish, Cuban, and Sicilian immigrants came to the area in large part to work in Cigar factories.
Along with them they brought rich and flavorful food traditions to the community! This deliciousness still thrives in the area. If you ever get a chance you have to visit the Tampa Bay area! From the nearby beaches, to the theme parks, culture and why yes the FOOD! So much to enjoy! Especially the FOOD – Y’ALL!! Did I already mention that?
When you think of Cuban food it’s natural for Mojo to come to mind right away. Mojo is a marinade typically made with sour oranges and lots of garlic. It really is a delicious marinade, sauce, and can be used as a dip. And don’t worry if you can’t find Sour Oranges – I’ll give you an easy solution in the recipe.
I feel very lucky that I don’t have to travel too far to enjoy all this greatness, my hometown is just minutes away from Tampa. But, there are also times we just want to make it at home! And I’m going to share how I make mine with ya!
How to Make Cuban Mojo Pork in the Slow Cooker
Step 1: Prepare the Mojo Sauce
In the bottom of your slow cooker, whisk together olive oil, orange zest and juice, lime zest and juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, and red pepper flakes. This zesty sauce is the secret to a flavorful roast!
Step 2: Add the Pork
Place your pork roast in the slow cooker and roll it around in the marinade until it’s fully coated. Add the bay leaves and one of the juiced orange halves to the slow cooker for extra flavor.
Pro Tip: If you have time, let the pork marinate in the fridge for 2-3 hours or overnight. Just bring it to room temperature before starting to cook.
Step 3: Cook the Pork
Cover your slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours. You’ll know it’s done when the pork is so tender it shreds easily with a fork. Once cooked, discard the orange halves and bay leaves.
Step 4: Optional – Crisp the Pork
For crispy edges, transfer the pork to a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Shred it into chunks or bite-sized pieces and broil for 5-10 minutes, watching closely so it doesn’t burn.
Want to leave the pork whole? Bake it at 400°F for 15-20 minutes to get a beautifully browned crust.
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
While the pork crisps, whisk together ¼ cup of water and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to make a slurry. Pour it into the slow cooker juices and stir well. Let the sauce thicken for 20-30 minutes on the slow cooker’s “warm” setting.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Drizzle the thickened sauce over your tender Mojo Pork or serve it on the side. Pair it with rice, beans, or tortillas for an easy and delicious meal!
- Use orange juice and limes or lemons and limes in substitution for sour oranges. The combo recreates the same flavor.
- You cannot go wrong, making a roast in the crock pot is foolproof! It will be delicious every time.
- Just put it in and forget it. It’s important not to open the lid during the process. This causes moisture and heat loss.
- Slow Cooking takes care of all the marinating and cooking with little effort and lots of AMAZING TASTE!
- If you want to create a thicker sauce, add cornstarch after cooking to thicken.
- Gather your ingredients together so that you are not having to run back and forth to the fridge or spice cabinet.
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Slow Cooker Cuban Mojo Pork Roast Recipe
When you need a little Cuban Spice in your life this is the perfect dish! It’s always moist, tender, with hints of citrus and garlic that is sure to wake up your taste buds! It may even having you dancing the SALSA it’s so good y’all!
If you like this recipe please let me know in the comments and give it a 5 star rating!
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Slow Cooker Cuban Mojo Pork
Ingredients
- 4 pound boston butt or pork shoulder, (boneless or bone in)
Mojo Sauce / Marinade
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 – 2 teaspoons kosher salt, (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoons black pepper
- 1 orange zest, (zest 1 orange before juicing and keep one of the halved juice oranges to place in with the roast while cooking)
- ¾ cup orange juice
- 1 lime zest, (zest 1 lime before juicing)
- ½ cup lime juice
- 6-8 cloves garlic, minced (6-8 teaspoons minced garlic)
- ½ – 1 teaspoons cumin
- ½ – 1 teaspoons oregano
- ¼ teaspoons red pepper flakes, (optional)
- 2 bay leaves
Cornstarch Slurry to Thicken Sauce
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tbsp cornstarch, to thicken sauce after cooking, if desired
Instructions
Marinade / Mojo Sauce
- In the bottom of the slow cooker, add the olive or avocado oil, orange zest, orange juice, lime zest, lime juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes and whisk together.2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil, 1 – 2 teaspoons kosher salt, ½ teaspoons black pepper, 1 orange zest, ¾ cup orange juice, 1 lime zest, ½ cup lime juice, 6-8 cloves garlic, ½ – 1 teaspoons cumin, ½ – 1 teaspoons oregano, 1/4 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- Add the pork roast to the slow cooker and roll in the marinade to coat all sides. Add in the bay leaves and 1 of the halved juiced oranges peels to the slow cooker. See note below to marinate or make ahead*2 bay leaves, 4 pound boston butt or pork shoulder
Cook Mojo Pork Roast
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 or on high for 5 – 6 hours or until fork tender and will shred easily. Remove orange halves and bay leaves and discard.
To Crisp the Roast
- To crisp up, carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it onto an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Shred or cut into chunks or bite sized pieces and broil for 5 to 10 minutes. If you would like to leave the roast whole you can bake in a preheated 400℉ oven for about 15 to 20 minutes or until nicely browned.
To Thicken the Sauce
- While crisping the pork roast. Take 1/4 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and whisk together. Pour cornstarch slurry into the juices in the slow cooker and whisk to combine. Let it thicken for 20-30 minutes.¼ cup water, 2 tbsp cornstarch
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Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
Do I buy a boneless or bone in roast??
Thank you
You can use either. Hope you enjoy!
It was good use of a pork shoulder but I felt like it was missing the Cuban “punch”. Add some bbq sauce and it was like pulled pork. Fresh squeezed limes just before serving seemed to save it. I served alongside cockney lime rice. Good combo, would do again but need to figure out why it was bland. Anyone feel the same way or have any suggestions?
Did you make sure the roast was sitting in the juices? That is really important. You could also marinate it overnight before cooking the next day for extra flavor.
So easy and delicious! I added some extra orange juice because I was concerned I didn’t have enough liquid to cover the meat. The meat was very tender and not overly spiced or salty.
I am so very glad you enjoyed it! It’s one of my favorite ways to make a pork roast! Thank you for stopping in to say hello!
For mojo marinade I was taught to use 2 to 1 ratio of orange juice to lime juice has that changed?
Thanks Katherine
This is how I have always made the slow cooker version. Perhaps if you were using sour oranges yes. Feel free to adjust it to your taste! Enjoy!
I’m Cuban and love this – The perfect Cuban dish!!! Some black beans, white rice and plantains. Sangria and Flan for dessert!!! Yum, yum
Best compliment I could receive! Thank you so much! You have the perfect meal planned out! I am all in!
This recipe sounds amazing! I plan to cook this for a group of friends but I have an eater who cannot eat pork for religious reasons. What other type of meat would you suggest substituting for the pork and how long should I slow cook it for?
I think it would be great with chicken. I need to give it a try. I have made something similar with a whole chicken but I bake it. If you want to try bone in chicken Cook on high 2 to 3 hours or low 4 to 6 hours.
I like to marinate my meat a day prior to soak the flavor and it cuts in the preparation having the mojo already made, also I’m using a pork loin. Should I make any changes to your recipe?
When slow cooking a loin, I usually cook about 6 to 6 1/2 hours.
I’ve made this many times over the past few years & it is always delicious! I don’t really measure the ingredients & the crushed red pepper flakes give it a “just right” kick! Easy & house smells fantasic!
Thank you Gil! When I started blogging it forced me to start measuring things more often so I could share the recipes. A little of this and that lol!
I made this roast as a trial run for a family gathering later this summer. We made wraps out of it using flour tortillas. It was terrific!!! Definitely a keeper!!!
I am so glad you liked it! Adding these to wraps sounds like a perfect way to enjoy this! Thank you so much Christina. I hope your family gathering turns out wonderfully!
I’m going to try this with my pork tenderloins tomorrow!!
That sounds delicious! Please let me know how it goes!
Hi . I made the mojo pork in my very first ever use of a slow cooker. While the flavors of the marinade were great, the liquid didn’t cover all the meat and so it was rather bland when I served it. I don’t have the option of using a smaller size container. Would it work to double the marinade ingredients so that the meat is fully immersed in the liquid while it’s cooking. Thank you. My husband is Cuban and I was hoping to surprise him…
Giuliana, I would give that a try. You will have extra sauce then too! Please let me know how it goes. I would love to hear back!
That looks so flavorful and absolutely delicious! Save two servings for me next time.
Thank you so much Carlee! Sure thing! I’ll wrap you up a plate!
I have a bottle of mojo marinade, made by
Badia, I’m going to try this roast using that. I have never used it before. We visited Ybor City a few years ago and enjoyed it.
How did you like the mojo marinade? I have not used it before. So much delicious food and fun in Ybor City. We love to go down and have lunch every once in a while!
We were at the Columbia a few weeks ago for the 1905 Salad. I wish someone could duplicate that dressing! It just can’t be done! Trying your slow cooker pork recipe this week. Can I freeze leftovers for future Cuban sandwiches do you think?
Hi Kathy! Thanks for stopping by! Yes you can freeze the cooked meat. I let it cool and wrap with freezer quality plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to 2 to 3 months. I need to post the recipe I have for their salad dressing. I make that salad often and it is delicious. My mom, sister, daughter and I love to have lunch at the Columbia.
Hey, the 1905 salad dressing is being sold at some Publix markets now!
Yes. I have bought it when in a pinch for time. But I really do like it homemade better!
We lived in Tampa for 10yrs. The food was so good! At the Columbia I ordered the gazpacho soup made table side! The 1905 salad too!
Love Columbia! I have the recipe for 1905 Salad here on the blog! It’s the best!
Lovely and vibrant! Totally making this for my family. Hope it will turn out great.
I love the smell of this cooking. It’s an amazing way to come home from work to a home cooked meal.
Oh I agree! It makes the whole house smell divine! And not having a meal ready when you get home is the best!
I do not use my slow cooker enough! This looks awesome!
Thank you so much! We love the flavor in this one! I use mine a lot! Now that I have a multi cooker I use it even more. It will sauté, bake, is a rice cooker and slow cooks! Love it!
I was wondering if a larger crock pot will still work? I don’t have a small one only a larger one.
Sorry I wasn’t specific enough. Will a larger crock pot still work if I don’t want to get a larger roast.
Yes a larger one will work as well!
I haven’t had mojo pork in a while but this has me wanting to change that ASAP!
This one is easy to make too! I hope you make it soon! 🙂
I love anything pork so I’m looking forward to trying your mojo pork sometime soon! It sounds perfect for a busy weekday night.
If you are a pork lover, then you will love this one! It is perfect to come home to a meal already ready!