Pernil (Slow-Roasted Pork)

5.0
(18)
17 Reviews
12 Photos

Pernil is a popular Puerto Rican dish made by roasting a seasoned pork shoulder until it's tender and delicious. This recipe is loved by everyone in our family.

Submitted by Latino0809
Updated on March 6, 2025
A cutting board with shredded Pernil (slow-roasted pork)
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Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
5 hrs 30 mins
Additional Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
6 hrs
Servings:
16
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 16 servings

  • 9 pounds skin-on, bone-in pork shoulder (picnic) roast

  • 1 medium lime, halved

  • 10 cloves garlic

  • 2 ½ tablespoons salt

  • 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil, divided

  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano

  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper

  • 1 ¼ teaspoons adobo seasoning (such as Goya®)

  • 1 teaspoon vinegar

  • ¼ teaspoon sazon seasoning

  • 2 (12 fluid ounce) cans or bottles beer (such as Budweiser®)

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

    Ingredients to make Pernil

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans / Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco Gabriel Greco

  2. Rub pork shoulder all over with lime.

    A hand running a halved lime over pork shoulder

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans / Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco Gabriel Greco

  3. Mash garlic into a paste with a mortar and pestle, then transfer to a bowl.

    A hand holding a pestle, mashing garlic into a paste, in a mortar

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans / Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco Gabriel Greco

  4. Mix in salt, 1 tablespoon oil, oregano, pepper, adobo seasoning, and vinegar until well combined.

    A small bowl of seasoned oil

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans / Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco Gabriel Greco

  5. Pull the skin back to within 1 inch from the narrow part of the bone.

    A pork shoulder with the skin peeled back

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans / Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco Gabriel Greco

  6. Make 3/4-inch slits all over the pork with a sharp knife.

    A pork shoulder with slits cut into the top

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans / Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco Gabriel Greco

  7. Stuff seasoned garlic paste into the slits, then pull the skin back into place.

    A pork shoulder, with the skin pulled back, topped with garlic paste

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans / Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco Gabriel Greco

  8. Mix remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil with sazón seasoning in a small bowl.

    A small bowl of sazon seasoning and oil

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans / Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco Gabriel Greco

  9. Rub all over the skin.

    A pork shoulder rubbed with sazon-oil

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans / Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco Gabriel Greco

  10. Transfer pork to a large roasting pan. Pour beer into the pan, then cover with aluminum foil, sealing well.

    A reasoned pork shoulder in a baking pan with beer

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans / Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco Gabriel Greco

  11. Roast in the preheated oven until pork is slightly pink in the center, about 3 hours. Increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

    A partially roasted pork shoulder in a baking pan with beer

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans / Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco Gabriel Greco

  12. Uncover and continue roasting until the skin is golden brown and crispy, about 2 1/2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes before carving.

    A slow-roasted pork shoulder in a baking pan

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans / Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco Gabriel Greco
34 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

362 Calories
25g Fat
3g Carbs
26g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 16
Calories 362
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 25g 32%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 101mg 34%
Sodium 1171mg 51%
Total Carbohydrate 3g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 26g 53%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 40mg 3%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 401mg 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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