Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsSabor de CubaPernil Recipe

Pernil Recipe

Inspired by Sabor de Cuba
Time5h
Serves6

Citrus-marinated pork shank, thinly sliced with garlic and onion. Served with white rice, black beans, and sweet plantains.

Was this page helpful?

Help improve this recipe for others.

Send this recipe to your inbox.

We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.

Ingredients

Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Pernil Marinade

Method

Marinade the Pork

  1. 1

    Prepare the Marinade

    In a blender, combine garlic cloves, fresh oregano, cumin, olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth.

  2. 2

    Marinate the Pork

    Make incisions in the pork shoulder to allow the marinade to penetrate. Rub the marinade all over the pork, making sure it gets into the incisions. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours, preferably 24 hours.

Cooking the Pernil

  1. 3

    Preheat the Oven

    Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).

  2. 4

    Roast the Pork

    Place the marinated pork in a roasting pan. Cover it tightly with aluminum foil and roast for about 4 hours.

  3. 5

    Crisp the Skin

    After 4 hours, remove the foil and increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C). Roast for an additional 30-45 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden brown.

  4. 6

    Rest the Pork

    Once cooked, remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Prepare the Sides

  1. 7

    Cook the Rice

    In a pot, add 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Add the white rice, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 18-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.

  2. 8

    Heat the Black Beans

    Open the can of black beans and heat them in a pot over medium heat until warmed through.

  3. 9

    Fry the Sweet Plantains

    Peel the sweet plantains and slice them diagonally. In a frying pan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Fry the plantain slices until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.

Serving

  1. 10

    Plate the Dish

    Thinly slice the pernil and serve it alongside the white rice, black beans, and fried sweet plantains.

More from Sabor de Cuba