Best Pernil Recipes

DADDY EDDIE'S ROAST PORK (PERNIL), PUERTO RICAN-STYLE

Steps:

• Combine olive oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a mortar and pestle; mash into a paste.
• Make deep slits into the pork with a small knife. Stuff slits with the paste; rub any remaining paste over the pork.
• Place pork in a plastic roasting bag and put in a roasting pan with a rack. Let marinate in the refrigerator, 8 to 48 hours.
• Take pork out of the refrigerator, uncover, and bring to room temperature, 1 to 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Roast pork skin-side down in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 2 hours. Flip pork and continue roasting, skin-side up, until juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), 2 to 4 hours more.

PERNIL

Steps:

• Place the pork shoulder, fat-side up, on a cutting board. With a sharp knife, score the skin and fat in a cross-hatch pattern, making diagonal cuts about 1 1/2 inches apart and cutting down to the meat so the marinade can penetrate. Transfer the pork to a large re-sealable plastic bag set over a baking dish or bowl.
• To a blender, add the garlic, oregano, cilantro, cumin, lime juice, orange juice, chipotle and adobo sauce, 3 tablespoons salt and 1 tablespoon pepper. Drizzle in the olive oil and pulse until you have a nice puree. Pour the marinade all over the pork, being sure to get it into the deep cuts. Zip the bag closed and refrigerate overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add about a 1/2 inch water to a roasting pan fitted with a roasting rack. Remove the pork from the marinade and place in the center of the rack.
• Cover with foil and roast until the pork is fork tender and deep brown in color, 4 hours. Check on the pork after 3 1/2 hours; if skin is not deep brown, remove the foil for last 30 minutes. Transfer the pork to cutting board and let rest for 20 minutes before slicing into thick pieces. Spoon any remaining pan juices over the meat to serve.

SPANISH ROASTED PORK (PERNIL)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Rub pork shoulder all over with lime.
• Mash garlic into paste in a mortar and pestle or pilon. Transfer to a bowl; mix in salt, 1 tablespoon oil, oregano, black pepper, adobo seasoning, and vinegar.
• Lift skin off the pork to 1-inch from the narrow part of the bone. Make 3/4-inch slits all over the pork with a sharp knife. Stuff seasoned garlic paste into the slits. Pull skin back over to cover the pork.
• Mix remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil and sazon seasoning together in a small bowl. Rub over the skin of the pork.
• Transfer pork to a large roasting pan. Pour in beer. Cover with aluminum foil, sealing well.
• Roast in the preheated oven until slightly pink in the center, about 3 hours.
• Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Uncover pork and continue roasting until skin is golden brown and crispy, about 2 1/2 hours. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes before carving.

PUERTO RICAN STYLE PERNIL (ROAST PORK)

Steps:

• In a bowl mix garlic, salt and oregano.
• With a sharp knife make deep cuts in to the pork only on meat side,and stuff the garlic mixture into the slits.
• The more cuts the better the flavor.
• Sprinkle the other seasoning the Adobo and the Sazon all over the outside.
• Then rub the seasonings in making sure the entire surface is covered.
• Roast the Pork in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 4-6 hours uncovered in a pan with a rack.
• Roast the pork skin side down for the first 2 hours and then turn skin side up for the remaining time.
• Pork should be well done and tender.
• Make sure all juices run clear before removing from oven.

ROAST PORK (PERNIL) PUERTO RICAN STYLE

Steps:

• The night before peel garlic and with a Pilón mash it to a past then combine all the ingredients and whisk then set it aside.
• Rinse pork in warm water and stab 1 inch slits in the pork (the more stabs the more taste). Place it in the roasting pan skin side down rub the seasoning to the pork and also insert some in the slits. Cover and refrigerate.
• This takes about 4 to 5 hours to cook depending in size and your oven so you must time yourself on the time you want it done. We normally start this the next morning (8 am the latest) to get it out the way and cook other dishes.
• For the first 2 hours set oven at 275°F and cook covered. After 2 hours turn pork over and set oven at 350°F continue cooking for 2+ more hours uncovered,.
• TIP: Check every ½ to 1 hour and poke with roasting fork. You will feel the difference as the pernil cooks.
• Before serving make sure your juices are clear and the skin is nice and hard.

CUBAN ROAST PORK, PERNIL O PIERNA ASADA ESTILO CUBANO

Steps:

• 1. Buy a nice large pork shoulder or fresh ham try to buy with the skin on the fresh ham. I am doubtful you will find a pork shoulder with the skin on it but you can try.
• 2. THE NIGHT BEFORE: Take your pork shoulder or fresh ham and stab it all over making deep stabbings in the meat all over the roast. Next, take your salt and pour about two tablespoons full in your hands and rub deep all over the pork roast or fresh ham sticking your fingers in the deep stabbed holes to penetrate the salt well into the meat. Do this all around the fresh ham. You will need about 2 tablespoons of salt altogether. If it is a very large fresh ham you might need as much as three tablespoons of salt. Rubbing deep into the meat all over and into the holes made with a sharp knife. Please be careful with the knife when stabbing the pork so as to not cut yourself. Make sure your hands are dry as well as the handle of the knife when stapping the pork. You do not want your hand to slide down onto the sharp blade as I have seen happen when stabbing the pork.
• 3. After salting put the pork to a side. In a blender add the lime/lemon or sour oange juice, garlic cloves, and the seasonings bay leaf, cumin powder, oregano, pepper, 1 teaspoon salt. Blend on high until all is liquified.
• 4. This is your Cuban Mojo, pour one cup of the mojo in a jar cover and reserve for later.
• 5. Now take your pork roast and pour the rest of the sauce all over the pork roast rubbing the mojo sauce deep into the pork meat in the slits or holes. The secret is to make sure you rub your pork meat roast or fresh ham with all this lime/garlic sauce making sure it is well introduced into the meat.
• 6. When done sprinkle a little more oregano, cumin, black pepper over the entire roast again just a little sprinkle. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate until the next day for roasting.
• 7. Next day remove pork from the refrigerator let stand on the counter for at least an hour then put into a preheated 325 degree oven.
• 8. Depending on how large a roast you have roast about 3 to 4 hours or a little more.
• 9. Pour a half cup of the reserved mojo and baste your roast every hour with some of the mojo.
• 10. Roast is done when the juices run clear and the meat is tender. Do not cover with aluminum foil to roast. You can tent the roast with aluminum foil but do not crimp the edges all around. You want to roast your pork meat not steam it. I do not even tent mine.
• 11. If the roast starts to get too brown on top tent it with the foil. Take a large piece of foil and fold in half then put over the roast leaving the sides open, no crimping. A five pound roast can take as long as five or six hours slow roasting. When done remove roast from the oven take out of the pan put into another pan. Let roast hang out for a bit.
• 12. In your pan there should be lots of pan drippings. Pour them into a frying pan over medium heat and add the onions and fry them in the drippings.
• 13. Next, take a half cup of the reserved mojo from the refrigerator and pour into the onions sauteing everything for about five minutes. After about 10 minutes slice all of your roast and pour the mojo with onions all over the meat mixing it well into all of the pork meat. Serve with Cuban black beans and white rice. There is another traditional dish served with the pork, rice, and black beans. It is called Yuca (Casava). It is boiled when tender it is served with the pork, black beans, and rice. It looks like boiled potato only it is long and very starchy. It is served with a mojo sauce that is also pored over it but only lemon or lime juice and fresh garlic are used. But that is another recipe. It is a tradition to also include that dish with the Cuban roast pork dinner. Don't forget the Crispy Cuban bread and the Sangria or wine, For dessert pass a delicious flan. Buen Apetito. Enjoy.

PERNIL

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300 degrees. Score meat's skin with a sharp knife, making a cross-hatch pattern. Pulse garlic, onion, oregano, cumin, chili, salt and pepper together in a food processor, adding oil in a drizzle and scraping down sides as necessary, until mixture is pasty. (Alternatively, mash ingredients in a mortar and pestle.) Blend in the vinegar.
• Rub this mixture well into pork, getting it into every nook and cranny. Put pork in a roasting pan and film bottom with water. Roast pork for several hours (a 4-pound shoulder may be done in 3 hours), turning every hour or so and adding more water as necessary, until meat is very tender. Finish roasting with the skin side up until crisp, raising heat at end of cooking if necessary.
• Let meat rest for 10 to 15 minutes before cutting it up; meat should be so tender that cutting it into uniform slices is almost impossible; rather, whack it up into chunks. Serve with lime.

BEST PERNIL EVER

Steps:

• Crush garlic into small pieces in a mortar and pestle. Add olive oil, salt, oregano, and black pepper; mash into a paste.
• Make 12 deep incisions a few inches apart in the roast using a sharp knife. Pack the seasoned garlic paste evenly into the incisions and over the roast.
• Transfer roast to a large bowl. Pour in red wine, covering roast completely. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate in the refrigerator, 24 hours.
• Pour out red wine. Place roast fat-side up in a roasting pan; cover with aluminum foil. Let sit at room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place roast in the preheated oven; reduce temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Bake until slightly pink in the center, about 4 hours.
• Increase temperature to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Uncover roast and continue baking until fat is crispy and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), about 1 hour more.
• Remove from oven and let rest before carving, 20 to 30 minutes.

SLOW COOKER PERNIL PORK

Steps:

• Pulse garlic, onion, oregano, cumin, chile pepper, salt, and pepper together in a blender, pouring in vinegar and enough olive oil until mixture is pasty. Scrape down sides of the blender as necessary to fully incorporate. Spread this mixture all over the pork loin, and place into a slow cooker.
• Cook on Low until the pork is fork tender, 6 to 8 hours. When ready, cut the pork into chunks, or shred; garnish with lime wedges to serve.

PERNIL ASADO (ROAST PORK, CARIBBEAN STYLE)

Steps:

• For the marinade: Mix together all ingredients and set aside to let flavors meld together.
• Procedure for the pernil. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Wash pork under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. With a sharp paring knife, pierce the flesh. Season with salt and pepper and rub sofrito all over, covering the entire piece of meat. Let marinate for no less than 2 hours but better if overnight. Place pork on an oven rack and place in roasting pan and add enough water to just cover bottom of pan. Put roasting rack in center of the oven and let cook for 20 minutes. Turn the oven down to 350 degrees and let cook until juices run clear. The pork should be firm to the touch. Take the pork out of the oven and let rest for about 10 to 15 minutes. Peel away the skin when cool enough to touch and save, for this is a traditional Caribbean delicacy. Slice meat into bite-size pieces and serve with arroz con gandules.

PERNIL - PUERTO RICAN PORK ROAST

Steps:

• For 6 lb. roast, use above quantity of seasonings. Rinse the pork under cold running water. ADOBO RUB: adding whole garlic cloves (not sliced) to a morter & pestle. Mash; add olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano and vinegar. Stir and mash to a course paste. PREPARE MEAT: Make 25-30 slits 1" wide by 2" deep in meat on all sides, top & bottom. Using handle of small tsp, push some sofrito into each slit. Next, put a slice garlic in each slit with sofrito. If you have extra garlic slices left, just double up if not enough, slice some up. Take ADOBO PASTE and rub all over pork. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate overnight (Or at least a few hours). TO COOK: Remove from refrig 1 hour before cooking. Preheat oven to 350(F). Unwrap pernil. Put in roaster, add 2 cups wtter; covered loosely with foil. Cook 30 - 35 mins per pound (5 lb. = 2½-3 Hrs; 6 lb. = 3-3½ Hrs; 7 lb. = 3½ -4 Hrs. Internal temp of 185-190F). After 2 hrs uncover and baste. Continue cooking, uncovered basting every 30 minutes. If you run out of juices, just add 1-2 cups water. Once pernil is done, remove from oven and let rest 15 mins before carving. This lets it cool and allows juices to stay within the roast. ENJOY! Eat as a meat dish with rice or in CUBAN SANDWICHES.

ROASTED PORK SHOULDER (PERNIL AL HORNO)

Steps:

• Place the pork, fat-side up, in a roasting pan fitted with a rack insert, and using a sharp knife, score the surface of the meat with small slits. Mash the garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper into a paste on a cutting board with the flat side of a knife; place the adobo in a bowl and stir in the oil and vinegar. Rub the garlic paste all over the pork, being sure to get into the incisions so the salt can penetrate the meat and pull out the moisture - this will help form a crust on the outside when cooked. Cover the pork with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or up to overnight.
• Allow the meat to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Roast the pork for 3 hours, uncovered, until the skin is crispy-brown. Let the meat rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes before slicing.

PORK SHOULDER PERNIL SPANISH STYLE

Steps:

• 1. Place the 8 pounds pork shoulder into a roasting pan with the fatty side up. Puncture the surface of the meat with a fork. Rub the paste into the punctures of the meat.
• 2. Mix together in a small bowl, blend minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, adobo seasoning and olive oil.
• 3. Cover with plastic and store in the refrigerator overnight.
• 4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Remove the plastic wrap from the pork shoulder and replace it with aluminum foil.
• 5. Cook for 3 1/2 to 5 hours, checking the meat every 30 minutes after the 3 1/2 hour mark.
• 6. Remove the foil when the pork is nearly done and allow to cook for another 20-30 minutes to become crispy on the surface.

PORK SHOULDER "PERNIL" WITH CILANTRO-CITRUS ADOBO

Steps:

• Place the pork, fat side up, in a roasting pan fitted with a rack insert, and using a sharp knife, score the surface of the meat with small slits. Prepare the adobo: In a food processor, add the garlic, oregano, cilantro, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add lime juice and orange juice. Drizzle in olive oil and pulse until you have a nice puree. Rub the marinade all over the pork, being sure to get into the incisions so the salt can penetrate the meat and pull out the moisture - this will help form a crust on the outside when cooked.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Roast the pork for 3 hours, uncovered, until the skin is crispy-brown. Let the meat rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes before slicing, covered lightly with aluminum foil. Drizzle with lime juice and garnish with cilantro.

ROASTED PORK SHOULDER (PERNIL AL HORNO)

Steps:

• Wash meat with vinegar and lemon juice.
• Place all ingredients in blender.
• Pat dry the meat.
• Season the meat with the marinade.
• Add the salt to the skin.
• Let marinate 1 day before.
• Place in oven at 350 cover with foil.
• After 4 hours uncover and let the skin get crispy raising the temperature to 450.

PERNIL

Steps:

• Prepare the adobo by combining all the ingredients and grinding in a large pilón or mortar and pestle, or simply mixing together well in a small bowl.
• Prepare the pork: Rinse and dry meat well with a clean towel. Place pork skin-side down on a large rimmed sheet pan and poke deep, 1-inch holes throughout the meat and in the fatty layer with a paring knife, being careful not to pierce the skin. You can't have too many holes.
• Pour over adobo in batches, using your fingers to push adobo deep into the meat. If you're worried about your hands smelling like garlic - which they will! - wear gloves.
• Set out a long sheet of plastic wrap, layering with subsequent sheets as needed to ensure you can securely wrap the entire pork shoulder. Transfer pork to plastic wrap and wrap tightly, adding sheets of plastic as needed to ensure pork is completely airtight and juices are contained. Let marinate in the fridge overnight if possible, or at least least 2 to 3 hours. Set on a rimmed baking sheet or disposable aluminum foil pan in case it leaks.
• Once the pork has marinated, heat oven to 400 degrees. Working over the sink, carefully remove pork from plastic wrap, discarding any remaining adobo. Place the marinated pork shoulder skin-side up in a deep roasting pan, and wipe the skin with a clean cloth. Rub skin with 1 teaspoon salt.
• Loosely tent foil over the pork shoulder, spraying the foil with cooking spray or brushing with oil in any areas that may touch the skin, as it will stick. Transfer to the center of the oven.
• Roast in the oven for 1 hour, then carefully remove the foil and rotate the pan. Continue roasting for another 2 to 3 hours, rotating every hour or so, and watching closely. Add water to the pan as needed when juices evaporate. The meat is done cooking when the juices run clear and the thickest part of the leg registers 160 degrees with a meat thermometer. The skin may take more time to crisp, but watch closely so that it does not burn. Tap the top of the skin with the back of a knife or metal spatula, and listen for a decidedly hollow sound.
• Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes, then transfer to a large cutting board. (For cleaning instructions for the pan, see Notes.) If desired, remove the skin from the roast by slicing it along the underside of the bone with a long, sharp, slender knife. Run the knife underneath the skin starting from the bottom until loosened, then lift the skin from the meat. Use kitchen shears to cut into serving pieces, and let them rest in the warm oven until ready to eat. Trim excess fat from the meat if desired, and slice as desired, in large chunks or slices, to serve.

PERNIL

Steps:

• Whisk together the cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, white pepper and salt in a medium bowl.
• Place the pork shoulder skin-side up on a rimmed baking sheet and rub with oil until evenly coated. Flip the pork so it is skin-side down and apply half of the spice mixture to the meat, sides and skin, massaging to make sure it is completely seasoned. Flip the pork so it is skin-side up again and with a long sharp knife, make a cut under the skin between the fat and the meat, avoiding cutting into the meat. This will create a pocket between the skin and the meat.
• Combine the remaining spice mixture with enough oil to create a paste. Using your fingers, season the inside of the pocket with the paste, avoiding the skin. Coat the bottom and sides of the pork with the paste, patting it in as needed and continuing to avoid the skin. Transfer the pork skin-side down to a large deep pan. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 day.
• Remove the pork from the refrigerator at least 1 hour before roasting and bring to room temperature. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Transfer the pork skin-side down to a large roasting pan and roast until deep golden brown, about 2 hours. Flip the pork and continue roasting skin-side up until the meat shreds easily with a fork and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the pork registers at least 165 degrees F, up to 3 hours more.
• Allow the pork to rest in its juices, uncovered, for 1 hour.
• Pull the pork into chunks with a fork and serve.

SLOW-COOKED PERNIL (PUERTO RICAN PORK)

Steps:

• Using a sharp knife, cut slits into the pork and stuff holes with half of the crushed garlic. Combine the remaining ingredients and pour over pork. Place in the ceramic part of the crock pot, cover and refrigerate, turning pork occasionally so the marinade covers all of pork. The next day, remove the crock pot and cook on low, 8 hours. After 8 hours, remove pork and shred using two forks. Remove liquid from crock pot and add pork back to crock. Add about 1 cup of the liquid back and adjust salt, pepper and cumin (you will probably need to add more). Let it cook another 15-30 minutes. Serve over cooked rice and black beans.

SLOW COOKER PERNIL PORK

Steps:

• Place the garlic, onion, oregano, cumin, chile pepper, salt, and pepper into a blender. Pour in the olive oil and vinegar. Puree until smooth. Spread this mixture all over the pork loin, and place into a slow cooker.
• Cook on low until the pork is fork tender, 6 to 8 hours. (If you need to speed it up, you can substitute 1 hour at high for two of the hours on low. Do this at the beginning, though, not the end.)
• When ready, cut the pork into chunks, or shred; garnish with lime wedges to serve.

PERNIL AL HORNO

Steps:

• For the pork and liquid mix: Begin by taking a chef's knife to slice and pull back the skin of the pork leg. Then whisk the wine, Worcestershire, mustard and salt in a bowl until blended. Using a kitchen syringe, inject the liquid mixture around the bone, leaving 1/3 cup to add with the chopped mix.
• For the chopped mix: Whisk the garlic, onions, bell peppers, rosemary and bay leaves with the leftover liquid mix. Then take a paring knife to make small cuts intermittently on the leg. Once you have completed 20 to 25 holes (depending upon the size of the leg), stuff each hole with the chopped mix. Place the skin back over the leg and then transfer to a deep dish to marinate in the fridge for a minimum of 12 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the cooking liquid: Add the chicken stock and wine to the pork in a deep roasting pan. Cook 1 hour per every 2.2 pounds, 7 to 10 hours.