Are you a fan of slow-cooked, juicy pulled pork? Do you love the flavors of garlic and citrus?
Then you’ll definitely want to try making Publix Mojo Pork at home! This delicious recipe is inspired by the flavors of Florida and Cuba, and it’s perfect for serving up on a plate with rice and beans, or piled high on a soft roll for a classic Cuban sandwich.
With just a few simple ingredients and a slow cooker, you can create a flavorful and tender pork dish that will have your taste buds singing.
So let’s get started and learn how to make Publix Mojo Pork!
How To Make Publix Mojo Pork?
To make Publix Mojo Pork, you’ll need a few key ingredients:
– 4-5 lbs. bone-in pork butt, trimmed of excess fat
– 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
– 2 cups Mojo marinade
– 1 onion, finely diced
– 1 orange, sliced
– A few sprigs of cilantro (optional)
– Salt and pepper, to taste
First, heat up the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork butt and sear on all sides until browned.
Next, transfer the pork to a slow cooker and pour in the Mojo marinade. Add the diced onion, sliced orange, and cilantro (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the pork is tender and falls apart easily with a fork.
Once the pork is done cooking, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Serve with tortillas, black beans, cilantro, and lime wedges for a delicious Cuban-inspired meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make Publix Mojo Pork, you’ll need a few key ingredients. The first is a bone-in pork butt, trimmed of excess fat, weighing around 4-5 lbs. You’ll also need 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to sear the pork before cooking.
The star of the show is the Mojo marinade, which you’ll need 2 cups of for this recipe. Other ingredients include a finely diced onion, a sliced orange, and a few sprigs of cilantro (optional). You’ll also need salt and pepper to taste.
Once you have all these ingredients ready, you can start cooking. Sear the pork butt in a skillet with vegetable oil over medium-high heat until browned on all sides. Then transfer the pork to a slow cooker and pour in the Mojo marinade. Add the diced onion, sliced orange, and cilantro (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the pork is tender and falls apart easily with a fork. Once done, remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Serve with tortillas, black beans, cilantro, and lime wedges for a delicious Cuban-inspired meal.
Leftover Publix Mojo Pork can be used in various dishes like sandwiches, quesadillas or even salads. Roasting the pork is optional but highly recommended for that extra flavor and texture. You can also use other brands of Mojo marinade like Goya Mojo or Badia Mojo, but making your own fresh homemade Cuban Mojo will add an amazing flavor that cannot compare to any bottled product.
Preparing The Marinade
To prepare the Mojo marinade for Publix Mojo Pork, you’ll need the following ingredients:
– 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
– 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
– 2 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 tsp. ground cumin
– 1 tsp. dried oregano
– Salt and pepper, to taste
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, ground cumin, and dried oregano until well combined. Season the marinade with salt and pepper to taste.
To marinate the pork for maximum flavor, place the trimmed pork butt in a large resealable plastic bag and pour in the Mojo marinade. Seal the bag tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Alternatively, you can skip the marinating step and simply pour the Mojo marinade over the seared pork butt in the slow cooker before cooking.
Remember to set aside some of the Mojo sauce before pouring it over the pork in the slow cooker. This reserved sauce can be mixed with an equal amount of pork drippings at the end to drizzle over the shredded pork for an extra boost of flavor.
By following these steps to prepare the Mojo marinade and cook the Publix Mojo Pork, you’ll have a delicious and authentic Cuban-inspired meal that’s sure to impress your family and friends.
Preparing The Pork
Before cooking the pork, it is important to properly prepare it. Start by taking the pork out of its packaging and patting it dry with kitchen paper. This will help to remove any excess moisture and prevent the meat from steaming instead of searing.
If the pork has excess fat, trim it off before cooking. This will not only make the pork healthier, but it will also prevent flare-ups while cooking.
For Publix Mojo Pork, sear the pork in a large skillet over medium-high heat until all sides are browned. This will help to lock in the juices and give the pork a delicious crust.
Once seared, transfer the pork to a slow cooker and pour in the Mojo marinade. Add diced onions, sliced oranges, and cilantro (if using) for added flavor. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until the pork is tender and falls apart easily with a fork. Once done, remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks.
Now that your Publix Mojo Pork is ready, serve it with tortillas, black beans, cilantro, and lime wedges for a delicious Cuban-inspired meal. Enjoy!
Cooking The Pork
Cooking the pork for Publix Mojo Pork is a crucial step in achieving that tender, juicy, and flavorful meat that makes this dish so popular. To start, it’s important to choose the right cut of pork – bone-in pork butt is the preferred choice for this recipe.
Before cooking, trim any excess fat from the pork butt to prevent it from becoming greasy or oily. Then, heat up some vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the pork on all sides until it’s browned. This helps to seal in the juices and create a delicious crust on the outside of the meat.
Once seared, transfer the pork to a slow cooker and add in the Mojo marinade, diced onion, sliced orange, and cilantro (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. The Mojo marinade is a key ingredient in this recipe and provides a tangy, citrusy flavor to the pork. It’s made with a blend of orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, and other spices.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours. This low and slow cooking method allows the collagen in the meat to break down into gelatin, resulting in that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that we all love.
Once the pork is done cooking, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. The meat should be so tender that it falls apart easily. Serve with tortillas, black beans, cilantro, and lime wedges for a delicious Cuban-inspired meal that’s sure to impress your friends and family.
Shredding The Pork
Shredding the pork is the final step in making Publix Mojo Pork. There are several methods you can use to shred the pork, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
One classic method is to use two forks. To do this, place the cooked pork on a large cutting board and use a large knife to cut it into large pieces. Then, insert two forks into a piece of meat and pull in opposite directions to get long, thin shreds. Repeat with the remaining meat until it is all shredded. This method is easy and doesn’t require any special equipment, but it can be time-consuming, especially if you have a large batch of pork to shred.
Another method that can save time is to use meat claws. These are handy tools that make quick work of shredding pork and can also help remove any bones that may be left in the meat. Simply place one claw inside a piece of meat and use the other hand to clamp down on the outside. Twist slowly and pull apart at the same time to cut through tough connective tissues easily. However, this method can take some getting used to, and bones may make their way into your final product.
If you have a heavy-duty stand mixer, you can also use it to shred the pork for you. Use a stainless-steel mixer bowl to hold the meat and attach the flat beater to do the shredding. A few seconds on low speed, and you’ll have a bowlful of machine-pulled pork. Just make sure to remove any bones before you start.
No matter which method you choose, be sure to shred the pork while it’s still warm for maximum tenderness and juiciness. Once it’s shredded, you can divide it into shallow containers, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. This way, you’ll always have the makings of a delicious meal at the ready.
Serving Suggestions
There are many ways to enjoy Publix Mojo Pork, and the possibilities are endless. Here are a few serving suggestions to get you started:
1. Tacos: Serve the shredded pork in warm tortillas with diced onions, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
2. Rice and Beans: Pair the pork with a side of black beans and rice for a hearty and satisfying meal.
3. Sandwiches: Pile the pork onto a toasted bun with your favorite toppings, such as coleslaw or pickles.
4. Quesadillas: Layer the pork between two tortillas with shredded cheese and cook until crispy and golden brown.
5. Salad: Top a bed of mixed greens with the shredded pork, avocado slices, and a drizzle of lime vinaigrette.
No matter how you choose to serve it, Publix Mojo Pork is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy!
