With autumn each year, cravings for slow-cooked pork and beef always seem to work their way into my thoughts, creating an almost insatiable hunger for tender, spiced meat. I find that nothing banishes the dreariness of a cold, dark evening quite like a warm plate of succulent, slow-cooked meat. This Yucatan-Style Slow-Roasted Pork, a newer addition to my repertoire, is the perfect cure to my cool weather cravings. The pork rub is made of a tantalizing array of spices including annatto, cumin, allspice, red pepper flake, smoked paprika and ground ancho chile. Slathered and sealed, the 3 pound hunk of Boston butt slowly cooks for 4 to 5 hours nestled in an aluminum foil package. The finished meat is boldly spiced and fall-apart tender. So, so delicious.
Be sure to check out the video below for step-by-step instruction on how to make Yucatan-Style Slow-Roasted Pork. This video is a fairly good representation of how long it would take to prepare this recipe (i.e. minimal editing and advanced prep work). You really can prepare this dish in about 15 – 20 minutes (not including 4 – 5 hours of inactive wait time). Continue reading for the recipe!
Yucatan is a region in Southeast Mexico located on the North part of the Yucatan peninsula known for its slow-roasted, marinated pork. This recipe is an adaptation of the pork found in that area. Enjoy the slow-roasted pork in tacos, burritos, tortas or any other Mexican variation. Or pair with fresh pappardelle for a simple twist on pappardelle with braised short ribs.
Yucatan-Style Slow-Roasted Pork
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons annatto seeds
- 3 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon toasted cumin seeds*
- 1/4 cup Mexican beer
- 1 orange, peeled, deseeded and roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup peeled whole garlic cloves
- 3/4 cup lightly packed fresh cilantro, leaves and stems
- 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon smoked Spanish paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground ancho chile*
- 3 - 4 pounds fresh pork shoulder (Boston butt)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 275°F.
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Add annatto seeds, whole black peppercorns and toasted cumin seeds to a spice grinder, buzzing into a fine powder.
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Pour Mexican beer into the bowl of a food processor. Add chopped orange, garlic, cilantro and kosher salt, processing until the garlic is finely chopped. Add red pepper flakes, allspice, smoked Spanish paprika, ground ancho chile and the annatto-pepper-cumin mixture and process until a loose paste forms.
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Lay a large sheet of aluminum foil on the countertop and place the pork shoulder near one of the ends (we will eventually be rolling the pork up, so leave some room to fold the foil). Slather the pork with the paste, coating every inch. Tightly roll the pork up inside the foil, folding up the sides along the way (similar to rolling up a burrito). Repeat again with another sheet of aluminum foil. Just be sure your pork is sealed tightly inside foil. Place the pork "burrito" in a baking dish then pour in a couple of inches of water (about halfway up the side of the foil-wrapped pork). Tightly cover the entire pan with another pieces of aluminum foil then carefully transfer to the oven.
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Roast the pork until fall-apart tender (about 4 to 5 hours). You can test the doneness of the pork by sticking a skewer through the foil into the meat. If the skewer encounters no resistance, the pork is done. Set the roast aside to cool for at least thirty minutes before cutting into the foil.
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Once the pork has cooled a bit, remove the outer layer of tin foil and cut open the inner layers. Using tongs, transfer the pork to a platter. Save the juices at the bottom of the foil packet (you want the dark, spice-flecked juices - not the water surrounding the packet) to add moisture to the pork if needed.
Recipe Notes
* To toast cumin seeds, warm 1 tablespoon of cumin seeds in a small skillet over low heat. Cook, swirling the skillet occasionally, until the seeds are fragrant and slightly darker in color. This process does require some attention. Spices left alone over heat have a tendency to burn.
* Ground ancho chile can be purchased online, but it is very simple to make at home. To make ground ancho chile, start with three whole, dried ancho chiles. Remove each stem. Slice one of the chiles down the side and open like a book. Use a small, sharp knife to remove all of the seeds. Repeat with the remaining chiles. Preheat oven to 350°F. Flatten chiles out on a baking sheet then toast for 5 minutes in the oven. Crumble toasted chiles into a spice grinder, then buzz into a fine powder. The smell is un. real.
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kyleen says
This looks delicious. I imagine the slow roasted pork would be heavenly in between two slice of bread.
Hallie says
We planted a cilantro plant in our garden this spring so that we’d have it to add to yummy recipes like yours, but it was the first thing to die. 🙁 This looks so good, I can just smell the cilantro and all those spices.
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
I’ve never had luck growing cilantro either! It seems so fragile. I’ve given up on it since I can usually find a bunch of cilantro for under a dollar at the market.
Gay says
Good thing for me, cilantro is widely used here in Thailand 🙂
Anna says
Such a hearty recipe! Full and rich with flavors. I may have a little difficulty completing the spices list…But I won’t give up trying. I will make time to make this delicious dish!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
Thanks! Definitely try to find the annatto seed – it makes a big difference!
Yucatan Guest says
This is actually called Cochinita or Lechón, and the original recipe has different ingredients and is not oven cooked, it actually goes into the ground and is sits there for aprox. 2 days. Of course thats the traditional way of doing it.
One thing I really think it’s important to mention is that the meat shouldn’t be that pink, it’s supposed to be a little dryer and whiter.
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
Hi! Thanks for the information. This recipe is certainly an adaptation of the traditional Cochinita Pibil (some of the similar flavors being annatto, citrus and garlic). I hope to eventually visit Yucatan to experience the real deal!
In regards to the color of the meat, the pork showed in the video (and picture) above was fully cooked to a safe internal temperature. Roasting the meat covered with water will ensure a tender and juicy finished product.
Susanne Voros says
The combination of spices sounds amazing. The pork looks delicious!
Grubarazzi says
Gorgeous! I imagine using this in a variety of ways throughout the week. Yummo!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
Yes! It is very versatile. And it freezes well, so you can enjoy it weeks (or months) later!
Ashley says
This looks like a wonderful meal to welcome the chillier nights finally arriving here. I love all the spices, and fresh cilantro seems like the perfect finishing touch.
Platanos, Mangoes and Me! says
I got to meet you through your video and this pork is unbelievable….
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
Thanks! Nice to “meet” you as well 🙂
Beth Michelle says
So delicious. I love a good slow roasted pork. Your recipe sounds amazing.
Mitchell says
Watched this video again for the second, maybe even third time. You did a really great job on it Brandon. If meat were comparable to the decadence of an ice cream or dark chocolate dessert, this would definitely be a meal worthy of seconds. The combination of seasonings is atrociously bold, yet shows your ardent tenacity for cooking with “konfidence.” Last night I prepared turkey burgers using your recommended Worcestershire sauce and Montreal steak seasoning with one egg and oatmeal. Came out great. Next time you’re whipping up madness in the kitchen, need some help with your next video, or could simply use an extra hand, you know where to go. Looking forward to Thanksgiving and I’m preparing to be overwhelmed with taste bud delight.
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Seany 🙂 Glad to hear you are experimenting in the kitchen. I was just telling someone about your pizza making skills!
Thanksgiving is going to be fun this year. I’ve got some new menu items in store for ya 🙂
manana says
can i use slow cooker instead??? and if so should i add water in it ???
Brandon Matzek says
You can use a slow cooker on the low setting. I would still wrap the meat in foil and set in water.
manana says
thank you for your respond, i have made the pork in a slow cooker few times and it came out delicious …its a keeper..
thanks for the recipe :))))
Heather says
Hey Brandon, I’m dying to make this recipe but can only find annatto paste, vs. seeds, locally. Will this work? If so what do you recommend for an amount to use?
Brandon Matzek says
Hi Heather! I’m actually not quite sure what the substitution would be. I believe annatto paste has things in it other than just ground annatto seeds. Maybe try ordering the seeds online?