La Casita-Style Pernil

This healthier version of La Casita-Style Pernil uses whole-food, organic ingredients to bring authentic Puerto Rican flavors home.

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Ingredients

  • 1 whole organic, free-range skin-on pork shoulder (about 4-5 lbs)
  • 2 cups of filtered water
  • 1/2 cup of organic apple cider vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons of honey
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon of ground allspice
  • 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon of dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 8 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary, tied together
  • 1 small bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)

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What you'll need

Instructions

  1. Place the pork shoulder in a large pot or Dutch oven. Pour filtered water to cover the meat by about an inch.
  2. Add apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, allspice, oregano, thyme, bay leaves, sliced onion, minced garlic, and tied rosemary to the pot with the pork shoulder. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
  3. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until the meat is very tender when pierced with a fork.
  4. Remove the pork from the pot using tongs and place on a cutting board. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine mesh sieve into a small bowl, reserving the juices for basting.
  5. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Transfer the pork, skin-side up, to a roasting pan and pat the skin dry — do not trim off the skin or fat cap; it becomes the crispy cuero that defines pernil.
  6. Baste the sides with some of the reserved cooking liquid (keeping the skin dry) and roast uncovered for 30-40 minutes until the skin is crispy, blistered, and golden brown.
  7. Let the pork rest for about 20 minutes before slicing or shredding. Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired.

FAQ

Is this La Casita-Style Pernil gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe does not contain any gluten-containing ingredients.

Can I use maple syrup instead of honey?

Absolutely! Maple syrup can be a good substitution for honey in this dish.

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