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Best Easy Lechón al Horno Yucateco Recipe

Name: Best Easy Lechón al Horno Yucateco Recipe
Total time: 660 min
Yield: 200 g
Ingredients: whole pork shoulder 6 lbs; sour orange juice 1 cup; garlic cloves 10 cloves; banana leaves 4 pieces; achiote paste 1 oz; salt 2 tbsp; black pepper 2 tsp; dried oregano 2 tsp

Slow-roasted whole pig marinated in achiote and sour orange is Yucatán's ultimate feast dish. This high protein, carnivore centerpiece is perfect for family celebrations and special occasions.

Cook 660 min Difficulty HARD 340 kcal

#high protein #carnivore #special occasion #celebration feast

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Ingredients

Main ingredients

whole pork shoulder 6 lbs
sour orange juice 1 cup
garlic cloves 10 cloves
banana leaves 4 pieces

Seasonings/Sauce

achiote paste 1 oz
salt 2 tbsp
black pepper 2 tsp
dried oregano 2 tsp

Nutrition summary

Carbohydrates 2 g 2%

Protein 29 g 34%

Fat 23 g 64%

Serving size 200g

Cooking steps

1

Prepare the marinade by blending sour orange juice, garlic cloves, achiote paste, salt, black pepper, and oregano until smooth.
2

Score the surface of the pork shoulder, then rub the marinade deeply into the meat and refrigerate at least 8 hours, ideally overnight.
3

Preheat your oven to 275°F. Line a roasting pan with banana leaves, then place the marinated pork on top and wrap securely.
4

Roast covered for 8 hours, basting every 2 hours with pan juices to maintain moisture. Increase temperature to 425°F for the final 30 minutes to crisp the skin.
5

Allow the pork to rest, covered, for 20 minutes before carving. Serve warm with reserved pan juices.

Personalized Q&A

Q. What's the key ingredient in this Lechón al Horno Yucateco recipe?

The core ingredient is the whole pork shoulder, which delivers both flavor and texture. Combined with achiote paste and sour orange juice, it gives the dish its signature Yucatán taste and festive centerpiece status.

Q. Which step is most important for ensuring tenderness and flavor?

Marinating the pork overnight with the achiote and sour orange blend, followed by slow roasting at low heat (275°F), creates the deep flavor and tenderness Lechón is famous for. The final high heat crisping ensures perfect texture.

Q. How can you prevent overcooking or drying out the pork?

Keep the pork covered with banana leaves during roasting and baste with pan juices every 2 hours. These steps retain moisture and prevent the pork from drying out even during the long cooking time.

Q. What is the nutritional profile per serving?

Each 200g serving has about 340 kcal, with 29g protein (34%), 2g carbs (2%), and 23g fat (64%). This makes it a high protein, carnivore-friendly dish with minimal carbohydrate content.

Best Easy Lechón al Horno Yucateco Recipe

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