Pernil with Arroz con Gandules

Ingredients

• For the Pernil (Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder)
• 4-5 lbs pork shoulder (bone-in, skin-on preferred) 🐖
• 6 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
• 2 tbsp olive oil 🫒
• 1 tbsp adobo seasoning
• 1 tbsp sazón (with annatto, for color and flavor) ✨
• 1 tbsp oregano 🌿
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika 🌶️
• 0.25 cup orange juice 🍊
• 0.25 cup lime juice 🍋
• 0.5 cup chicken broth 🍲
• For the Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pigeon Peas)
• 2 cups medium-grain white rice 🍚
• 1 can (15 oz) gandules (pigeon peas), drained 🫘
• 3 cups chicken broth 🍲
• 1 tbsp olive oil 🫒
• 0.5 small onion, diced 🧅
• 0.5 red bell pepper, diced 🌶️
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
• 1 tbsp sofrito (cilantro, culantro, garlic, and peppers blended) 🌿
• 1 tbsp tomato sauce 🍅
• 0.5 tsp smoked paprika 🌶️
• 0.5 tsp cumin
• 0.5 tsp oregano 🌿
• 0.5 tsp sazón ✨
• 0.5 cup pimiento-stuffed green olives (optional) 🫒
• 0.5 tsp salt (adjust to taste) 🧂
• 0.25 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. 1Prepare the Pernil
2. 21️⃣ Marinate the Pork – In a bowl, mix garlic, olive oil, adobo, sazón, oregano, black pepper, paprika, orange juice, and lime juice. Rub the marinade all over the pork, making deep cuts to absorb the flavor. Cover and marinate for at least 12 hours (overnight is best). 🧄🔥
3. 32️⃣ Slow Roast the Pernil – Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the pork in a roasting pan, pour in the chicken broth, cover with foil, and roast for 4-5 hours, basting occasionally. 🍖🔥
4. 43️⃣ Crisp the Skin – Remove foil, increase heat to 450°F (230°C), and roast uncovered for another 30-45 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Let rest before shredding. 🐖✨
5. 5Make the Arroz con Gandules
6. 64️⃣ Sauté the Aromatics – In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion, bell pepper, garlic, and sofrito until fragrant. Stir in tomato sauce, paprika, cumin, oregano, and sazón. Cook for 2 minutes. 🧄🌿🔥
7. 75️⃣ Simmer the Rice – Add gandules (pigeon peas) and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then stir in rice. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes, until rice is fluffy and liquid is absorbed. 🍚🔥
8. 86️⃣ Fluff & Serve – Fluff the rice with a fork and adjust seasoning if needed. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. 🍲✨
9. 9Serve & Enjoy
10. 107️⃣ Plate It Up – Serve the tender, juicy pernil over a generous portion of arroz con gandules. Garnish with lime wedges and fresh cilantro. 🍋🌿🔥