Skinnytaste > Weight Watchers – WW Recipes > Slow Cooker Pernil (Puerto Rican Roast Pork)

Slow Cooker Pernil (Puerto Rican Roast Pork)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Slow Cooker Pernil (Puerto Rican Roast Pork) is made with pork shoulder marinated overnight in garlic, citrus juices, cumin and oregano and slow cooked all day in the slow cooker.

Pork shoulder marinated overnight in garlic, citrus juices, cumin and oregano and slow cooked all day in the slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Pernil (Puerto Rican Pork)

My family loves Latin food, especially Puerto Rican cuisine! This Slow Cooker Pernil (Puerto Rican Roast Pork) is a staple in our home! Trust me, when you walk in the door from wherever you are all day you’re going to be happy you made this!

Pernil is a typical dish I grew up eating, it’s popular in the Latin Caribbean islands such as Puerto Rico and Cuba, served with rice and beans during the holidays or whenever there’s a reason to celebrate.

A typical Pernil recipe is slow roasted in the oven with a huge slab of fat on top, which gets crispy as it cooks. My lightened version, I use a boneless shoulder blade roast, trimmed of all the fat. This dish is easy enough to make as a weeknight meal.

I season the pork the night before and refrigerate it in the crock pot. Then when I wake up the next morning, I take it out and plug it in and come home to an amazing smelling dish. I usually serve it over brown rice and make a quick slaw of cabbage, red onion and bell pepper with olive oil and vinegar or lime juice.

Pictured above, I served this over brown rice with avocado and my go to Quick Cabbage Slaw. Leftovers are great for tacos, salads, Cuban sandwiches, you name it! I love making these Cuban Sandwich Quesadillas!

How To Make Slow Cooker Pernil

And since so many are asking, although I have and love my Instant Pot, I still love my slow cooker! I have the 6 Quart Hamilton Beach Set ‘n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker (affil link). I love it because you can adjust the time you want it to cook, and it automatically turns to warm when it’s done. It also has a probe for meat that automatically shuts off when done. I hated my old crock pot, it burnt everything and my food had a weird taste. This slow cooker is so great, I actually own several!

Skinny Slow Cooker Pernil (Puerto Rican Pork)

Skinny Slow Cooker Pernil (Puerto Rican Pork)

Skinnytaste Simple promo banner

Skinny Slow Cooker Pernil (Puerto Rican Pork)

4.88 from 41 votes
7
Cals:265
Protein:34
Carbs:3
Fat:12
Pork shoulder marinated overnight in garlic, citrus juices, cumin and oregano and slow cooked all day in the slow cooker.
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Pork shoulder marinated overnight in garlic, citrus juices, cumin and oregano and slow cooked all day in the slow cooker.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 8 hours
Total: 8 hours
Yield: 8 servings
Serving Size: 3 oz pork

Ingredients

  • 3 lb boneless pork shoulder blade roast, lean, all fat removed
  • 4-5 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tbsp coarse salt
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tbsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp crushed black pepper
  • 3 oranges, juice of (1/2 cup)
  • 2 limes, juice of

Instructions

  • Using a sharp knife, cut slits into the pork and stuff holes with half of the crushed garlic.
  • Combine the remaining ingredients and pour over pork.
  • Place in the ceramic part of the crock pot, cover and refrigerate, turning pork occasionally so the marinade covers all of pork.
  • The next day, remove the crock pot and cook on low, 8 hours.
  • After 8 hours, remove pork and shred using two forks.
  • Remove liquid from crock pot and add pork back to crock.
  • Add about 1 cup of the liquid back and adjust salt, pepper and cumin (you will probably need to add more).
  • Let it cook another 15-30 minutes.

Last Step:

Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.

Nutrition

Serving: 3 oz pork, Calories: 265 kcal, Carbohydrates: 3 g, Protein: 34 g, Fat: 12 g, Saturated Fat: 4.5 g, Cholesterol: 114 mg, Sodium: 574 mg, Sugar: 1.5 g

Categories: