Mexican Cochinita Pibil (Roasted Yucatan Style Pork)

This Cochinita Pibil recipe is tender pork shoulder marinated in citrus juices and spices, then slow roasted over low heat to perfection! This Mexican pork dish is traditional to the Yucatan area of Mexico.

I’ve been eating Cochinita Pibil Tacos for years when traveling to the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, but I have never attempted to recreate them at home! Cochinita Pibil is totally different in flavor and technique than the pork I normally make for tacos (this Adobo Pork Street Tacos or Al Pastor Tacos)!

This recipe below is an easy, adapted version of the traditional Yucatan roasted pork dish, reconfigured for modern kitchens and the products we can purchase here in the States.

Traditional Cochinita Pibil was made with a whole suckling pig (a baby pig), slathered in acidic juices and ground annatto seeds and other spices. It was wrapped in banana leaves. The banana leaf package was then roasted over hot stones in a Mayan oven, or sometimes in a pit underground!

If you love pork chile verde, I know you’ll love cochinita pibil! Both have super tender pork; the difference is in the sauce ingredients! Chile verde has a green sauce made primarily of tomatillos, where cochinita pibil uses achiote paste to give the sauce it’s distinct red color.

Ingredients

I adapted this Mexican Pibil recipe by using the following ingredients. You will need:

• Pork shoulder: Use boneless or bone-in pork shoulder. You will be breaking down the pork roast before marinating, so it does not matter.
• Orange juice: Fresh orange juice is used in place of bitter Seville oranges, which are traditional but hard to find in the States.
• Lime juice: Fresh lime juice is best.
• Achiote Paste: This is something you will have to purchase, and I have it linked in the recipe card below. You can also find it at Latin markets. Please note that you can also try your hand at making your own achiote paste using this recipe. If you do this, you will need to purchase annatto seeds, whole allspice berries, and a few other common spices.
• A few common seasonings

That’s it! You can see the quantities and instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post. This recipe is actually very simple, it’s just all about allowing enough time for the acidic marinade to sink into the meat. And, allowing enough time for the pork to slow roast!

I would like to note that traditionally, this recipe is made with bitter orange juice that comes from Seville oranges. Sour orange juice is difficult to find in the United States, so I’ve adjusted the recipe to use a combination of commonly available ingredients instead.

I like to marinate the pork on Saturday, then throw the marinated pork in the oven on Sunday morning. It makes the house smell amazing!

Cooking Method Alternatives

I used a conventional oven for this recipe, but there are several other ways to cook this delicious pork:

• Slow Cooker: Roast the marinated pork in your crock pot for 8 to 10 hours on low heat.
• Smoker: Smoke at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for 9-10 hours in an aluminum pan. Tent with aluminum foil for the last 3-4 hours.
• Instant Pot: Pressure cook the pork for 60 minutes, allow to naturally release.

Traditional accompaniments for Cochinita Pibil

Top your Mexican pibil with:

• Pickled red onions or any type of pickled onions
• Fresh cilantro
• Warm corn tortillas
• Lime wedges
• Diced habanero peppers or jalapeno peppers
• Queso fresco or cotija cheese crumbles
• Mango habanero salsa
• Black beans

Substitutions for Cochinita Pibil

There are a few ingredient substitutions you can make if needed, including:

• Instead of lime juice, try lemon juice, white vinegar or grapefruit juice
• Unfortunately, there is no adequate substitute for the achiote paste, regardless of what other articles may tell you. It’s a unique flavor that’s not easily replicated!

Serving Suggestions for Cochinita Pibil

This tender Yucatan pork is delicious by itself in tortas (Mexican sandwiches), or in tacos!

For side dish ideas, serve this cochinita pibil recipe with Arepa con Queso, Cilantro Lime Brown Rice, Cilantro Lime Cole Slaw, Calabacitas or Esquites.

For dessert, consider making this incredible Leche Flan Cake! Take it up a notch with a delicious, Mexican-inspired cocktail like this Mezcal Margarita or delicious Tequila Sunrise! For an NA alternative, whip up this Margarita Mocktail.

Storing Leftover Cochinita Pibil Pork

This recipe is even better the following day! Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. I like to make tacos, enchiladas and burrito bowls with it!

I hope that you love this roasted Yucatan pork recipe! If you try it, let me know how it went in the comments below.