If you’ve never had Cochinita Pibil before, get ready! This is the most tender, fall apart, perfectly seasoned pork you’ll ever have!
When we were in Mexico City last year, one of our favorite meals was from a hole in the wall taco shop next to our hotel. They literally ONLY served Cochinita Pibil! They had Cochinita Pibil tacos, tortas and quesadillas and we were in heaven. Cochinita Pibil is Yucatán-Style Barbecued Pork that is typically slowly cooked in a giant hole in the ground. It’s not spicy, has a subtle sweetness and works like a charm on tacos, nachos, sandwiches etc.
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m not planning to dig a hole in the ground anytime soon. I’ve done it once before when we were in Belize and it didn't end well. Instead, we’re making this in our shiny new All-Clad Electric Dutch Oven. If you haven’t seen this cast iron Dutch oven before, let me give you the quick lowdown. You can use this like a typical slow cooker and utilize the simple one-touch menu to "set and forget" until it’s time to eat. OR you can use the cast-iron Dutch oven insert to sear and sauté food on the stovetop before programming the slow cooker. GENIUS. 1-pot meals just got a lot easier. You can also throw the Dutch oven insert into the oven should you need to transfer anything in there as well. It can do basically everything and it’s been living on my counter the last few weeks!
Okay now that we’re all informed on the best slow cooker out there, let’s get to the recipe!
Grab some pork, citrus juice, achiote paste (which can easily be ordered online or found at your local Hispanic market) and some cumin. Before you know it, your kitchen will smell incredible and you’ll be making all the food with Cochinita Pibil for the foreseeable future! Also bonus - this freezes great if you want to portion it out and freeze for a later date!
This post is sponsored by All-Clad Metalcrafters. All opinions and content are my own.
Cochinita Pibil
Ingredients
- 4-5 pounds pork shoulder or pork loin, cut into 1.5-inch chunks
- 1 cup freshly-squeezed orange juice
- â…“ cup freshly-squeezed lime juice
- 1 3.5 ounce package achiote paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the achiote paste, orange juice, lime juice and cumin in a blender or food processor. Pulse briefly until combined.
- Place the pork in the All-Clad Electric Dutch Oven, then drizzle the pork evenly with the marinade. Toss to combine. (Make sure to rinse out your blender IMMEDIATELY, so that the achiote does not stain it.)
- Place the lid on the All-Clad Electric Dutch Oven and cook on high for 5 hours or on low for 8 hours, until the pork is tender and shreds easily with a fork. Remove the lid. Use two forks to shred the pork into bite-sized pieces, then toss it briefly with the remaining juices.
- Taste and season with salt, pepper and/or lime juice as needed. Serve warm with assorted garnishes, family style, so people can DIY their own tacos / bowls.
Notes
- Don't forget to rinse your blender right away! The peppers will stain it if it's plastic.
- You can use a Dutch oven in the oven or a slow cooker.
Is it hard to find achieve paste?
I usually order it on amazon
Yum! Adding to my list... looks delicious.
I love this!!! I used my slow cooker almost weekly for years, id love the all clad Dutch oven!!
I will be trying this recipe this weekend. We have really been enjoying your recipes, thank you!
Will give it a try this week. Loving your recipes! Thank you
Is there a substitute for the achiote paste?
unfortunately not if you want to make Cochinita Pibil!! But there are a few other slow cooked pork recipes on the blog that are equally as amazing!
Hi Gaby,
We absolutely love your recipes! My wife bought me an Instant Pot for Christmas and I've been using their recipes but I'd love to make your stuff in it.
Any tips for Cochinita Pibil in the Instant Pot?
Best, Whit
I haven't tried it so I can't say for sure!! I'm sorry!
Gaby, I love your recipes, but I don't have achiote paste at Publix in Florida. 😉 Perhaps you could share a substitute? -Laurie
I couldn't find paste either so I bought powder and she said to start with 2TBS. I'm making it now!
I link on Instagram brought me here to enter to win the All Clad Electric Dutch Oven so that I can make this delicious meal how do I go about entering?
I could really use all of this right now! Looks delicious, and when we can travel again, Mexico City is right there at the top of the list!
Can this be made in an Instant Pot? If so, what would be the setting and time?
I would just use the instant pot slow cooker setting with the same times!
Sounds like Mojo marinade available at grocery store. Publix carries it locally. I have a sauce for it.
1 C cider vinegar
1 T Worcestershire
2/3 C prepared mustard
1/2 C sugar
2 T chili powder
1 t white pepper
1 t black pepper
1/2 t hot sauce
2 T butter
1/2 t soy sauce
Bring to boil first 8 ingredients. Reduce and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add soy and butter.
This looks delicious! How would you cook the pork without an electic dutch oven?
Hi, is it achiote rojo paste? Is this paste spicy?
yes that's it! Not spicy!
Hi, I was wondering if you think I could make this in an Instapot?
Thank you, can’t wait to try it!
haven't tried it so I can't say for certain!!
What if you don't have the All Clad Electric Dutch oven - how much time in a regular crock pot, please?
Thanks! P.S. LOVE all your recipes!!!
cook on high for 5 hours, or on low for 8 hours
Where do you get the all clad electric Dutch oven I’m trying this recipe thank you
This looks amazing! Can it be done on the stovetop or oven possibly?