Masitas de Puerco

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Cuban Masitas de Puerco are crispy fried pork chunks marinated in sour orange, garlic, oregano, and cumin. A classic Cuban recipe that's easy to make and packed with flavor.

Prep Time15

Cook Time45

Total Time1

Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack

Cuisine: Cuban

Servings:

Calories: 451kcal

Author: Catherine Arena

Ingredients

3 pounds boneless pork shoulder or pork butt rinsed and cut into 1½ inch chunks
1 cup sour orange juice (naranja agria)
3 tablespoons garlic puree or 9 cloves mashed into a paste
½ teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
vegetable oil for frying

Mojo Topping

2 tablespoons lard or vegetable oil
1 onion sliced
5 cloves garlic finely minced
1 small sour orange juiced

For Serving

lime wedges
sauteed white onions

Instructions

Marinate the Pork

Place the pork chunks in a large bowl. Add the sour orange, garlic, oregano, cumin, salt and black pepper. Toss well to coat the pork evenly in the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours or preferably overnight.

Prepare the Pork for Frying

Remove the pork chunks from the marinade and and discard the marinade. Pat the pork pieces dry with paper towels.
Pour enough vegetable oil into a large heavy bottomed por or deep skillet to reach about 2 to 3 inches deep. Heat the oil over medium heat until hot.
Working in batches, carefully add the pork chunks to the hot oil. (Avoid overcrowding the pan)
Increase the heat slightly and cook the pork for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until the pork begins to brown. (As the pork cooks, it will release moisture, so raising the heat helps maintain the oil temperature.)
Continue cooking for another 10 minutes, or until cooked through and crispy. Make sure to turn the pieces occasionally as they cook.

Drain

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pork pieces to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.

Make Mojo

In a sauepan, over medium heat, add the oil and onions. Cook until the onions are translucent.
Add the garlic, stir, and cook for 20 seconds (do not burn the garlic!)
Remove the pan from heat, add the juice, stir and top on pork chunks. Serve immediately with lime wedges and your favorite sides.

Notes

Recipe Notes:

Substitute for sour oranges: 2 parts orange juice plus 1 part lime juice

Storing: Allow the pork to cool some before storing in an airtight container and make sure to consume within 3 days.
Reheating: For th
- Oven. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Reheat the chunks for 15 minutes or until heated through.
- Air Fryer. Set the air fryer to 375 degrees and heat for 10 minutes or until heated through and crispy.

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