Cochinita Pibil Recipe

Cochinita Pibil is a typical Yucatán dish, made with pork marinated with achiote, bitter orange and spices , slowly cooked, traditionally wrapped in banana leaves. The result is a very tender and fragrant meat, perfect for tacos, tortas or to be enjoyed with tortillas.

Ingredients (for 6 people)

• Pork shoulder – 1.5 kg (or boneless leg)

• Achiote paste – 100 g

• Bitter orange juice (or 50% orange + 50% lime) – 250 ml

• Apple cider vinegar – 50 ml

• Garlic – 4 cloves

• Mexican Oregano – 1 teaspoon

• Cumin – 1 teaspoon

• Salt and pepper – to taste

• Banana leaves – to taste (optional but traditional)

• Bay leaf – 1

👉 To serve:

• Corn tortillas 🌮

• Marinated red onion (onion, lime, salt)

• Habanero Sauce 🌶️

• Lime wedges

Preparation

1️⃣ Prepare the marinade:

• In a bowl, mix achiote paste, bitter orange juice, vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper .

• Massage the meat with this marinade and let it rest in the fridge for at least 4 hours , better if all night.

2️⃣ Prepare the cooking:

• Preheat the oven to 160°C .

• Line a baking tray with banana leaves (if available), place the meat on top and pour the remaining marinade over it.

• Cover with more banana leaves and seal well with aluminum foil.

3️⃣ Slow cooking:

• Cook the meat in the oven for 4 hours .

• The meat is ready when it is so tender that it flakes easily with a fork.

4️⃣ Shred the meat:

• Remove the meat from the pan and shred it with two forks.

• Baste the meat with its cooking juices.

5️⃣ Serve:

• Serve the cochinita pibil with warm tortillas , marinated red onion and habanero sauce .

• Top with fresh lime.