Slow Cooker Cuban Pork Lechon Asado

Need more Tex-Mex in your life? Try my Best Taco Meat recipe! This recipe is an attempt to recreate a delicious Cuban roast pork from a local restaurant. Tender, melt in your mouth pork with rice and black beans, which served topped with fried plantains is one of our guilty pleasures. It’s the type of a meal that feels like you’ve come home. Even if you’ve never eaten it before, it’s easy to fall in love with. It’s the best of comfort food!

Lechon Asado

Cuban roast pork packs an incredible flavour. And don’t even get me started on the texture! For the most part it is tender and juicy pork. But once in a while you’d come across a slightly crispy bit made by being too close to the edge of a roasting pan. Finding a few of those on your plate feels like winning a lottery! Although traditionally roasted in an oven or even grilled in a covered grill, I was set on using a slow cooker. It’s easy, convenient, and it makes delicious food accessible to everyone! I thrilled to see that the pork came out beautifully. And the texture was spot on. But I wasn’t willing to compromise on the crispy bits! One of the things you can do to re-create the crispy bits is to spread your pork on a baking sheet and put it under a broiler (grill in the UK) for a minute or so. Watch your meat carefully, though, so it doesn’t burn!

Pork marinade

Without a doubt, the most important part of this recipe is the marinade. A mixture of citrus, onions, garlic, oregano, black peppercorns and olive oil gives the pork incredible flavour while also tenderising it. I leave it to marinate in my fridge overnight for the flavour to fully develop. The following morning, simply add the pork with the marinade to your slow cooker and leave slow cooking till dinner. Hassle free cooking at its best!

Cuban black beans

Black beans are a common feature in much of Latin American cooking and Cubans make them as well as anyone. They lie at the heart of Cuban cuisine as a flavourful, cheap and nutritious food that will compliment many other dishes. Normally you will find it served over rice with a hit of acid from a slice of lime. The Cuban version is fairly soupy but still quite creamy and with no shortage of flavour. Of course, they can be made thicker if you prefer and will naturally thicken up if given time. I am happy to enjoy a meal with just these Cuban black beans served over rice, but also think that they compliment slow cooked pork beautifully. And although it might not be traditional, they are amazing as a topping for a baked potato or when served with nachos!

Serving Suggestions

Cuban pork is usually served with rice and beans. I’ve also included the recipe for the beans below. It’s a simple, very inexpensive and an utterly delicious side dish to your pork. Or wrap it up in a tortilla as a truly amazing burrito filling! If you can track down plantains, slice and fry those up and add to your pork and beans! Finish with a wedge of lime to add a citrus hit.

Storage and leftovers

This Slow Cooker Cuban Pork recipe produces quite a large amount of meat and the good news is it freezes beautifully! It will keep well in your freezer for up to 1 month. Or keep it in the fridge for up to four days. It’s absolutely amazing in a quesadilla! Or in the famous Cuban sandwich.