Cochinita Pibil

By Gaby

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If you’ve never had Cochinita Pibil before, get ready! This is the most tender, fall apart, perfectly seasoned pork you’ll ever have! 

Cochinita Pibil from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

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! 

Cochinita Pibil from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

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 from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Cochinita Pibil

5 from 7 votes
A super simple slow cooker Cochinita Pibil recipe that replicates all that incredible Cochinita Pibil we had in Mexico City last year
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Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 5 hrs
Total Time 5 hrs 15 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 4-5 pounds pork shoulder or pork loin, cut into 1.5-inch chunks
  • 1 cup freshly-squeezed orange juice
  • 1/3 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.

53 Comments

  1. 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!!!

    Reply

    2. Where do you get the all clad electric Dutch oven I’m trying this recipe thank you

  5. 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.

    Reply

  7. 5 stars
    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!

    Reply

    1. I couldn’t find paste either so I bought powder and she said to start with 2TBS. I’m making it now!

    2. 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?

  9. 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

    Reply

    1. 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!

  12. I will be trying this recipe this weekend. We have really been enjoying your recipes, thank you!

    Reply

  28. Can’t wait to try. However we don’t have one of those fancy cookers, do probably stovetop. Guessing about 3 hours on low? Just made homemade flour tortillas the other night, would go perfect with this.

    Reply

  35. Looks really good!
    Saw this on your IG Feed to win the Dutch oven ! Hope this is the way to enter. Can’t wait to check out your other recipes

    Reply

  37. 5 stars
    Made this over the weekend, we really liked it and had leftovers a few time. I did add a little bit of Taco Fajitas Señorita to spice it up a bit, hope that ok . Super easy to make and .

    Reply

  38. I purchased bone-in pork shoulder and I wasn’t able to cut as much of the meat off of it as planned. Should I add the bone+attached meat to the slow cooker or will it burn?

    Reply

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