Cochinita Pibil is a traditional Mexican dish that hails from the Yucatán Peninsula, renowned for its rich history and distinctive flavors. The name "Cochinita" means "little pig" in Spanish, and "Pibil" comes from the Mayan word "pib," which refers to a traditional cooking technique involving a pit oven.
Cochinita Pibil Tacos
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Category
Dinner
Servings
4
Cochinita Pibil is a traditional Mexican dish from the Yucatán Peninsula. It’s made with marinated pork, wrapped in banana leaves, and slow-cooked until tender. Here’s a recipe for you:
The Spice Guy Chef Team
Ingredients
2 lbs Pork Shoulder
½ Cup Achiote Paste
1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh orange juice
1/4 cup (60 ml) lime juice
4 Garlic Cloves (minced)
1 TBSP White Vinegar
Banana Leaves (optional, for wrapping)
Pickled Red Onions (garnish)
Corn Tortillas (for serving)
Cochinita Pibil Spice by The Spice Guy (2 TBSP)
Directions
Marinate the Pork:
In a blender or food processor, combine the achiote paste, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, vinegar, and your Cochinita Pibil Spice. Blend until smooth.Place the pork chunks in a large bowl or zip-top bag and pour the marinade over the meat. Make sure the pork is well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight for best flavor.
Prepare for Cooking: your oven to 325°F (160°C).If using banana leaves, soften them by passing them briefly over a flame or dipping them in hot water. Line a large baking dish with the banana leaves, leaving enough overhang to wrap the pork.
Cook the Pork: the marinated pork in the banana leaf-lined dish. Pour any remaining marinade over the meat.Fold the banana leaves over the pork to create a package. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. (You Could re-season here if you are bad ass.) Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 3-4 hours, or until the pork is very tender and can be easily shredded with a fork.
Serve: cooked, remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.Shred the pork using two forks.Serve the Cochinita Pibil with warm corn tortillas, pickled red onions, and a squeeze of lime. Enjoy with rice or beans if desired.
Recipe Note
Tips:
Pickled Red Onions: To make a quick pickled onion, thinly slice a red onion and soak it in a mixture of 1/2 cup lime juice and a pinch of salt for at least 30 minutes.Banana Leaves Substitute: If you can’t find banana leaves, you can use aluminum foil to wrap the pork, though the banana leaves add a distinctive flavor.
Enjoy your delicious Cochinita Pibil!