Cochinita Pibil

Cochinita Pibil

Prep Time 4 hours plus overnight marinating
📈 Difficulty Hard
👥 Servings
8

A Yucatecan slow-roasted marinated meat dish wrapped in banana leaves and cooked underground in a pib oven. The achiote marinade gives the meat its signature vibrant orange-red color and earthy citrus flavor.

Nutrition & Info

353 kcal per serving
Protein 17.7g
Carbs 34.0g
Fat 16.1g
Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

gluten-free dairy-free

Instructions

  1. 1

    Blend the achiote paste with orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, black pepper, and salt into a smooth, vivid red-orange marinade.

  2. 2

    Score the lamb shoulder deeply on all sides, rub the marinade into every cut and crevice, then cover and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to penetrate fully.

  3. 3

    Line a large roasting pan with softened banana leaves, place the marinated meat on top, fold the leaves over to create a sealed package, and cover tightly with foil.

  4. 4

    Roast in a 150-degree oven for three and a half to four hours until the meat is so tender it shreds effortlessly with a fork and the juices run rich and red.

  5. 5

    Shred all the meat and mix it with the accumulated cooking juices, then serve on warm corn tortillas topped with pickled red onion and a slice of fiery habanero pepper.

💡

Did You Know?

Traditional cochinita pibil is cooked in a pib, an underground Mayan earth oven, and the dish dates back to pre-Columbian times when it was prepared for the Day of the Dead celebrations.

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!