Want to try a new and exciting marinade for pork tenderloin? This easy Cuban Mojo Marinade For Pork Tenderloin will be a fun, new way to add lots of flavor to your dinner table. This delicious recipe is from the cookbook, CHEF RONALDO’S SABORES DE CUBA (affiliate Amazon link). I was given permission to share the recipe with you here. Food, family and health intertwine throughout Chef Ronaldo‘s bilingual cookbook sharing new Cuban cuisine. The focus is phenomenal food with the added benefit of being healthy too! In fact, their recipes are Diabetes-Friendly Traditional and Nuevo Cubano Cuisine. You will love this Cuban mojo marinated pork recipe bursting with flavor. The secret is in the marinade. This blog post provides a step-by-step guide to creating the perfect mojo marinade that will make your taste buds sing!
Cuban Cuisine: Mojo Pork Tenderloin Recipe
First, you may be wondering, what Is Mojo Pork? It is a delicious dinner dish! Mojo pork (or lechón asado) is a Cuban-style roasted pork dish marinated in mojo sauce—a citrusy, garlicky marinade typically made with sour orange juice (or a mix of orange and lime juice), garlic, oregano, cumin, and olive oil. It’s often served with white rice, black beans, and fried plantains or used in Cuban sandwiches (cubanos). This particular cut of pork is fast and easy to cook and doesn’t require the slow cooker of a more traditional Cuban roast pork.
Here I have reprinted with permission, the Mojo-Marinated Pork Tenderloin Recipe (Pernil) from “Chef Ronaldo’s Sabores de Cuba”, p. 48:
This recipe takes the classic pork shoulder dish (pernil) and makes it healthier while still giving you the amazing Cubano flavor that we love. I have substituted pork tenderloin for pork shoulder in this version of the recipe. I can hear my father’s voice screaming at me, “Oye, chico, what are you doing changing the dish?” I’m not changing the essence of the dish, I’m just modifying it so people can enjoy it in a healthier way.
PREP TIME: 25 minutes
COOKING TIME: 15–20 minutes
SERVES: 5
SERVING SIZE: 1 (4-ounce) piece pork
Mojo Marinated Pork Ingredients:
- 2 navel oranges, peeled and cut in half
- 2 lemons, peeled
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons distilled vinegar
- 2 stems fresh thyme, leaves removed from stem
- 1 (20-ounce) pork tenderloin
- Nonstick cooking spray
How To Make Mojo Pork:
1. Preheat oven to 400° F.
2. Grab your blender to make the mojo marinade. Add oranges, lemons, salt, pepper, cumin, garlic powder, vinegar, and fresh thyme leaves into the blender. Pulsate the mixture 4 times, then purée for 1 minute. Set aside 4 ounces mojo and add the rest to a resealable plastic bag.
3. Remove the silver skin from the pork tenderloin. Add pork tenderloin to the resealable plastic bag with the mojo. Marinate pork for at least 20 minutes in the fridge.
4. Remove the pork tenderloin from the bag (discarding the marinade in the bag) and pat dry with a paper towel. Preheat an ovenproof sauté pan over medium heat, spray with nonstick cooking spray, and wait 10 seconds for oil to come up to temperature. Brown both sides of pork tenderloin in the pan, then place pan in the oven for 15–20 minutes. Internal temperature of cooked pork should read 145°F on meat thermometer.
5. Remove pork from oven and let it rest for a few minutes so juices redistribute. Slice and place on a large platter. Drizzle some of the reserved mojo marinade on the pork, and serve.
Exchanges/Food Choices:
1/2 fruit, 3 lean protein
Printable Recipe Card For Cuban Mojo Pork
Cuban Mojo Marinated Pork Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 navel oranges, peeled and cut in half
- 2 lemons, peeled
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons distilled vinegar
- 2 stems fresh thyme, leaves removed from stem
- 1 (20-ounce) pork tenderloin
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Grab your blender to make the mojo marinade. Add oranges, lemons, salt, pepper, cumin, garlic powder, vinegar, and fresh thyme leaves into the blender. Pulsate the mixture 4 times, then purée for 1 minute. Set aside 4 ounces mojo and add the rest to a resealable plastic bag.
- Remove the silver skin from the pork tenderloin. Add pork tenderloin to the resealable plastic bag with the mojo. Marinate pork for at least 20 minutes in the fridge.
- Remove the pork tenderloin from the bag (discarding the marinade in the bag) and pat dry with a paper towel. Preheat an ovenproof sauté pan over medium heat, spray with nonstick cooking spray, and wait 10 seconds for oil to come up to temperature. Brown both sides of pork tenderloin in the pan, then place pan in the oven for 15–20 minutes. Internal temperature of cooked pork should read 145°F.
- Remove pork from oven and let it rest for a few minutes so juices redistribute. Drizzle some of the reserved mojo marinade on the pork, and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Cuban Mojo Marinated Pork Recipe
Serves: 5
|
Amount Per Serving: 1 (4 ounce) piece
|
||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 189.04 kcal | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 6.16 g | 9.2% | |
| Saturated Fat 1.44 g | 5% | |
| Trans Fat 0.04 g | ||
| Cholesterol 70.02 mg | 23.3% | |
| Sodium 435.49 mg | 18.1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 10.39 g | 3.3% | |
| Dietary Fiber 2.15 g | 8% | |
| Sugars 5.35 g | ||
| Protein 23.16 g | ||
| Vitamin A 1.11 % | Vitamin C 52.58 % | |
| Calcium 4.44 % | Iron 8.77 % | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Family Focus Blog
Calories 160
Calories From Fat 25
Potassium 590mg
Phosphorus 300mg
Thanks to ©2016 by the American Diabetes Association, Inc.® for allowing the reprint. Chef Ronaldo’s Sabores de Cuba is available at ShopDiabetes.org, in bookstores nationwide, or by calling 1-800-232-6733.
Conclusion
Tired of dry and tough pork? This Cuban mojo marinated pork is juicy and tender every time. The citrus and garlic marinade gives it a bright, tangy, and savory taste. Impress your family and friends with the ultimate Cuban mojo marinated pork recipe. This blog post unveils the secret to creating a mouthwatering dish that will leave everyone craving for more. Get ready to become a Cuban food culinary superstar at your next gathering!
I hope you enjoy this Cuban mojo marinated pork recipe. This tasty Cuban cuisine recipe is a great way to try something new and add flavor to your family dinner table. Have you ever tried Cuban Mojo Pork Tenderloin before? Let me know what you think!
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Ask Helen says
OMG! Mouthwatering. This is a must try. Thanks for sharing the mojo marinade recipe. 🙂 I used sour oranges and garlic cloves for that authentic Cuban flavor. This mojo pork recipe is amazing!
Foster says
This Cuban pork recipe sounds absolutely delicious! The combination of citrus juice must make the flavors so bright and bold. I love how the marinade helps create such tender meat. I bet it is even better the next day. Thanks for sharing this fantastic recipe!
Jada says
This Cuban-style pork recipe was incredible! Using bitter orange juice and fresh oregano gives it such an authentic, bold flavor. I blended the marinade in a food processor— so easy and full of garlicky goodness. Definitely bookmarking this one! And pairing it with Cuban black beans? Perfection. I also appreciated having the right internal temp to check for that perfect tenderness. Thanks for sharing!
Wade Sellers says
This Cuban Mojo Pork Tenderloin recipe looks absolutely incredible! The blend of citrus, garlic, and herbs sounds like a flavor explosion—I can almost taste the tangy, savory goodness through the screen. It’s wonderful that Chef Ronaldo’s recipe offers a healthier twist without sacrificing tradition. I love how quick and easy it is to make, perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels special.
Sonia says
This recipe was absolutely amazing! I love how fresh and flavorful the mojo marinade is with all the citrus and herbs — definitely a mouthwatering combo. Using pork tenderloin instead of pork shoulder is such a smart way to make it healthier without sacrificing the essence of the dish. Chef Ronaldo’s cookbook sounds like a treasure trove of delicious Cuban inspiration!
I can’t wait to try make this again for my next dinner gathering — it’s simple, wholesome, and sure to impress. Thanks for sharing this flavorful gem! ✨
Diligence Certifications says
Cuban Mojo Pork is a mouthwatering dish bursting with zesty, garlicky citrus flavor! The marinade, typically made with orange juice, lime juice, garlic, oregano, and cumin, infuses the pork with bold, savory notes that are perfect for roasting or grilling. It’s a must-try for anyone who loves vibrant, tropical flavors with a bit of a kick.
Mahesh R Nair says
This sounds absolutely amazing! I love the idea of combining bold Cuban flavors with a health-conscious twist—especially with a marinade that brings the whole dish to life. Can’t wait to try this mojo pork tenderloin recipe. Chef Ronaldo’s cookbook sounds like a gem!