{"id":"lechon_asado_f37fc59943","slug":"lechon-asado-roast-suckling-pig","title":"Lechón Asado (Roast Suckling Pig)","description":"A traditional Latin American celebratory centerpiece featuring a whole suckling pig marinated in a vibrant citrus mojo and roasted until the skin is shatteringly crisp and the meat is melt-in-your-mouth tender.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":60,"cookMinutes":300,"totalMinutes":360,"activeMinutes":60},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 whole suckling pig (15-20 lbs)","name":"Suckling Pig","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":18,"usUnit":"lb","form":"whole","notes":"Cleaned and prepared for roasting","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"3 cups sour orange juice (naranja agria)","name":"Sour Orange Juice","quantity":710,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"3","usUnit":"cup","form":"juice","notes":"Or 2 parts orange to 1 part lime/lemon juice","group":"Mojo Marinade","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"20 garlic cloves, mashed","name":"Garlic","quantity":20,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":20,"usUnit":"clove","form":"mashed","notes":"Freshly peeled","group":"Mojo Marinade","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"4 tablespoons salt","name":"Salt","quantity":60,"unit":"g","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"granulated","notes":"Kosher salt preferred","group":"Mojo Marinade","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 tablespoons dried oregano","name":"Oregano","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"dried","notes":"Ideally Mexican or Dominican","group":"Mojo Marinade","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 tablespoon ground cumin","name":"Cumin","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Mojo Marinade","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tablespoon black pepper","name":"Black Pepper","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Mojo Marinade","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1/2 cup olive oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":120,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"Or lard for more flavor","group":"Mojo Marinade","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large bowl or blender, combine the sour orange juice, mashed garlic, salt, oregano, cumin, black pepper, and olive oil. Blend or whisk until thoroughly combined to create the mojo marinade.","group":"Preparation","title":"Combine the sour orange juice, mashed garlic, salt, oregano, cumin","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Rinse the pig and pat it completely dry. Use a knife to make small, deep incisions all over the meat side (inside) and a few small pricks in the skin side. Rub the mojo marinade all over the pig, ensuring it gets into the incisions. Cover and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.","group":"Marinating","title":"Rinse the pig and pat it completely dry","timerMinutes":1440,"sourceTitle":"Marinating"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Place the pig on a large roasting pan, skin side up. Cover the ears and tail with foil to prevent burning.","group":"Roasting","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Roasting"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Roast the pig for about 4 to 5 hours, basting occasionally with the pan juices, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).","group":"Roasting","title":"Roast the pig for about 4","timerMinutes":300,"sourceTitle":"Roasting"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Increase the oven temperature to 450°F (232°C). Remove the foil from the ears and tail. Roast for an additional 20-30 minutes, watching closely, until the skin is golden brown and very crispy.","group":"Crisping","title":"Increase the oven temperature","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Crisping"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Remove from the oven and let the lechón rest for at least 30 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.","group":"Resting","title":"Remove from the oven and let the lechón rest","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Resting"}],"notes":"Ensure the pig is at room temperature before roasting for even cooking. Scoring the skin lightly helps the fat render and creates better crackling (chicharrón).","cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Cuban","Puerto Rican"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["roast"],"equipment":["Large roasting pan","Meat thermometer","Aluminum foil","Blender or whisk"],"diet":["gluten_free","dairy_free","low_carb","paleo"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"hard","yield":{"amount":12,"unit":"servings","note":"Based on a 15-20 lb pig"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The mojo marinade can be made 3 days in advance. The pig must be marinated at least 12 hours before roasting."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftover meat and skin separately to maintain crispiness. Reheat skin in the oven or air fryer.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat meat in the oven at 300°F (149°C) with a splash of water or orange juice to prevent drying."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Flechon_asado_f37fc59943%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=c4408b6e-6926-4c93-96f0-2a186ade582e","imageAlt":"Lechón Asado (Roast Suckling Pig) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["pork","holiday-recipe","crispy-skin","low-and-slow","celebration","mojo"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Lechón Asado (Roast Suckling Pig)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T23:43:33.344Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T23:43:33.344Z","related":[{"id":"acai_na_tigela_138fbec4aa","slug":"acai-na-tigela","title":"Açaí na Tigela","description":"A refreshing and energizing Brazilian breakfast staple made from frozen açaí palm fruit, blended into a thick smoothie-like consistency and topped with granola and fresh fruit.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Brazilian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","dairy_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Facai_na_tigela_138fbec4aa%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=bcea20c0-f124-4011-87e9-4fdfe51cca58","imageAlt":"Açaí na Tigela — recipe cover","tags":["acai","smoothie bowl","healthy","brazilian","fruit","superfood"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4},{"id":"baleada_9f93ff550d","slug":"baleada","title":"Baleada","description":"A beloved Honduran classic featuring thick, fluffy flour tortillas filled with creamy refried beans, salty cheese, and rich crema. This traditional breakfast is hearty, comforting, and quintessentially Latin American.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Honduran"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbaleada_9f93ff550d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0ab37045-c4de-4989-88b4-76f3f3ea5d43","imageAlt":"Baleada — recipe cover","tags":["baleada","honduran","beans","breakfast","tortilla","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6},{"id":"cachapa_2f3970e968","slug":"cachapa-venezuelan-sweet-corn-pancakes","title":"Cachapa (Venezuelan Sweet Corn Pancakes)","description":"Authentic Venezuelan corn pancakes made with fresh corn, sugar, and salt, traditionally served folded over a thick slice of salty white cheese.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Venezuelan"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcachapa_2f3970e968%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7eab7bcc-59ea-4cd6-baf5-4fba1fe65fdf","imageAlt":"Cachapa (Venezuelan Sweet Corn Pancakes) — recipe cover","tags":["corn","cheese","sweet-savory","traditional","pancakes"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":6}]}