Masas de Cerdo Fritas (Crispy Fried Pork Chunks)
Chunks of pork shoulder marinated in mojo, simmered until tender, then fried until golden and crisp outside. Topped with sautéed onions and served with rice, beans and tostones or maduros.
Servings
Ingredients
Nutrition
Per serving
Steps
Marinate the pork
Mix the pork chunks with the garlic, , salt, cumin and oregano in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, or overnight, so the pork absorbs the flavors.
- 1 kg pork shoulder chunks
- 6 garlic cloves
- 125 ml
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Simmer until tender
Put the marinated pork with all its marinade and the water into a wide heavy pan (28–30 cm / 11–12 in). Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then lower the heat, cover, and cook for about 45 minutes.
- 1 kg marinated pork (from step 1)
- 250 ml water
✅ Done when: pork is tender and almost falling apart when pressed with a fork
Reduce the liquid
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Fry until crisp
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Cook the onions and serve
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Marinate the pork
Mix the pork chunks with the garlic, , salt, cumin and oregano in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, or overnight, so the pork absorbs the flavors.
- 1 kg pork shoulder chunks
- 6 garlic cloves
- 125 ml
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Simmer until tender
Put the marinated pork with all its marinade and the water into a wide heavy pan (28–30 cm / 11–12 in). Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then lower the heat, cover, and cook for about 45 minutes.
- 1 kg marinated pork (from step 1)
- 250 ml water
✅ Done when: pork is tender and almost falling apart when pressed with a fork
Reduce the liquid
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
Fry until crisp
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Cook the onions and serve
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The Story Behind the Dish
Masas de cerdo are a staple of Cuban restaurants and home cooking alike. The method, simmering pork in its marinade and then frying it in its own fat, is similar to Mexican carnitas, but the flavour comes from the Cuban mojo of garlic and sour orange.
In Cuban restaurants in Miami, masitas de puerco are one of the most ordered dishes on the menu.
⭐ Why It's Famous
Tender inside, crisp outside and full of garlic and citrus: it's the pork dish Cubans crave most.
💡 Fun Fact
The small version is lovingly called 'masitas', and Cuban restaurants often serve them as a starter with a bowl of mojo for dipping.
All over Cuba
23.11°N, -82.37°W
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