Masas de Cerdo Frita (Masitas de Puerco )
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Additional Time
30 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 25 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Cuban
Masas de Cerdo Frita (Masitas de Puerco )
Description
Masas de Cerdo Frita involves cutting pork shoulder or belly into bite-sized pieces and seasoning with crushed garlic, salt, and black pepper. After resting to absorb flavors, the pork is fried in hot neutral oil in batches to avoid overcrowding, achieving a golden crust. Once browned, the pieces are covered and cooked a few more minutes until tender. The preparation uses simple seasoning to highlight the pork’s richness.
The dish pairs with mojo sauce made by combining sliced white onions, diced garlic, and sour orange juice, which adds acidity and freshness to counterbalance the fried pork's richness. If sour orange juice is unavailable, a mixture of orange, lime, and lemon juices can substitute. Keeping cooked pork warm in a low oven helps maintain crispness.
This pork dish works well as a savory main or shared plate, where the contrast of crispy fried texture and tender inside provides a satisfying bite. The citrus mojo sauce offers a bright complement suitable for dipping or drizzling over the pork before serving.
Ingredients
- 2 kg pork pork shoulder or pork belly, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 6-8 garlic cloves
- 1 white onion julienned
- neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Mojo Sauce:
- 2 onion sliced
- 250 ml orange juice see substitute below, sour
- 3 cloves garlic diced
Instructions
- Start by cutting the pork meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper, crush the garlic and mix it with the meat chunks to coat evenly. Leave the meat to rest for about 30 minutes at minimum, though you can definitely give it more time if you can (2-3 hours would be great!).
- Next, heat up a good splash of cooking oil over medium heat. Drain your pork of any excess liquid and drop into the hot oil. Fry the pork chunks without overcrowding, working in batches if necessary. Stir often to avoid the pieces sticking to one another.
- Once the pork chunks turn a nice golden color, cover the pan and cook for another 3-5 minutes until tender.
- While the pork is cooking, prepare the mojo with white onions, garlic and sour orange juice. The sour orange juice can be replaced with 2 parts orange juice, one part lime juice and one part lemon juice.
- If you're working in batches it's a good idea to keep the cooked meat in the oven at 200F/ 95C. They'll get a nice crispy surface as a bonus too!
- Finally sauté the onion until a little softened and place on top of the fried pork.
- Serve your delicious fried pork chunks hot with Moros y Cristianos (Black Beans and Rice) and the Mojo sauce.
Notes
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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