Lechón Asado
Roasted Pork Shoulder
Yes, keto as served. About 2g net carbs per serving, lower than 9 in 10 Puerto Rican dishes.
What it is
A cornerstone of Puerto Rican cuisine, this dish features a whole pig or a large cut of pork shoulder slow-roasted until the meat is incredibly tender and the skin is shatteringly crispy (cuero). It's seasoned simply with garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
Key ingredients
Pork shoulder (often bone-in, skin-on), fresh garlic, dried oregano, sea salt, black pepper, olive oil (for rubbing and cooking).
Optional tweaks
Confirm no sugary glazes are used (traditional lechón typically does not). Focus solely on the meat and crispy skin, avoiding any accompanying sauces or high-carb side dishes.
Say this to the waiter (Spanish)
El Lechón Asado, ¿lleva algún glaseado con azúcar? Me gustaría solo la carne y la piel, sin salsas ni acompañamientos.
Lechón Asado: Is this made without sugary glazes? I'd like just the meat and skin, no sauces or other accompaniments.
Watch out for
Sweet glazes (though rare for authentic lechón), and especially the starchy side dishes it's traditionally served with (rice, gandules, yuca, batata, plantains).
Macros are estimates for a typical serving and vary by restaurant. Confirm ingredients with staff, especially if you have allergies. Our ingredient lists are generated automatically and describe how a dish is typically made.
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