What to Serve with Cuban Mojo Pork? 10 BEST Side Dishes

You're missing a lot if you haven't tasted or served Cuban mojo pork yet.

So, the next time you host a dinner or a party, you must make it and see how good it tastes.

For the uninitiated, Cuban mojo pork is a Cuban dish made of pork shoulder and marinated in a sauce called mojo sauce.

The marinade contains pork lard or olive oil, cilantro, garlic, oregano, sour orange juice, lime juice, salt, pepper, and cumin.

Mojo pork is delicious and versatile, and it's compatible with many dishes.

Hence, when considering what to serve with Cuban mojo pork, you have many options, like fried plantains, creamy coleslaw, cilantro lime rice, and Spanish vegetable stew.

10 Flavorful Sides for Cuban Mojo Pork

The following are some items to serve with Cuban mojo pork - and chili party side ideas for gatherings offer similarly crowd-pleasing choices.

1 - Cilantro Lime Rice

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We'll begin the list with cilantro lime rice.

It's one of the most popular dishes in Latin American cuisine, and it's also pleasant.

Rice makes a great pairing with pork, so the two dishes will be a smash hit.

Cilantro lime rice is a fancy name, but the dish itself is simple.

You don't even need advanced equipment to cook the rice.

A skillet and stove are enough to make this delicious dish.

However, you need the right ingredients, or you won't get the flavor you want.

Chicken broth, lime juice, and fresh cilantro are the items that add flavor - see cilantro lime chicken side ideas for more cilantro-forward pairings.

You can make the dish with any long-grain rice or other variety.

2 - Spanish Vegetable Stew

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Pork also complements stews, and we like variety in a menu.

So let's add a yummy and hearty stew.

It's called pisto, a Spanish dish originally from the Region of Murcia, Castilla La Mancha and Extremadura.

Spanish vegetable stew typically contains tomatoes and onions with green and red bell peppers, eggplant or zucchini, olive oil, and seasoning.

It's usually served as a side dish or a starter - similar Spanish tortilla side pairings complement tapas-style spreads.

Some variants also have sugar so if you want a little sweetness, add a pinch.

You'll have a perfectly balanced dish with flavors that dance in your mouth.

3 - Pico De Gallo

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They make a lovely pairing, and you also get a fresh element - check pico de gallo side pairings for more bright accompaniments.

Pico de gallo is a salsa with only raw ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cilantro, garlic, and lime juice.

Salt, pepper, cumin, and garlic powder are the items for seasoning.

While any tomato can work for the dish, the first choice is Roma or plum.

Roma tomatoes are naturally sweet and juicy, making the perfect variety for pico de gallo.

They're bigger than grape or cherry tomatoes and have elongated shapes rather than round.

4 - Fried Plantains

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This dish must be the least fussy item on the list because you only need two ingredients.

But they're flavorful and complement Cuban mojo pork - similar chicken fried rice side suggestions balance starch and sweetness.

Fried plantains are also a staple in many Caribbean and Latin American cuisines.

Hence, it won't be an entire list without adding the dish.

But overripe plantains can get too mushy when cooked.

So it's necessary to choose the right ones when shopping for the vegetable.

You can choose firm plantains, and they shouldn't look shriveled.

Remember that the veggies go from green to yellow to black as they ripen, so reject darker shades.

5 - Black Bean Soup

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Cuban mojo pork clicks with different dishes, so we have added a soup, and we believe everyone will love it.

Serve black bean soup with your pork dish, and watch your guests have a blast.

This soup can be vegetarian, or you can also add meat if you want.

But you have a heavy pork dish as the main dish, so it will be better to go with a vegetarian version.

It will be light and therefore tone down the richness of the Cuban mojo pork.

Some variants use dried black beans, but canned beans are more convenient when you don't have much time - find quick black beans side suggestions for speedy bowls.

If you like heat in your food, add some red pepper flakes but go easy on them.

6 - Creamy Coleslaw

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Coleslaw and mashed potatoes are the most common side dishes that go with almost everything - consider creamy polenta side ideas for a different creamy texture.

We chose coleslaw because Cuban mojo pork is rich, and the salad is light, making a perfect pair.

Coleslaw is also simple, as you can get all the ingredients quickly.

You can also find prepared coleslaw mix from the store, which makes your job even simpler.

You can add mayo and vinaigrette dressing to obtain sour and creamy flavors.

If you wish to make the slaw from scratch, reject soft and spongy because the signs can indicate decay.

You should also choose bright green or deep red-maroon, or purple shades.

7 - Green Salad

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Besides coleslaw, you can add a green salad to the list, as it complements Cuban mojo pork nicely.

Green salad is versatile, and you have plenty of room to work with because you can add different greens - pair with fried green tomato side options for texture contrast.

Romaine lettuce, arugula spinach, napa cabbage, kale, and watercress are all suitable for salad.

You can make the dish with a single species or mix different varieties of leaves if you have any.

A suitable salad dressing will make the salad awesome with a slightly tangy taste.

But leafy greens can spoil quickly.

Hence, you have to buy the freshest leaves.

For example, avoid yellow or wilting leaves when buying arugula.

You should also use the veggie leaves as quickly as you can once you bring them home.

8 - BBQ Baked Beans

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BBQ baked beans will make the perfect pairing if you want a comfort dish to pair with Cuban mojo pork.

You'll be full, satisfied, and delighted all at once when you eat the two dishes.

BBQ baked beans are a bean dish with BBQ sauce and usually contain meat like pork shoulder.

However, you have a main dish with pork shoulder, so you can add a few bacon slices instead.

You won't feel overloaded that way.

You can make the dish with dried pinto, red, white, or kidney beans depending on what is available.

Some variants also use canned beans, but it's best to use dried beans as you can control the taste and texture.

9 - Chips and Guacamole

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You have to serve this pairing or your event will not have a complete menu.

Chips and guacamole are delicious and light and complement Cuban mojo pork.

You can also whip up the combo dish fast.

For the chips, you'll need corn tortillas cut in triangle shapes and fried lightly or baked in the oven.

Guacamole will need ripe avocados, salt, lime juice, onions, tomatoes, garlic, cayenne pepper, and fresh cilantro.

When shopping for avocados, the darker shades are ready to eat, but it's best to feel them with your hand.

A perfectly ripe avocado should give in to a bit of pressure but shouldn't be soft.

10 - Grilled Corn On The Cob

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It's the last dish on the list but not least in terms of flavor and popularity.

Grilled corn on the cob is pleasant, versatile, and popular and complements Cuban mojo pork.

While making grilled corn on the cob is easy, it's essential to use fresh corn.

Sometimes it can be tricky to choose the best corn, so you must check each ear without removing the husk.

The first step to knowing if an ear of corn is fresh is to feel the weight.

Dry and wilted cobs will be lighter than they look, so go for heavier ones.

When grilling, add salt, pepper, chili flakes, and butter; your corn will be juicy, sweet, charred, and slightly spicy.

Cuban slider side ideas match many elements on this list. black beans and rice side pairings work when the menu highlights classic Cuban staples.