Tortas de Cochinita Pibil (Pibil Pork Rolls)
Soft rolls stuffed with achiote braised pork, bright pickled onions and a dab of habanero salsa.
Made with Habanero salsa and Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Recado rojo (achiote paste). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr 15
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £1.66 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Whisk your ready made recado rojo (see the base recipe) with the orange juice, lime juice, vinegar and water in a wide pan until smooth.
- 2
Add the pork, cover and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 50 minutes, until the pork is tender.
50 min - 3
Uncover and boil hard for 8 to 10 minutes, until the liquid is reduced to a thick glaze. Shred the pork with two forks.
10 min - 4
Toast the cut sides of the rolls in a dry pan until lightly golden.
- 5
Pile the pork into the rolls with avocado and your ready made pickled red onions (see the base recipe).
- 6
Serve with your ready made habanero salsa (see the base recipe) on the side, as it is very hot.
Tips
- This is a quick stovetop version of cochinita pibil. For banana leaf flavour, see the main roast recipe.
- Rolls with a crisp crust and soft middle hold the juices best.
- Spoon a little of the reduced juices over the pork inside the roll.
Storing and freezing
Keep the filling in the fridge for up to 3 days. Assemble the tortas fresh. Reheat the filling until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use leftover cochinita pibil?
Yes. Warm about 500 g of shredded leftover pork in its juices and fill the rolls. That makes this a 10 minute meal.
What bread should I use?
A bolillo is traditional. Crusty white rolls or small ciabatta work well in the UK.
Can I make it gluten free?
Use gluten free rolls. Everything else is gluten free, but check the label of your pickles and salsa.
More made with habanero salsa
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.