A traditional Yucatecan dish — Poc Chuc is the Mayan barbecue of the peninsula: thin slices of pork marinated in sour orange and grilled over wood coals until charred at the edges. The name means ‘roasted over coals’ in Mayan, and that smoky, citrus tang is the whole point. It arrives at the table with vinegary pickled red onions and a searing habanero salsa.
Poc Chuc
A traditional Yucatecan dish — Poc Chuc is the Mayan barbecue of the peninsula: thin slices of pork marinated in sour orange and grilled over wood coals until charred at the edges.

Step by stepInstructions
- Combine the pork with the sour orange juice, garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl; marinate for 1 to 2 hours, no longer.
- Meanwhile, toss the sliced onions with the extra sour orange juice, oregano, habanero and a pinch of salt; set aside to pickle.
- Heat a grill or a very hot cast-iron skillet, and grill the pork slices for 2 to 3 minutes per side, basting with the marinade, until charred at the edges and just cooked through.
- Rest the meat for a few minutes, then slice it across the grain.
- Serve the poc chuc with the pickled onions, warm tortillas and habanero salsa.
💡 Chef tips & storage
Citrus 'cooks' meat, so keep the marinade short. For the classic smoky flavor, grill over real wood coals; a screaming-hot cast-iron pan is the best indoor stand-in.

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