Puerco Pibil
Puerco Pibil is a traditional Mexican slow-roasted pork dish from the Yucatán Peninsula, here adapted using beef. The meat is marinated in a vibrant paste of achiote (annatto seeds), citrus juices like sour orange, and warm spices, then wrapped in banana leaves and cooked until tender. This variation maintains the iconic earthy, tangy, and aromatic profile of the original.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This beef-based version is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate dish, with the beef providing a substantial amount of iron and B vitamins. A typical serving is moderately high in fat due to the cut of beef and marinade, and generally ranges from 400-550 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 480 kcal |
| Protein | 42 g |
| Carbs | 8 g |
| Fat | 30 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
| Iron | 4.5 mg |
| Zinc | 8 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 12 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.8 mg |
| Selenium | 38 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 320 mg |
| Potassium | 480 mg |
| Magnesium | 45 mg |
Per 1 cup (250 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, using beef is a modern adaptation that makes the dish accessible to those who don't eat pork, while the achiote marinade and banana leaf cooking method are ancient Mayan techniques. Nutritionally, the achiote seeds used in the paste are a natural source of antioxidants.
