Which Mexican state is famous for its cochinita pibil?

Yucatán is the Mexican state famous for its cochinita pibil. This traditional Yucatec Maya dish consists of pork marinated with bitter-orange juice and achiote, then slow-roasted until tender.

The name reflects its traditional preparation: cochinita means “baby pig,” while pibil refers to cooking in a pib, an underground earth oven. The pork is wrapped in banana leaves and cooked over or beside heated coals, allowing the meat to become exceptionally soft while absorbing the achiote marinade’s earthy flavor and vivid orange-red color.

Modern recipes often use pork shoulder instead of a whole suckling pig, and many home cooks use a covered oven rather than an underground pit. It is commonly served with corn tortillas, pickled red onions, black beans, and habanero. Jalisco, Puebla, and Oaxaca all have famous regional foods, but they are not the state most specifically identified with cochinita pibil.