Slow Cooker Pork Roast Recipe

This Pork Shoulder Roast is infused with bold garlic, onions and flavorful herbs and is slow cooked with fresh carrots and potatoes for ultimate comfort. The result is a gorgeous Slow Cooker Pork Roast that combines wholesome simplicity and mouthwatering flavors to create a hearty family meal perfect for gathering loved ones.

I love this slow cooker pork roast because its a simple dinner thats perfect for the whole family. I start with a 3-4 lb pork shoulder roast seasoned with salt, pepper, and minced garlic which gives it an awesome, hearty flavor.

As the pork cooks, a large sliced onion, chopped carrots, and baby potatoes join in, soaking up the low sodium chicken broth. The added herbs like fresh rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves make the broth rich and aromatic.

This one pot dinner is naturally gluten free and dairy free so its a healthy choice too. The long slow cooking process helps the pork become really tender while all the flavors meld together nicely.

This recipe is similar to the ones you see in typical crockpot pork roast or pot roast recipes, making it a reliable and comforting go to for a lazy Sunday evening meal.

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I really love how simple and fuss-free this recipe is – I just season up my pork roast, toss in all the veggies and herbs in the slow cooker and then just let it do its thing all day long. It’s super chill knowing dinner practically makes itself.
2. The flavors are on point for me; I mean the garlic, rosemary, thyme and even the bay leaves all mix together to create this amazing, homey aroma that fills up the whole house, reminding me of those cozy family meals.
3. I also dig that its naturally gluten free and dairy free which makes it a great go-to meal when I’m inviting over friends or family who got different food needs, so everyone can enjoy it without any worry.

Ingredients

• Pork Shoulder Roast: Pork shoulder roast delivers high protein and rich, juicy flavor when slow cooked.
• Onion: Adds natural sweetness and crunch while also providin vitamins and fiber.
• Garlic: Infuses a flavorful aroma and mild spice also known for it’s health benefits.
• Carrots: Bring natural sweetness and crunch along with extra vitamins and antioxidants.
• Baby Potatoes: Provide hearty carbohydrates and texture, making the dish satisfyin and filling.
• Rosemary & Thyme: Impart fresh, herbal notes and boost overall flavor with subtle earthiness.
• Chicken Broth: Moistens ingredients while adding mild savory taste; low sodium helps keep it healthy.
• Bay Leaves: Offer subtle aroma and help balance flavors then removed before serving.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 pork shoulder roast (about 3-4 lbs)
• 1 teaspoon salt (plus extra to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 lb baby potatoes, halved or quartered
• 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves

How to Make this

1. Pat the pork shoulder dry and then generously season it with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and the minced garlic, making sure to rub it all over the meat.

2. Place the sliced onion in the bottom of your slow cooker; this will help create a tasty base for the roast.

3. Arrange the carrots and baby potatoes evenly around the onion in the slow cooker.

4. Put the seasoned pork roast on top of the vegetables, resting it right in the middle.

5. Pour 1 cup of low sodium chicken broth over the meat and vegetables, letting the broth help blend all the flavors together.

6. Tuck in the 2 bay leaves along with the 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary and 3 sprigs of fresh thyme, covering the meat and veggies well.

7. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low for about 7 to 8 hours until the pork is tender and falls apart easily.

8. Check that the vegetables are soft and the pork is cooked through before proceeding to serve.

9. Remove the bay leaves and any large pieces of herbs before chopping or shredding the meat.

10. Plate up the pork with the roasted veggies, and season with a little extra salt if needed. Enjoy your hearty, one-pot dinner!

Equipment Needed

1. Slow cooker with a lid
2. Sharp knife
3. Cutting board
4. Measuring spoons
5. Measuring cup
6. Paper towels
7. A mixing bowl
8. Serving dish

These are the basic items that you’ll need to prep and cook the pork shoulder and vegetables.

FAQ

Slow Cooker Pork Roast Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• You can swap pork shoulder roast with pork butt since they cook similar enough in the slow cooker
• If you don’t have fresh rosemary or thyme, dried ones work pretty well too – just use about one third of the fresh amount
• Instead of baby potatoes, try using red or Yukon gold potatoes and cut them into even pieces
• If low sodium chicken broth is missing, beef broth or even a good quality veggie broth can fill in just fine
• No fresh garlic? Use about 1 teaspoon of garlic powder as a substitute

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you pat the pork dry really well before rubbing on the salt and garlic. This helps the seasoning stick better and gives the meat a nice crust while it cooks
2. Putting the onions on the bottom not only adds flavor but also helps keep the meat from sticking or burning by forming a natural barrier. Trust me, its a game changer
3. Low and slow is the way to go with this recipe. Although you might be tempted to speed it up, cook it for the full 7 to 8 hours so the pork gets super tender and all those flavors really meld together
4. When using fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme, set a reminder to take out big pieces or the bay leaves before serving so you dont end up with weird bits in every bite