Making Pork Roast in the Crockpot, using pork shoulder or pork butt is one of our favorite fall meals to make. Let it cook while you’re away at work and come home to a perfectly tender roast.
» You might also like these 15 Fantastic Fall Crock Pot Recipes.
Why You’ll Love It
- Perfect for busy days: This recipe is perfect for busy days or when you simply want to set it and forget it. It requires minimal hands-on time, making it a great choice for weeknight dinners.
- 2-in-1: The flavorful broth mixture transforms into a tasty gravy right in your slow cooker, which complements the pork beautifully.
- Makes for great leftovers: If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, they make for amazing sandwiches, stir fry, or simply reheated for a quick meal the next day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Boneless Pork Shoulder or Butt – This cut of meat is usually available at grocery stores or local butcher shops.
- Seasonings: Brown Sugar, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Thyme, Salt & Ground Black Pepper, Ground Mustard Powder
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth – You can use store-bought or homemade broth. Low-sodium options are the best choice so you don’t overwhelm with salt.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Helps break down the meat.
- Dijon Mustard – Adds a nice acidity to the gravy.
- Cornstarch – Used for thickening the gravy.
Equipment Needed
- Crockpot
- Bowl or measuring cup – Anything will work. This is to collect the cooking liquid in. It is important to skim off the fat before you continue on to make the gravy.
- Whisk – A whisk works really well for taking the lumps out of gravy and making it really smooth.
- Small pot – A small sauce pot for making the gravy.
Tips for Making Pork Roast in the Crockpot
- Cooking the pork on the low setting will result in a more tender and succulent roast. It’s worth the extra time for the best results.
- Accompany your pork roast with sides like mashed potatoes or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- To ensure the pork is cooked to perfection, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 145°F for safe consumption.
- After the pork is done cooking, allow it to rest for about 10-15 minutes before slicing. This will help the juices redistribute within the meat, ensuring it stays moist and tender.
- You can sear the roast before you add it to the crockpot if you want. We find it an unnecessary step.
- You can add potatoes, carrots, and onions into the crockpot underneath the roast if you want to.
How to Make Pork Roast in the Crockpot
Step 1: Season the Roast
Mix the brown sugar, garlic and onion powder, thyme, salt and pepper in a bowl. Coat the outside of the roast with the seasoning.
Step 2: Cook the Roast
Place the roast in the crockpot. Mix the apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard and broth together and pour it over the roast. Place the lid on the crockpot and cook for 4-5 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low.
Step 3: Make the Gravy
Once the pork is cooked completely, tender and falling apart, transfer the cooking liquid to a pot. Skim off any excess grease. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
Mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of the cooking liquid. Pour it into the pot and whisk continuously until the gravy has thickened.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve the roast with the gravy and any sides of your choice.
How to Store & Reheat
How to Store
Fridge: Allow the cooked pork roast to cool at room temperature for no more than two hours before placing it in the refrigerator. Then store in an airtight container, leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer: Leftovers can typically be safely stored in the freezer for 3-4 months in an airtight container.
How to Reheat
To reheat in the microwave, place a damp paper towel over the pork to help retain moisture, then microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
On the stovetop, warm the pork gently in a pan with a bit of broth or water to prevent it from drying out.
What to Serve With
Side Dishes to Try
Salads
Crunchy Broccoli Salad
Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad
Bacon, Jalapeno & Corn Salad
Classic Wedge Salad
Pear & Gorgonzola Salad
Veggies
Roasted Asparagus with Cranberries & Feta
Shaved Asparagus with Pesto
Roasted Green Beans & Mushrooms
Crispy Roast Potatoes
Questions About the Recipe
Do I need to add liquid to the crockpot when cooking.
While it’s not an absolute requirement, it’s highly recommended. Adding liquid to your roast will help keep it moist and juicy, plus it will provide a delicious foundation for your gravy.
Do you have to flip a pork roast in a crockpot?
No. No need to turn or flip the roast while it is cooking.
Do you have to brown the pork before putting it in the Crockpot?
While many recipes may recommend it, it’s not necessary. Browning the pork is simply an extra step, and you can skip it if you prefer a more straightforward cooking process.
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Pork Roast in the Crockpot
Ingredients
- 3-4 pound (1 kg) boneless pork shoulder or butt
- 2 tablespoons (24 g) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon (3 g) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) onion powder
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) thyme
- 1 teaspoon (6 g) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) ground mustard powder
- 1 cup (237 ml) broth chicken or vegetable
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons (16 g) cornstarch
Instructions
- Mix the brown sugar, garlic and onion powder, thyme, salt and pepper in a bowl. Coat the outside of the roast with the seasoning.
- Place the roast in the crockpot. Mix the apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard and broth together and pour it over the roast. Place the lid on the crockpot and cook for 4-5 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low.
To make the gravy:
- Once the pork is cooked completely, tender and falling apart, transfer the cooking liquid to a pot. Skim off any excess grease. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of the cooking liquid. Pour it into the pot and whisk continuously until the gravy has thickened.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the roast with the gravy and any sides of your choice.
Equipment Needed
- Crockpot
Notes
- You can sear the roast before you add it to the crockpot if you want. We find it an unnecessary step.
- You can add potatoes, carrots, and onions into the crockpot underneath the roast if you want to.
- Cooking the pork on the low setting will result in a more tender and succulent roast. It’s worth the extra time for the best results.
-
- To ensure the pork is cooked to perfection, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 145°F for safe consumption.
- After the pork is done cooking, allow it to rest for about 10-15 minutes before slicing. This will help the juices redistribute within the meat, ensuring it stays moist and tender.
Where does the ground mustard go?