Easy Slow Cooker Pork Roast Recipe

Dish & Tell Team

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of slow-cooked pork filling your kitchen, and our Slow Cooker Pork Roast is tender, juicy, and practically melts in your mouth.

With a rich, savory flavor and just the right amount of seasoning, it’s the kind of comfort food that makes dinner feel special without spending all day in the kitchen.

Slow cooker pork loin sliced on a white platter with potatoes, carrots and au jus.

It’s perfect for busy weeknight meals, Sunday suppers, or feeding a hungry crowd. Our slow cooker pork roast is a one-pot meal recipe that your family will enjoy all year-round, especially on those chilly fall and winter days.

Slow cooker pork loin sliced on a white platter with potatoes, and carrots.

When you want a hearty, no-fuss dinner that feels like it cooked itself, our slow cooker roast pork is the answer. Once you try it, you’ll see why slow cooking is one of our favorite kitchen hacks for making unforgettable meals.

If you love easy slow cooker meals, make sure to try our slow cooker country style pork ribs and slow cooker chicken merlot.

Table of Contents:

View more

Ingredients

Ingredients to make the recipe.

Gather the ingredients to prepare our slow cooker pork roast recipe. Culinary professionals call this the “Mise en Place,” which means “everything in its Place.”

Setting up your ingredients not only helps speed up the cooking process but also ensures you have all the necessary ingredients on hand to make the recipe.

Can I Make Adjustments to the Recipe?

You can change the ingredients to suit your family’s personal taste preferences. For a spicy kick, add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the seasoning blend. For a sweeter flavor, add brown sugar to the seasoning mixture. 

You can swap out the baby potatoes or carrots for other root vegetables such as turnips or parsnips.

Add onions and garlic for a more robust flavor, and mushrooms and celery are also tasty additions you can add to the mixture.

Recipe Variations

Southern Style Twist: Add your favorite barbecue sauce and serve on rolls.

French-inspired: Add caramelized onions and a spoonful of Dijon mustard to the sauce.

Garlic Herb: Load up the roast with rosemary, thyme, and garlic.

Asian-Inspired: Use soy sauce, ginger, and hoisin for a different twist.

Carnitas Style: Season with cumin, oregano, and chili powder, then shred for tacos.

How to Slow Roast Pork in a Slow Cooker

Follow along with my simple step-by-step instructions to learn how to slow roast pork in a slow cooker.

Remove the pork roast from the refrigerator half an hour before cooking it to allow it to come to room temperature.

Collage showing how to begin the recipe.

Add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard powder, and celery salt to a small bowl. 

Mix the seasonings using a spoon or whisk. 

Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.

Coat the pork roast with the dry seasonings. 

Allow the roast to sit with the seasonings for at least 15 minutes to give the dry rub time to penetrate the meat. You can season the pork shoulder up to 12 hours in advance.

Collage showing the next steps in the recipe.

Set your slow cooker to the low setting and add the vegetable stock to the slow cooker. Then place the pork roast in the slow cooker with the vegetable stock. 

Add the potatoes and carrots to the bowl of the slow cooker with the roast. 

Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook for 5-6 hours. Check to see that the temperature has reached 185 degrees F. This will ensure the roast is tender.

When the internal temperature has been reached, remove the pork roast, potatoes, and carrots from the slow cooker. Tent with foil.

*If you want to shred the pork roast, cook the meat until the internal temperature reaches 205 degrees F.

Collage showing how to finish the recipe.

For a thicker au jus, we are going to make a beurre manié. Add 4 tablespoons of flour to a bowl. Take 2 tablespoons of cold butter and place them in the flour.

Press the butter into the flour, rolling it into balls to make Beurre Manie to thicken the sauce. Keep cold until needed. 

Turn the heat up to high on the slow cooker. When it’s hot, add the beurre manie to the au jus.

Whisk it into the au jus, and let it simmer for 5 minutes, giving it time to thicken. 

When the au jus is finished, remove it from the heat and crockpot and place it in a serving dish. Alternatively, you can add the pork back into the sauce and coat the pork with the au jus.

Chef Tips

For even more flavor, sear the pork roast on all sides and deglaze the pan with a splash of wine or broth, and pour it into the slow cooker.

Don’t skimp on the seasoning! Rub the pork generously with the dry rub.

Let the pork rest for 10 minutes before slicing or shredding to allow the juices time to redistribute through the meat.

Slow cooker pork loin sliced on a white platter with potatoes, carrots and au jus.

Our Slow Cooker Pork Roast recipe isn’t just easy. It is the kind of recipe that makes people gather around the table, ready to savor every bite.

Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned cook, this dish proves that a little time and good ingredients can create something truly memorable.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze portions with gravy in freezer bags for up to 3 months, defrost overnight before reheating.

Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of broth to keep it moist. For the best texture, reheat in a covered skillet with a few tablespoons of broth over medium-low heat.

Serving Suggestion

Serve with a crisp side salad with a balsamic vinaigrette.

Roasted or buttered green beans

Over rice or egg noodles

On crusty bread as a sandwich

Recipe FAQs

Can I cook this on the high setting instead of low?

You can, but low and slow (6 hours) gives you melt-in-your-mouth results. On high, aim for 3-4 hours, although it gives less time for the fat to render down in the meat.

Can I brown the pork roast before adding it to the slow cooker?

Yes, if you have the time, you can brown the pork roast before slow cooking. If your slow cooker has the saute setting, you can use that, or in a cast-iron pan. Brown all sides before adding the stock and vegetables.

More Recipes You’ll Love!

Slow cooker pork loin sliced on a white platter with potatoes, carrots and au jus.

Slow Cooker Pork Roast Recipe

Chef Ryan Littley

Our tender, flavorful Slow Cooker Pork Roast with au jus is comfort food made easy. It’s a one-pot meal your whole family will love.

]]>

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 6 hours

Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes

Course Entree, Entree with side dish, Main, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 359 kcal

Ingredients  

.5x1x2x

Pork Roast

3-4 pound pork roast2 teaspoons kosher salt1 teaspoon black pepper1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon onion powder1 teaspoon dry mustard½ teaspoon celery salt24 ounces baby potatoes1 cup baby carrots or whole carrots cut into chunks1 ½ cups vegetable stock

Au Jus

2 tablespoon Butter4 tablespoon Flourpan juices from slow cooker

Instructions 

Pork Roast

Remove the pork roast from the refrigerator half an hour before cooking it to allow it to come to room temperature.

Scrub and clean the potatoes and the carrots.

Add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard powder, and celery salt to a small bowl.

Mix them to combine the seasoning.

Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.

Coat the pork roast with the dry seasonings.

Allow the roast to sit with the seasonings for at least 15 minutes to give the dry rub time to penetrate the meat. You can season the pork shoulder up to 12 hours in advance.

Set your slow cooker to the low setting and add the vegetable stock to the slow cooker.

Place the pork roast in the slow cooker with the vegetable stock.

Add the potatoes and carrots to the slow cooker.

Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook for 5-6 hours. Check to see that the temperature has reached 185 degrees F. This will ensure the roast is tender.*If you want to shred the pork roast, cook the meat until the internal temperature reaches 205 degrees F.

When the internal temperature has been reached, remove the pork roast, potatoes, and carrots from the slow cooker. Tent with foil.

Au Jus

For a thicker au jus, we are going to make a beurre manié. Add 4 tablespoons of flour to a bowl. Take 2 tablespoons of cold butter and place them in the flour.

Press the butter into the flour, rolling it into balls to make Beurre Manie to thicken the sauce. Keep cold until needed. 

Turn the heat up to high on the slow cooker. When it’s hot, add the beurre manie to the au jus.

Whisk it into the au jus, and let it simmer for 5 minutes, giving it time to thicken. 

When the au jus is finished, remove it from the heat and crockpot and place it in a serving dish. Alternatively, you can add the pork back into the sauce and coat the pork with the au jus.

Notes

Can I Make Adjustments to the Recipe?
You can change the ingredients to suit your family’s personal taste preferences. For a spicy kick, add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the seasoning blend. For a sweeter flavor, add brown sugar to the seasoning mixture. 
You can swap out the baby potatoes or carrots for other root vegetables such as turnips or parsnips.
Add onions and garlic for a more robust flavor, and mushrooms and celery are also tasty additions you can add to the mixture.
 
Recipe Variations

Southern Style Twist: Add your favorite barbecue sauce and serve on rolls.
French-inspired: Add caramelized onions and a spoonful of Dijon mustard to the sauce.
Garlic Herb: Load up the roast with rosemary, thyme, and garlic.
Asian-Inspired: Use soy sauce, ginger, and hoisin for a different twist.
Carnitas Style: Season with cumin, oregano, and chili powder, then shred for tacos.

 
Chef Tips

For even more flavor, sear the pork roast on all sides and deglaze the pan with a splash of wine or broth, and pour it into the slow cooker.
Don’t skimp on the seasoning! Rub the pork generously with the dry rub.
Let the pork rest for 10 minutes before slicing or shredding to allow the juices time to redistribute through the meat.

 
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze portions with gravy in freezer bags for up to 3 months, defrost overnight before reheating.
Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of broth to keep it moist. For the best texture, reheat in a covered skillet with a few tablespoons of broth over medium-low heat.
 
Serving Suggestion

Serve with a crisp side salad with a balsamic vinaigrette.
Roasted or buttered green beans
Over rice or egg noodles
On crusty bread as a sandwich

 
Can I cook this on high instead of low?
You can, but low and slow (6 hours) gives you melt-in-your-mouth results. On high, aim for 3-4 hours, although it gives less time for the fat to render down in the meat.
Can I brown the pork roast before adding it to the slow cooker?
Yes, if you have the time, you can brown the pork roast before slow cooking. If your slow cooker has the saute setting, you can use that, or in a cast-iron pan. Brown all sides before adding the stock and vegetables.

QR Code

Nutrition

Calories: 359kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 30gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 103mgSodium: 1334mgPotassium: 1023mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 3196IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 3mg

Share This Article
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *