Honey Garlic Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fall-off-the-bone pork shoulder braised in a sweet-savory honey garlic sauce with roasted carrots and potatoes, slow-cooked to perfection. This american comfort food-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs (bone-in) pork shoulder, diced carrots, diced potatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.2 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 4 American Comfort Food cuisine 410 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 2 lb bone-in pork shoulder in the slow cooker, then layer 1 cup diced carrots, 1 cup diced potatoes, and 1/2 cup chopped onion around it.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, and 1/2 cup chicken broth until combined.
  3. Step 3: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the pork and vegetables, then cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours until pork is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
  4. Step 4: Carefully remove the pork shoulder from the slow cooker, let rest for 10 minutes, then slice. Discard the bone, and serve the pork with the roasted vegetables and sauce.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey Garlic Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 495 minutes (15 min prep + 480 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Honey Garlic Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (bone-in) pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey Garlic Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Honey Garlic Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Honey Garlic Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables?

American Comfort Food slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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