Slow-Cooked Herb-Infused Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables
Tender pork shoulder braised with carrots, potatoes, and fresh herbs for a comforting, hands-off weeknight dinner. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 480 minutes pairs pork shoulder, carrots, potatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (cut into 1-inch cubes) pork shoulder
- 4 medium, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds carrots
- 3 large, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks potatoes
- 1 medium, chopped onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Season the pork shoulder cubes with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then toss in 1 tbsp olive oil until coated.
- Step 2: Place the seasoned pork, carrots, and potatoes in the slow cooker, then scatter the chopped onion and minced garlic over the top.
- Step 3: Pour in 1 cup chicken broth, add the rosemary and thyme sprigs, and stir gently to combine.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours until the pork is fork-tender and vegetables are cooked through.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Herb-Infused Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 480 minutes (20 min prep + 460 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 Slow-Cooked Herb-Infused 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 pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Herb-Infused 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 Slow-Cooked Herb-Infused Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Slow-Cooked Herb-Infused Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables?
American 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this dish. Served it with mashed potatoes and it was a hit.
- ★★★★★
This was the best pork shoulder I've ever made! The herbs were perfect.
- ★★★★☆
The pork was tender, but the vegetables were a bit bland. Next time I'll add more seasoning.
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