Slow-Cooked Herb-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables
Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked with aromatic herbs and seasonal root vegetables for a comforting, one-pot meal. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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
- 3 lb pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp, chopped rosemary
- 1 tbsp, chopped thyme
- 1 tsp, dried oregano
- 1 large, sliced onion
- 3, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks carrots
- 3, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks parsnips
- 2 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks potatoes
- 1 cup, low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels, then season all sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering; sear the pork shoulder for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer to a slow cooker.
- Step 2: Add 3 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tbsp rosemary (chopped), 1 tbsp thyme (chopped), 1 tsp oregano, 1 large onion (sliced), 3 carrots (peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks), 3 parsnips (peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks), and 2 potatoes (peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks) to the slow cooker around the pork shoulder.
- Step 3: Pour 1 cup chicken broth over the vegetables and pork, then secure the slow cooker lid. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours until the pork is fork-tender.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Herb-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 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 Slow-Cooked Herb-Roasted 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-Roasted 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-Roasted 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-Roasted 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
- ★★★★★
Perfect slow cooker recipe for a weeknight dinner.
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