Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Rosemary

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender, fall-apart pork shoulder slow-cooked with garlic and rosemary for a flavorful keto-friendly main dish. This american-inspired pork (keto, low carb) ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, fresh rosemary sprigs, smashed garlic cloves 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rub 3 lbs pork shoulder evenly with 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp olive oil.
  2. Step 2: Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker, tuck 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary and 6 smashed garlic cloves around the meat.
  3. Step 3: Pour 1 cup chicken broth into the slow cooker to keep the meat moist.
  4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the pork is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
  5. Step 5: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks, discarding rosemary stems and garlic skins.
  6. Step 6: Serve warm with pan juices spooned over the shredded pork.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Rosemary 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 Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Rosemary?

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 Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Rosemary?

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 Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Rosemary 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.

Is Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Rosemary keto?

Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low carb, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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