Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Roasted Root Vegetables

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

Fall-apart pork shoulder slow-cooked with rosemary and thyme, served alongside caramelized roasted carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes. This american-inspired whole30 ready in about 200 minutes pairs pork shoulder, avocado oil, garlic 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 Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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 (13 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 6 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Rub 2 lb pork shoulder with 2 tbsp avocado oil, then season with 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Place seasoned pork in a roasting pan and arrange 2 medium peeled and diced carrots, 2 medium peeled and diced parsnips, and 1 medium peeled and diced sweet potato around it. Drizzle vegetables with 1 tbsp avocado oil.
  3. Step 3: Cover pan tightly with foil and roast for 3 hours, or until pork is tender and shreds easily with a fork.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork, let rest 10 minutes, then shred. Return to pan with vegetables and toss to coat. Serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Roasted Root Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 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 Roasted 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 Pork Shoulder with Roasted 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 Pork Shoulder with Roasted 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 Pork Shoulder with Roasted Root Vegetables?

American whole30 like this pair well with a compliant starch (roasted sweet potato, cauliflower rice, or plantains), a crisp salad dressed with olive oil and lemon, and sliced fruit. Skip grains, legumes, dairy and added sugar — none of them are Whole30-compliant. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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