Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Rosemary and Root Vegetables
A comforting, hands-off dinner featuring fall-apart pork shoulder and seasonal root vegetables simmered in a fragrant herb-infused broth. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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 lbs pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 sprigs rosemary
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 large onion
- 2 carrots
- 2 parsnips
- 2 potatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Step 1: Season the pork shoulder with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork shoulder and sear on all sides until browned, about 5 minutes per side.
- Step 2: Transfer the seared pork to a slow cooker. Add 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 large chopped onion, 2 carrots chopped into 1-inch pieces, 2 parsnips chopped into 1-inch pieces, 2 potatoes chopped into 1-inch pieces, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, and 1 tsp dried thyme to the slow cooker.
- Step 3: Pour 4 cups chicken broth over the ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until the pork is tender and vegetables are soft.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Rosemary and 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 Pork Shoulder with Rosemary and 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 Rosemary and 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 Rosemary and 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 Rosemary and 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
- ★★★★★
Loved it! The recipe was easy and the pork came out fall-apart tender. Served with mashed potatoes and it was a hit.
- ★★★★★
A family favorite now. The slow-cooked pork was so tender and the root vegetables absorbed all the juices. Perfect for a cold winter night.
- ★★★★★
This was the best pork shoulder I've ever made! The rosemary really enhanced the flavor, and my family devoured it.
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