Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Rosemary Root Vegetables

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

A comforting, fall-apart tender pork shoulder paired with earthy root vegetables slow-cooked in herbed broth. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 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.

★ 4.2 (12 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the 3 lbs pork shoulder dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme; mix until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Rub the herb mixture evenly over the entire surface of the pork shoulder, then place the pork in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
  4. Step 4: Arrange 4 medium peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks carrots, 4 medium peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks potatoes, and 2 medium onions cut into wedges around the pork.
  5. Step 5: Pour 1 cup chicken broth over the vegetables and pork, then cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 8 hours until the pork is tender enough to pull apart with a fork.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Rosemary 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 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 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 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 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.

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