Slow-Cooker Caribbean Jerk Pork Shoulder

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy pork shoulder slow-cooked in a bold Caribbean jerk marinade, infused with aromatic spices and served shredded for tacos or sandwiches. This caribbean-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder (boneless), jerk seasoning, orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Caribbean cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp jerk seasoning, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 minced scotch bonnet pepper (seeded), 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1/4 cup chopped green onions, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves to create the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Place 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder in the slow cooker and pour the marinade over it, turning the pork to coat all sides thoroughly.
  3. Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the pork is tender and shreds easily with a fork.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded pork to the juices in the slow cooker and stir to combine before serving with rice, tortillas, or your favorite sides.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooker Caribbean Jerk Pork Shoulder 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-Cooker Caribbean Jerk Pork Shoulder?

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 (boneless) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooker Caribbean Jerk Pork Shoulder?

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-Cooker Caribbean Jerk Pork Shoulder 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-Cooker Caribbean Jerk Pork Shoulder?

Caribbean 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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