Slow Cooker Caribbean-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Sweet Plantains

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-01 · Updated 2026-07-01

Tender pork shoulder infused with warm Caribbean spices slow cooked to perfection, served alongside caramelized sweet plantains. This Caribbean-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 495 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 pounds pork shoulder
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 2 plantains, ripe
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Rub 3 pounds pork shoulder with 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper, then sear the pork on all sides until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side.
2. Step 2: Transfer the seared pork to a slow cooker. Add 1 sliced medium onion, 1/2 cup orange juice, and 1/4 cup lime juice to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is tender and easily shredded.
3. Step 3: While the pork cooks, peel and slice 2 ripe plantains into 1/2-inch thick diagonal slices. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the plantain slices and 1 tablespoon brown sugar, sautéing for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and caramelized.
4. Step 4: Once pork is done, shred it with two forks and serve alongside the caramelized plantains warm.