Slow Cooker Caribbean-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Sweet Plantains
Tender pork shoulder infused with warm Caribbean spices slow cooked to perfection, served alongside caramelized sweet plantains. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 495 minutes pairs pounds pork shoulder, tablespoons 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 4: Once pork is done, shred it with two forks and serve alongside the caramelized plantains warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Caribbean-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Sweet Plantains take to make?
Total time is about 495 minutes (15 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-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Sweet Plantains?
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 pounds pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Caribbean-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Sweet Plantains?
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-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Sweet Plantains 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-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Sweet Plantains?
Caribbean pork 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.
