Slow Cooker Herb-Crusted Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-05 · Updated 2026-04-05

Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked with a savory herb crust, surrounded by caramelized carrots, parsnips, and potatoes for a comforting Whole30 dinner. This American-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 500 minutes, pairs bone-in pork shoulder, avocado oil, dried thyme 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 lbs bone-in pork shoulder
• 2 tbsp avocado oil
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks carrots
• 2 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks parsnips
• 2 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks potatoes
• 1 large, quartered onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat the 3 lbs bone-in pork shoulder dry with paper towels, then rub 2 tbsp avocado oil evenly over the surface. Sprinkle with 2 tsp dried thyme, 2 tsp dried rosemary, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp sea salt, pressing to adhere.
2. Step 2: Place the seasoned pork shoulder in the slow cooker, then arrange 2 medium carrots (peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks), 2 medium parsnips (peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks), 2 medium potatoes (peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks), and 1 large onion (quartered) around it.
3. Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth to the slow cooker, swirling to combine and ensure broth surrounds vegetables without submerging pork.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until pork is fork-tender and vegetables are tender when pierced.