Slow Cooker Herb-Rubbed Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-17 · Updated 2026-05-17

Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked with a blend of herbs and paired with hearty root vegetables for a comforting meal. This American-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 500 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, carrots, russet 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.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs pork shoulder
• 4 medium, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks carrots
• 3 medium, peeled and quartered russet potatoes
• 1 large, quartered yellow onion
• 5, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup 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 dry 3 lbs pork shoulder and rub all over with 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides until deeply browned, about 3-4 minutes per side, then transfer to the slow cooker.
3. Step 3: Add 4 peeled and chunked carrots, 3 peeled and quartered russet potatoes, 1 large quartered yellow onion, and 5 minced garlic cloves around the pork in the slow cooker.
4. Step 4: Pour 1 cup chicken broth over the pork and vegetables, cover, and cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is tender and pulls apart easily.
5. Step 5: Remove pork and vegetables, shred the pork with two forks, and mix with the cooked vegetables before serving.