Slow Cooker Herb-Rubbed Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables
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 ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, large, quartered yellow onion, minced garlic cloves 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 5: Remove pork and vegetables, shred the pork with two forks, and mix with the cooked vegetables before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Herb-Rubbed Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables 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 Herb-Rubbed Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables?
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 from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Herb-Rubbed Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables?
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 Herb-Rubbed Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables 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 Herb-Rubbed Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables?
American 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.
