Slow Cooker Honey-Mustard Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork shoulder braised in a sweet-savory honey-mustard glaze with roasted carrots and parsnips for a comforting weeknight meal. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 375 minutes pairs pork shoulder roast, honey, Dijon mustard for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 360 min Serves 6 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Season all sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder for 3 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer to a slow cooker.
  3. Step 3: Whisk honey, Dijon mustard, and chicken broth in a bowl until smooth. Pour over the pork shoulder in the slow cooker.
  4. Step 4: Arrange carrots and parsnips around the pork. Sprinkle with minced garlic and thyme, then add 1/4 tsp salt.
  5. Step 5: Cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours, until pork is fork-tender and vegetables are tender.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Cooker Honey-Mustard Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 375 minutes (15 min prep + 360 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 Honey-Mustard 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 roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Honey-Mustard 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 Honey-Mustard 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 Honey-Mustard 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes