Slow Cooker Honey-Soy Glazed Pork Shoulder
Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked in a sweet and savory honey-soy glaze that melts in your mouth, perfect for easy family dinners. This asian-inspired pork ready in about 490 minutes pairs pounds pork shoulder, boneless, soy sauce, honey 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 pounds pork shoulder, boneless
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 5 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger root
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup honey, 5 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp black pepper to make the glaze.
- Step 2: Place 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder in a slow cooker. Pour the honey-soy glaze evenly over the pork, turning to coat the meat.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until pork is very tender and easily shredded with a fork. Remove pork and shred with two forks, then return to slow cooker and stir to coat with sauce before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Honey-Soy Glazed Pork Shoulder take to make?
Total time is about 490 minutes (10 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 Honey-Soy Glazed Pork Shoulder?
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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Honey-Soy Glazed Pork Shoulder?
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-Soy Glazed Pork Shoulder 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-Soy Glazed Pork Shoulder?
Asian 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.
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