Slow Cooker Soy-Ginger Pork Shoulder with Scallions
Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked in a savory soy-ginger sauce, garnished with fresh scallions for a perfect balance of rich and bright flavors. This asian-inspired pork ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, low sodium soy sauce, fresh ginger, grated for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 stalks scallions, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce, 2 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1/4 cup water, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, whisking until sugar dissolves.
- Step 2: Place 2 lbs pork shoulder into the slow cooker and pour the soy-ginger mixture over it, turning the pork to coat it evenly.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
- Step 4: Remove pork from the slow cooker and shred with two forks, then return it to the sauce and stir in 1 tsp sesame oil.
- Step 5: Garnish with 3 thinly sliced scallions before serving, adding a fresh, crisp contrast to the rich pork.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Soy-Ginger Pork Shoulder with Scallions take to make?
Total time is about 495 minutes (15 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 Soy-Ginger Pork Shoulder with Scallions?
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 Soy-Ginger Pork Shoulder with Scallions?
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 Soy-Ginger Pork Shoulder with Scallions 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 Soy-Ginger Pork Shoulder with Scallions?
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.