Marianne Martinez
Cooking pork shoulder in a crock pot is an easy way to make a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth meal with minimal effort. The slow cooker does all the hard work, breaking down the collagen and muscle fibres over several hours to create tender, juicy meat. The key to achieving that perfect texture is to cook the pork on a low heat setting for 8-10 hours, although some recipes suggest cooking on high for 5-7 hours. This cooking method is ideal for less expensive cuts of meat, such as pork shoulder, which has a lot of marbling and is forgiving to work with.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Pork Shoulder |
| Cut | Boneless or bone-in |
| Weight | 4-8 pounds |
| Cooking Time | 6-14 hours |
| Cooking Temperature | Low (ideal) or High |
| Cooking Method | Slow cooking |
| Cooking Appliance | Crock Pot |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic, onion, chilli powder, cumin, brown sugar |
| Spices | Thyme, rosemary, oregano, marjoram |
| Vegetables | Onion, garlic, potatoes, carrots, parsnips, celery, sweet potatoes |
| Broth | Chicken, beef, vegetable |
| Vinegar | Apple cider, white wine, balsamic |
| Sauce | BBQ, mustard, Worcestershire, soy |
| Oil | Vegetable, olive |
| Other Ingredients | Beer, root beer, ginger ale, orange juice, honey, corn starch |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of pork shoulder
Boneless or Bone-in
You can opt for either boneless or bone-in pork shoulder, depending on your preference. Bone-in cuts tend to have more flavour due to the bone, but they can be harder to find. Boneless pork shoulder is a more readily available option and is excellent for achieving tender meat.
Size and Weight
The size and weight of the pork shoulder cut will impact your cooking time. Larger cuts will require a longer cooking time, while smaller cuts will cook faster. If you're using a crockpot, ensure your pork shoulder fits comfortably inside, as you may need to cut it into smaller pieces if it's too large.
Marbling
Look for a pork shoulder cut with good marbling, which means it has a nice distribution of fat throughout the meat. This marbling contributes to the meat's tenderness and flavour. A well-marbled pork shoulder will result in juicy, tender pulled pork.
Lean Cuts
Avoid leaner cuts like pork loin when choosing a pork shoulder for your crockpot meal. Leaner cuts tend to dry out during the long cooking process, so it's better to opt for cuts with more fat content. Pork butt, for example, has similar marbling to pork shoulder and is a great alternative.
Freshness
Always choose fresh, high-quality pork shoulder from a reputable source. Look for meat with a pinkish hue and avoid cuts with excessive moisture or discolouration. Fresh pork will not only taste better but also have a better texture after cooking.
Cooking Time
Consider your desired cooking time and choose a cut that suits it. Tougher cuts with more connective tissue, like pork shoulder, benefit from slow cooking, making them ideal for crockpot meals. The low and slow cooking process breaks down the collagen, resulting in tender, juicy meat.
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Preparing the meat and crock pot
Next, you'll want to prepare your spice rub. A simple mixture of salt, black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder will lock in flavour when searing. You can also add other spices like cumin, chilli powder, brown sugar, or dried thyme. Rub the spice mixture generously over the pork shoulder.
Some recipes suggest searing the meat before placing it in the crock pot. To do this, heat some olive oil in a skillet and sear the pork on all sides until browned (around 3-4 minutes per side). If you're short on time, you can skip this step.
Now, prepare your crock pot. You can add sliced vegetables like onions, garlic, potatoes, and carrots to the bottom of the pot. You can also add liquid to the pot—this can be broth, vinegar, soy sauce, or even beer or soda—to add flavour and moisture.
Finally, place the pork shoulder in the crock pot. If you seared the meat, you can pour any leftover juices from the skillet into the crock pot as well.
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Cooking time and temperature
The ideal cooking time and temperature for pork shoulder in a crock pot depend on the texture and tenderness you want to achieve. Pork shoulder is best cooked on low heat for a long time, as this allows collagen to fully break down into gelatin without forcing out moisture too quickly. While high heat speeds up cooking, it can cause muscle fibres to contract more aggressively, squeezing out moisture and potentially making the meat tougher.
For a 5.25-pound boneless pork shoulder, cooking on low heat for about 7-8 hours is recommended. However, it's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the pork shoulder. If you're in a hurry, you can cook it on high heat for 4 hours, but this may affect the texture and tenderness of the meat.
Some recipes suggest cooking pork shoulder on low heat for 8-10 hours or on high heat for 6-8 hours. This longer cooking time ensures that the pork becomes ultra-tender and can be easily shredded with forks.
If you're looking for pulled pork, cooking the pork shoulder for an extended period on low heat is ideal. This can range from 9 to 12 hours on low heat, resulting in tender and juicy pulled pork.
Additionally, it's worth mentioning that the cooking temperature for pork shoulder is typically in the range of 325°F (163°C) in an oven or Dutch oven. However, crock pots may have different temperature settings, so adjusting the cooking time based on your specific crock pot's settings may be necessary.
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Making a sauce or gravy
Once your pork shoulder is cooked and shredded, you can make a sauce or gravy to go with it. If you've cooked your pork shoulder with vegetables and broth, you can use the leftover juices to make a gravy. Drain the liquid from the crockpot and skim the fat off. Put the liquid in a pot on the stove and add salt, pepper, and thicken it with corn starch. You can also add vinegar to taste.
If you want to make a BBQ sauce, you can mix BBQ sauce with brown sugar, honey, and vinegar. You can also add beer, root beer, Dr. Pepper, ginger ale, orange juice, or water to keep the pork from drying out. If you want to add a kick to your sauce, add some cayenne pepper.
If you're looking for a simple dry rub, you can use salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. You can also sear the pork in a pan before adding it to the crockpot to give it a caramelized crust.
Here's a more detailed recipe for a spice rub:
- Wash the pork shoulder in diluted lime juice
- Pat the pork dry with a paper towel
- Add a dry rub of equal parts chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, brown sugar, salt, and pepper
- Sear the pork in a pan, starting with the fat cap side
- Add the pork to the crockpot and pour any leftover rub on top
If you're short on time, you can skip the searing step. You can also stick to a basic spice rub of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
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Serving suggestions
Slow-cooked pork shoulder is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to get you started:
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
One popular way to serve slow-cooked pork shoulder is as pulled pork sandwiches. Shred the pork and mix it with your favourite BBQ sauce. You can then serve it on toasted buttered buns or rolls, with a side of coleslaw. For an extra crispy texture, some like to stick the sandwiches in the oven for a few minutes after assembling. You can also add a variety of toppings and sauces to taste, such as BBQ sauce, hot sauce, pickles, pickled onions, and cheese.
Tacos, Quesadillas, and Enchiladas
Slow-cooked pork shoulder is also excellent for tacos, quesadillas, and enchiladas. Simply shred the pork and serve it with tortillas, lettuce, fresh cheese, and sliced radishes. You can also add your favourite taco toppings, such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
Salad
For a lighter option, serve your slow-cooked pork shoulder over a fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette. This option is perfect for those who want to enjoy the flavours of the pork without the heaviness of a sandwich or taco.
Sides
In addition to the above suggestions, there are several sides that pair well with slow-cooked pork shoulder. These include mac and cheese (especially with cream cheese), corn on the cob, fresh fruit, apple pie à la mode, and red potato salad. For a more traditional Southern BBQ feel, you can serve your pork with a side of coleslaw and cornbread.
Freezer-Friendly
Slow-cooked pork shoulder is also a great option for meal prepping as it freezes well. Simply place the cooked pork in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze it flat for up to four months. Then, you can easily defrost it overnight in the fridge or in a sealed bag in warm water for 30 minutes if you're in a hurry.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the weight of the pork shoulder and whether you are cooking on a high or low setting. A 5.25-pound boneless pork shoulder will take around 4 hours on a high setting and 8 hours on a low setting. A larger pork shoulder of 6-8 pounds will take 12-14 hours to cook on low.
You will need pork shoulder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, olive oil, vegetables (such as onion, garlic, potatoes, and carrots), broth, vinegar, soy sauce, mustard, and herbs. You can also add beer, root beer, or orange juice for extra flavour.
It is recommended to cook pork shoulder on a low setting to achieve the best texture and flavour. Cooking on a low setting allows collagen to break down into gelatin without forcing out moisture, resulting in tender and juicy meat.
