The Perfect Pork Roast: Mastering The Crock Pot Method

How to Cook Pork Roast in a Crock Pot

Crock Pot Pork Roast is a delicious, tender, and juicy meal that can be easily prepared in a slow cooker. It is a convenient and hassle-free way to cook pork roast, resulting in a mouth-watering dish that will impress your family and friends. With just a few simple steps and ingredients, you can create a flavourful and juicy pork roast that will leave everyone asking for more.

How to prepare the pork roast

Ingredients

To make a pork roast in a crock pot, you will need the following ingredients:

• Pork roast (pork shoulder, pork loin, pork butt, or pork tenderloin)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Vegetables of your choice (e.g. onions, potatoes, carrots, celery, apples)
• Chicken broth or stock
• Spices and seasonings of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, thyme, paprika, Italian seasoning)
• Cornstarch
• Additional ingredients for flavour (e.g. wine, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, mustard)

Method

• Prepare the pork roast by patting it dry with paper towels and setting it aside.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet or pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
• While the skillet is heating, make a dry rub by combining your chosen spices and seasonings. You can also use a store-bought seasoning mix.
• Rub the spice mixture all over the pork roast.
• Place the pork roast in the hot skillet and sear for about 2 minutes on each side. This step is optional but helps to lock in moisture and add flavour.
• Place sliced onions or other desired vegetables at the bottom of the crock pot.
• Put the seared pork roast on top of the vegetables.
• Pour chicken broth or another liquid of your choice (e.g. wine, stock, apple cider) into the hot skillet to deglaze it, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Pour the liquid from the skillet over the pork roast in the crock pot.
• Add any additional vegetables, such as potatoes and carrots, on top of or around the pork roast.
• Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the pork is tender and easily pulls apart. Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your roast.
• Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the crock pot and shred or slice the meat.
• To make gravy, whisk together cornstarch and water, then mix with the liquid from the crock pot in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer until thickened.
• Serve the pork roast with the gravy and vegetables.

Tips

• You can sear the pork roast before placing it in the crock pot to enhance flavour and lock in moisture.
• It is recommended to cook pork roast on low heat for a longer period of time to ensure it is tender and juicy.
• You can add liquid to the crock pot to create a gravy and keep the meat moist.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated or frozen and used in various dishes such as sandwiches, tacos, or burritos.

What liquid to add to the crock pot

The amount and type of liquid you add to your crock pot will depend on the type of food you are cooking. For example, if you are cooking soup, you will need to add a considerable amount of water or broth. On the other hand, if you are cooking fatty meats, they will produce their own liquid as they cook, so you won't need to add much water.

When cooking a pork roast in a crock pot, it is recommended that you add liquid to the crock pot during cooking. This will help to tenderise the meat and prevent it from drying out. You can use water or broth/stock as your liquid. Some recipes also recommend adding wine, apple cider vinegar, or a mixture of broth and vinegar.

It is also important to note that you should only add liquid to the crock pot itself and not to the slow cooker base where the heating element is.

In terms of how much liquid to add, you should aim for the stoneware to be filled a minimum of half full and a maximum of three-quarters full. However, this does not necessarily mean that the liquid alone should fill the crock pot to this level. The liquid created by the ingredients as they cook will also count towards this total volume.

If you are cooking a non-liquid-based dish, you should add just enough liquid to cover the bottom of the dish so that your ingredients don't get scorched. For a soup or liquid-based meal, add liquid according to your desired consistency.

How to make the gravy

Making the gravy is an optional step in the crock pot pork roast recipe, but it's highly recommended to level up your meal. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to make the gravy:

Step 1: Transfer about 1 1/2 cups of the liquid from the crock pot to a small saucepan. This liquid is the key to making a delicious gravy, as it contains all the flavours from the slow-cooked pork and vegetables.

Step 2: In a separate small bowl, create a smooth slurry by stirring together one tablespoon of water with 1 1/2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Cornstarch is the preferred thickening agent for this gravy, as it is flavourless and won't alter the taste of the drippings from the crock pot.

Step 3: Slowly add the slurry to the liquid in the saucepan. Whisk the mixture continuously to ensure even distribution.

Step 4: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. This step will help reduce the liquid and further intensify the flavours.

Step 5: Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Continue whisking the mixture for about 2-3 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency.

Step 6: Remove the saucepan from the heat and season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste. This step is crucial for enhancing the flavours and balancing the dish.

Step 7: Serve the gravy alongside the pork and vegetables. Drizzle it over the tender pork and vegetables for a mouthwatering experience, or serve it on the side as a delicious dipping sauce.

The gravy adds a whole new dimension of flavour to the crock pot pork roast, and it's an excellent way to utilize the cooking liquid. It's simple to make, yet it can elevate your meal to the next level.

What to serve with the pork roast

There are many side dishes that can accompany a pork roast. Here are some ideas:

• Roasted vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, or broccoli
• Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes
• Green beans
• Cranberry sauce
• Baked beans
• Applesauce
• Stuffing
• Salad, such as a kale salad or a cabbage and apple slaw
• Rice pilaf
• Glazed carrots
• Cornbread
• Grilled peaches
• Rolls
• Gravy

How to store leftovers

Leftovers from your crock pot pork roast can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the leftovers for up to 3 months.

When storing leftovers, it is important to let the food cool to room temperature first. If you are storing the gravy, keep it separate from the pork and vegetables.

Leftover pork roast can be used in many different ways, such as in sandwiches, wraps, tacos, or even on pizza. It can also be added to dishes like fried rice, stroganoff, or casseroles.

Frequently asked questions