Ella Walter
Picnic roast is a lean, protein-rich, and flavorful cut of meat that can be cooked in a slow cooker, instant pot, oven, or smoker. Slow cooking is an ideal method for preparing picnic roast as it helps to tenderize the meat and enhance its flavor. This versatile dish can be served in a variety of ways, such as pulled pork sliders, sandwiches, tacos, or burritos. With just a few simple ingredients and a slow cooker, you can create a delicious and nutritious meal with minimal effort, making it a convenient option for busy days or family gatherings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prep time | 20 minutes |
| Cook time | 8-10 hours |
| Ingredients | 5 |
| Meat | Pork shoulder roast (with or without bone) |
| Sides | Potatoes, carrots, celery |
| Sauce | Gravy, Worcestershire sauce, teriyaki sauce |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, paprika, brown sugar |
| Spices | Red pepper flakes, Sriracha |
| Calories | 289kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 2g |
| Protein | 37g |
| Fat | 14g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Sodium | 482mg |
| Potassium | 703mg |
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What You'll Learn
Prep and cook time
The prep time for a picnic roast in a crock pot is minimal, taking just 20 minutes. This involves seasoning the pork roast with salt and pepper, and a rub of brown sugar, paprika, and garlic slivers. The garlic is inserted into slits cut into the meat. The onions are sliced and placed in the bottom of the pot, with the seasoned meat placed on top. Broth or sauce is then poured around the roast—not over the top, to avoid washing off the seasoning.
The cooking time varies depending on the temperature setting. On a low setting, the meat should be cooked for 8-10 hours, or until the meat can be easily pulled apart with a fork or two forks. It can be cooked on high for 6-7 hours, or until the meat is tender. It is a good idea to flip the meat halfway through the cooking time, but this is not necessary.
After cooking, the meat should be removed and any large pieces of fat can be cut away. It can then be shredded with two forks. The leftover juices can be spooned over the meat before serving.
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Seasoning and ingredients
Firstly, you'll want to season the pork roast generously. A simple yet effective seasoning mix includes salt and pepper, but you can also add brown sugar and paprika for a sweet and savoury flavour profile. You can also add some garlic slivers to the roast by cutting small slits in the meat and inserting the garlic. This will infuse the meat with flavour as it slow cooks.
For the crock pot, you'll need onions, sliced and placed at the bottom of the pot. You can also add other vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and celery. Place the seasoned roast on top of the onions, and then pour your choice of liquid around the roast. This can be chicken broth, or for a richer flavour, try a sauce like teriyaki or Worcestershire sauce.
The crock pot is a great option for this dish as it allows the meat to cook slowly, becoming tender and flavourful. The sauce or broth will also reduce and intensify in flavour, creating a delicious gravy to serve with the meat and vegetables.
You can also add some red pepper flakes or Sriracha for a spicier dish, or even throw in some extra vegetables like garlic to create a truly tasty and nutritious meal.
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Cooking methods
Slow cooking a picnic roast in a crock pot is an easy and convenient way to prepare a delicious meal. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook a picnic roast in a crock pot:
Preparation:
Firstly, gather your ingredients. For a simple roast, you will need a pork shoulder roast (also known as a Boston butt, picnic roast, or butt roast), onions, seasoning (such as salt and pepper), and chicken or vegetable broth. You can also add vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and celery if you want a heartier meal.
Cooking Method:
Start by slicing the onions and placing them at the bottom of the crock pot. You can also add other aromatics like garlic or celery at this stage for extra flavour. Then, season your roast generously with salt and pepper or a dry rub of brown sugar, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add extra flavour by cutting small slits in the roast and inserting garlic slivers. Place the seasoned roast on top of the onions.
Next, carefully pour broth around the roast. Avoid pouring it directly on top, as this might wash away the seasoning. You can also add a sauce or gravy at this stage for extra flavour. Some popular options include teriyaki sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or a simple mixture of cornstarch and water.
Cover the crock pot and set it to cook. The cooking time will depend on your desired doneness and the settings of your crock pot. For a low setting, cook for 8-10 hours or until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily with a fork. For a high setting, cook for 6-7 hours or until the meat reaches the desired tenderness.
Serving:
Once the roast is cooked to your liking, remove it from the crock pot and shred the meat, removing any large pieces of fat. If you want to make a gravy, transfer some of the liquid from the crock pot to a saucepan, thicken it with a slurry of cornstarch and water, and season to taste. Serve the roast with the gravy and your choice of sides, such as roasted vegetables or potatoes.
Tips:
- This recipe is very versatile and can be adapted to your taste preferences. You can easily adjust the seasoning, add spices, or include other ingredients like garlic to enhance the flavour.
- Leftovers can be used in various dishes, such as sandwiches, tacos, burritos, or enchiladas.
- If you have any unused cooked meat, it can be frozen for later use. Simply shred it, place it in an airtight container or freezer bag, and thaw it when needed.
- While a pork shoulder roast is ideal for this recipe, you can also use a boneless pork loin for a leaner option.
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Serving suggestions
A crock pot picnic roast is a versatile dish that can be served in several ways. Here are some serving suggestions:
Sides and Accompaniments
The roast can be served with a variety of sides, such as potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables. For a cold and crunchy contrast, a kale or creamy ranch salad is a perfect pairing. Breads like cornbread muffins or olive bread with Parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes can also complement the meal.
Gravy
The cooking liquid can be used to make a delicious gravy to accompany the roast. Simply transfer about 1 ½ cups of the liquid to a saucepan, create a slurry with cornstarch and water, and slowly add it to the liquid. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat, and whisk until thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve the gravy over the roast and vegetables.
Leftovers
Leftovers from the crock pot picnic roast can be used in various dishes. Shredded meat can be added to tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or quesadillas. It can also be used as a topping for nachos or taco shells. For a heartier option, the leftovers can be served over mashed potatoes or with creamy ranch salad.
Pulled Pork
The crock pot picnic roast can be transformed into pulled pork by shredding the meat and adding BBQ sauce. This pulled pork can be piled onto buns or rolls, and coleslaw can be added for a crunchy and flavorful touch.
Presenting the Dish
For a more presentable dish, slightly smash the cooked potatoes and serve the roast, carrots, and gravy over them. This creates a visually appealing and tasty combination.
These serving suggestions offer a range of options to enjoy the crock pot picnic roast, from sides and sauces to creative ways to use leftovers.
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Nutritional information
Crock-pot picnic roast is a nutritionally balanced meal that includes protein, carbohydrates, fats, and several essential micronutrients. The nutritional content of a crock-pot meal can vary depending on the ingredients used and the quantities consumed.
A typical crock-pot pork roast recipe with potatoes and carrots provides a good balance of macronutrients. The roast itself is a high-protein food, with 25- 37 grams of protein per serving. It is also a good source of healthy fats, with 14 grams of total fat, including 3-5 grams of saturated fat. The carbohydrates in this meal come from the potatoes and carrots, contributing 2 grams of fibre and 1-13 grams of sugar.
In terms of micronutrients, crock-pot picnic roast provides B vitamins, zinc, iron, potassium, and vitamin A. The iron content ranges from 1-2.3 mg, while potassium is around 499-703 mg. Vitamin A content can vary from 0.4 to 595 IU, depending on the recipe and ingredients used.
Additionally, crock-pot picnic roast contains sodium, with values ranging from 482-2758 mg, and cholesterol, contributing 86-127 mg. It is worth noting that the sodium levels can be particularly high in some cases, so it is important to be mindful of this, especially if you are watching your salt intake.
Overall, crock-pot picnic roast is a nutritious and versatile meal that can be adapted to suit various dietary preferences and requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to cook a picnic roast on low heat for 8-10 hours or on high heat for 6-7 hours.
The basic ingredients are a pork roast, onions, chicken or beef broth, and seasonings such as salt, pepper, and garlic.
Slice the onions and place them at the bottom of the crock pot. Season the roast with salt, pepper, and garlic slivers, then place it on top of the onions. Pour the broth around the roast, being careful not to wash off the seasonings.
The ideal temperature for slow cooking meat is around 190 degrees Fahrenheit, which is considered a low temperature setting on most crock pots.
Yes, you can add vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and celery to the crock pot along with the meat.
