Cody Casey
Cooking pork shoulder in a crock pot is an easy way to make a delicious, hearty meal. It's a versatile dish that can be used in sandwiches, tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, or as a main course. The key to achieving tender, fall-apart pork is to cook it slowly on low heat, allowing the collagen to break down gently without forcing out moisture too quickly. This method produces juicy, flavourful pork that can be paired with various sides and sauces to create a mouth-watering meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Pork shoulder, pork butt, or pork tenderloin |
| Meat weight | 3-5 pounds |
| Meat type | Boneless or bone-in |
| Meat preparation | Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, paprika, thyme, cumin, and brown sugar |
| Meat cooking time | 6-10 hours on low heat or 6-7 hours on high heat |
| Meat cooking temperature | 325°F (163°C) |
| Vegetables | Potatoes, carrots, parsnips, celery, sweet potatoes, onions |
| Broth | Chicken or vegetable broth |
| Sauce | Barbecue sauce, balsamic vinegar, honey, soy sauce, mustard, Worcestershire sauce |
| Other ingredients | Olive oil, apple cider vinegar, chilli powder, dried thyme, chicken stock |
| Cooking method | Slow cooker or crock pot |
| Cooking time | 8-14 hours |
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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. Bone-in cuts tend to have more flavour due to the bones, but they can be harder to find. Boneless pork shoulders, on the other hand, may offer a slightly quicker cooking time and easier shredding after cooking.
Marbling and Fat Content
Look for moderate marbling, which refers to the fat distributed throughout the meat. Some fat marbling is beneficial because it helps baste the meat during cooking, keeping it moist and juicy. However, avoid excessive fat caps, as they can make the pork greasy.
Size and Shape
Select a pork shoulder that fits your crockpot size. For a 6-8 quart crockpot, a 4-5 pound pork shoulder is generally suitable. If you're cooking for a smaller group, you can go for a smaller roast. Also, aim for a uniformly shaped roast without odd protrusions to ensure even cooking.
Alternative Cuts
If you can't find pork shoulder or want to try something different, pork butt (also known as Boston butt) is an excellent alternative. It has similar marbling and tenderness, making it ideal for pulled pork. Pork butt is also a very forgiving cut of meat, ensuring tender and juicy results.
Leaner Cuts to Avoid
While pork shoulder and pork butt are ideal for slow cooking, leaner cuts like pork loin are best avoided. Leaner cuts tend to dry out during the extended cooking time in a crockpot.
Remember, selecting the right cut of pork shoulder is just the first step in creating delicious crockpot meals. Combining it with the right spices, aromatics, and vegetables will further enhance the flavour and overall dining experience.
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Preparing the meat and crock pot
Next, rub the pork with a spice rub. You can make your own by mixing salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chilli powder, cumin, brown sugar, and any other seasonings you like. You can also buy pre-made spice rubs. Slather the spice rub all over the pork shoulder.
Then, heat some olive oil in a large skillet and sear the pork on all sides until browned (about 3-4 minutes per side). If you're short on time, you can skip this step.
While the pork is searing, prepare the crock pot. You can add vegetables such as onion, garlic, potatoes, and carrots to the bottom of the crock pot. You can also add liquid to the crock pot—about 3 cups of any liquid, such as apple juice, coke, beer, or broth.
Finally, place the seared pork shoulder in the crock pot. If you didn't sear the meat, simply place the seasoned pork shoulder in the crock pot and cover it with a lid.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for pork shoulder in a crock pot can vary depending on the weight of the cut of meat and the desired cooking temperature. For example, a smaller pork shoulder roast that weighs 3 pounds will take less time to cook than a larger 5-pound shoulder roast.
It is recommended to cook pork shoulder on a low heat setting for a longer period of time to achieve the best texture. This is because collagen needs time 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.
For a low heat setting, it is recommended to cook pork shoulder in a crock pot for 8 to 10 hours. On a high heat setting, the cooking time can be reduced to 5 to 7 hours. However, for the best results, it is recommended to cook pork shoulder on low heat for 9 to 12 hours.
One source recommends cooking pork shoulder at 325°F (163°C) in a covered Dutch oven for about 3 to 4 hours, or until the pork is fork-tender. Another source recommends cooking an 8-pound pork shoulder on low heat for around 10 hours.
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Making a sauce or gravy
The juices and fat released from the pork shoulder as it cooks can be used to make a sauce or gravy. To do this, collect the remaining liquid from the crockpot and pour it into a measuring cup or small bowl. You will notice that most of it is pork juice, with a layer of fat on top. If the fat bothers you, chill the measuring cup in an ice bath and in the fridge until the fat hardens, then discard it. If you don't mind adding the rendered fat back to the meat, you can skip this step.
Next, pour the remaining liquid through a strainer over the pulled meat. You can also add vegetables to the crockpot to enhance the flavour of the sauce. Onions, garlic, potatoes, and carrots are all great options. If you want to add some extra flavour to the sauce, you can whisk in some broth, vinegar, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, herbs, and salt before pouring it over the vegetables and meat.
For a more savoury sauce, you can use bottled barbecue sauce, yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Apple cider vinegar adds brightness and cuts through the other rich flavours. If you're looking for a sweeter sauce, light brown sugar lends warmth and sweetness to the dish. For a spicy kick, season the sauce with chilli powder, garlic, and dried thyme.
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Serving suggestions
Slow cooker pork shoulder is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to make the most of this delicious and tender meat:
Sandwiches and Rolls
Pork shoulder cooked in a crock pot is perfect for sandwiches and rolls. You can shred the meat and serve it on toasted buttered rolls or brioche buns with a drizzle of BBQ sauce. For an extra crunch, try adding some coleslaw to your sandwich. If you have any leftover pork, simply pile it onto toasted buns with coleslaw and BBQ sauce for an easy and tasty meal.
Tacos, Quesadillas, and Enchiladas
The shredded pork is also ideal for tacos, quesadillas, or enchiladas. You can add your favourite taco toppings, such as salsa, cheese, and guacamole. For enchiladas, try using a green enchilada sauce for a unique flavour.
Sides and Accompaniments
When serving the pork as a main course, consider pairing it with hearty vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, parsnips, celery, or sweet potatoes. You can also serve it with a fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette, corn on the cob, mac n cheese, fresh fruit, or apple pie à la mode.
Gravy
Don't forget to make use of the delicious juices left in the crock pot! You can create a gravy by mixing the juices with cornstarch and water. Drizzle this gravy over the pork and vegetables for added flavour and moisture.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to cook pork shoulder in a crock pot on a low heat setting for 8-10 hours. This will ensure the collagen breaks down effectively without forcing out moisture too quickly.
You will need pork shoulder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, olive oil, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, dijon mustard, herbs, and potatoes and carrots if desired.
Before placing the pork shoulder in the crock pot, rub the meat with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Then, heat olive oil in a skillet and sear the pork on all sides until browned.
Crock pot pork shoulder is a versatile dish that can be served in sandwiches, on baked potatoes, with rice, in tacos, or as a hearty main dish.
