Tiffany Haney
Cooking pork butt roast in a crock pot is an easy way to make a delicious, tender, and juicy meal. It's a versatile and affordable cut of meat that can be slow-cooked to perfection, resulting in fall-apart-tender meat that melts in your mouth. With minimal preparation and just a few simple ingredients, you can create a flavourful dish that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a family gathering. The crock pot's slow cooking process breaks down the collagen and connective tissues in the pork, making it incredibly soft and juicy. By adding a small amount of liquid to the crock pot, you can create a delicious gravy to accompany the pork and vegetables.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pre-cooking | Not required |
| Meat | Pork shoulder (Boston butt) |
| Meat weight | 4-5 lbs |
| Meat preparation | Season with salt, pepper, paprika, brown sugar, garlic, lemon pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper |
| Meat texture | Tender, juicy, succulent |
| Meat temperature | 195°-205° |
| Cooking time | 5-10 hours |
| Cooking temperature | Low or high |
| Liquid | Broth, water, apple cider vinegar |
| Vegetables | Carrots, onions, potatoes |
| Sides | Bread, gravy, Worcestershire sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Seasoning and prep
Selecting the Pork:
Choose a pork shoulder roast or Boston butt for your crock pot recipe. This cut of meat is ideal for slow cooking and will result in tender, juicy pork. You can opt for a boneless pork butt or a bone-in roast, depending on your preference.
Seasoning the Pork:
There are various ways to season your pork butt roast, and you can choose a method that suits your taste preferences:
- Dry seasonings: You can use dry seasonings like season salt, lemon pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle these seasonings generously on both sides of the pork roast.
- Wet rub: Create a wet rub by combining paprika, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix these ingredients with a fork and set the mixture aside.
- Garlic slivers: Cut small slits into the roast and insert garlic slivers into the slits. This technique infuses flavour into the meat.
Browning the Pork (Optional):
While this step is optional, browning the pork before placing it in the crock pot can enhance the flavour and seal in the juices. You can do this in a shallow roasting pan under the broiler for about 5 minutes on each side, or in a cast-iron skillet with a touch of oil.
Preparing the Crock Pot:
Place the seasoned pork roast into the crock pot. If you're using a wet rub, pour Worcestershire sauce over the pork. You can also add vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions to the crock pot for a complete meal. Ensure there is at least 1 cup of liquid in the crock pot, as this will help create a tasty gravy and keep the pork moist.
Cooking Time:
The cooking time will depend on your crock pot settings and the size of your pork roast. For a larger roast, you may need to increase the cooking time. Here are some general guidelines:
- Low setting: Cook for 6 to 10 hours, or until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.
- High setting: Cook for 5 to 7 hours, or until the meat is tender.
Remember, it's important to check the doneness of the pork to ensure it's fully cooked. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should be at least 195°F to 205°F. If you don't have a thermometer, use a fork to see if the pork shreds easily.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time for a pork butt roast in a crock pot depends on the weight of the roast and the temperature setting. A larger roast may need a longer cooking time.
It is recommended to cook a pork butt roast on low heat for 8-10 hours or on high for 5-7 hours. The meat should be falling apart and easily pulled apart with a fork when it is done.
It is pretty difficult to overcook a roast in a crock pot, but exceeding the recommended cooking time may result in a drier texture. Cooking pork butt roast on low heat for a longer period allows the connective tissue in the pork to break down more gradually, creating a more tender texture. However, cooking on high heat for a shorter period can be a good option when you need faster preparation.
The internal temperature of the pork butt roast should reach at least 200°F to ensure that all the connective tissue breaks down. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to determine if the pork is cooked to the desired level. If a thermometer is not available, you can check by grabbing a fork and seeing how easily the pork shreds.
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Making gravy
After cooking the pork butt roast, you can make gravy using the cooking liquid from the crock pot. Transfer about 1 to 2 cups of the liquid from the crock pot to a small saucepan. In a separate bowl, create a slurry by mixing 1 to 2 tablespoons of water with 1 to 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. You can also add apple cider vinegar to the slurry. Slowly add the slurry to the liquid in the saucepan, whisking constantly. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and simmer until it thickens. This should take around 2 to 5 minutes.
For extra flavor, you can add butter, soy sauce, salt, and pepper to taste. If you prefer a richer gravy, stir in a splash of cream or a pat of butter once the gravy has thickened.
Before serving, shred the pork into larger pieces and drizzle the gravy over the meat. You can also serve the gravy on the side, along with mashed potatoes, warm dinner rolls, or crusty bread.
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Adding vegetables
When cooking pork butt roast in a crock pot, adding vegetables is a great way to create a full, balanced meal. Here's a step-by-step guide for adding vegetables to your crock pot pork roast:
- Prepare the Vegetables: Choose vegetables that complement the pork roast, such as carrots, onions, potatoes, and garlic. Wash and peel the vegetables as needed. Cut the carrots and potatoes into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. For the onions, you can slice or chop them according to your preference.
- Layer the Vegetables: Place the prepared vegetables into the crock pot. You can layer them at the bottom or surround the pork roast with them. Some recipes suggest placing sliced onions at the bottom of the crock pot first, followed by other vegetables like carrots and potatoes.
- Seasoning and Broth: Season the vegetables with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices or herbs. You can also add garlic slivers into the pork roast by cutting slits in the meat. Then, pour broth or liquid around the roast and vegetables. Chicken broth is recommended for added flavor, but water can also be used.
- Cooking Time: Cover the crock pot and cook on high or low settings, depending on your time preference. For a slower cook, set the crock pot to low for 8-10 hours. If you're short on time, you can cook it on high for 5-7 hours. The meat should be tender and easily pull apart with a fork when it's done.
- Gravy and Serving: Once the pork and vegetables are cooked, remove them from the crock pot. You can thicken the meat drippings with cornstarch and water to create a gravy. Add any additional seasonings, like apple cider vinegar or soy sauce, to taste. Serve the pork butt roast with the cooked vegetables and drizzle the gravy on top.
Remember, it's important to avoid overcooking the vegetables, as they can become mushy. Always check the doneness of the vegetables and meat before serving. You can also sear the pork roast before adding it to the crock pot to enhance the flavor and seal in the juices.
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Leftovers
When reheating pork butt roast leftovers, it is best to do so slowly and gently to avoid drying out the meat. You can reheat the leftovers in a slow cooker, on the stovetop, or in the oven. If using a slow cooker, place the leftover meat back into the slow cooker and add a small amount of liquid such as broth or water. Heat on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat is heated through. If reheating on the stovetop, place the leftover meat in a saucepan with a small amount of liquid, cover, and heat on low for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If reheating in the oven, place the leftover meat in an oven-safe dish, add a small amount of liquid, cover, and heat at 300°F for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.
Leftover gravy can also be frozen and reused. To freeze leftover gravy, let it cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. To reheat, defrost the gravy in the refrigerator overnight and then heat it in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through.
In addition to freezing, leftover pork butt roast can also be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When storing leftovers, transfer them to airtight containers and place them in the refrigerator as soon as possible to prevent bacterial growth.
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Frequently asked questions
You can cook it on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 5-7 hours. The meat should be falling apart and easily shreddable with a fork.
It is recommended to sear the roast in a skillet until it is browned on all sides before putting it in the crockpot. This locks in the flavor and makes the meat tender.
You will need pork shoulder or Boston butt, at least 1 cup of liquid, and seasonings of your choice. Some common seasonings include garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
