Pork Perfection: One-Pot Wonder

how to cook pork in one pot

Pork is a versatile meat that can be cooked in many ways. One-pot pork recipes include pork roast, pulled pork, stew, and carnitas. To make a one-pot pork roast, rub the pork with salt, pepper, and herbs, sear the meat, and then cook it with vegetables and liquid in a crock pot or Dutch oven. For pulled pork, cook a pork shoulder low and slow in a Dutch oven or slow cooker with liquid, shred the meat, and mix in vegetables. Pork stew can be made in an Instant Pot by browning the pork with flour, salt, and pepper, and then cooking it with vegetables, wine, and broth.

Characteristics Values
Meat Pork loin, tenderloin, butt, shoulder, or stew meat
Seasoning Salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves
Coating Flour
Oil Vegetable oil, canola oil, extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, butter
Vegetables Onion, garlic, carrots, celery, mushrooms, potatoes, peas, prunes, parsnips
Liquid Chicken or beef stock, wine, chicken or vegetable broth, tomato juice, beer, orange juice
Thickener Tomato paste, cornstarch
Cooking Method Slow cooker, Dutch oven, Instant Pot, stovetop
Cooking Time 2-4 hours in the oven, 20 minutes in the Instant Pot
Serving Suggestions Bread, cornbread muffins, salad, tacos, sandwiches, wraps

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How to cook pork shoulder in one pot

Cooking pork shoulder in one pot is a foolproof method that requires time but minimal effort. The key is to cook the pork slowly at a low, steady temperature, allowing the gelatin in the tough shoulder muscle to melt and baste the meat. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cook pork shoulder in one pot:

Ingredients and Preparation:

For this recipe, you will need a Dutch oven or a heavy pot, a pork shoulder (bone-in or boneless), olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and other spices or herbs of your choice. You can also add vegetables like onions, garlic, potatoes, and carrots to cook alongside the pork.

Start by trimming any large pieces of fat from the pork shoulder, leaving the smaller pieces and interior fat. If using boneless pork, cut it into large fist-sized pieces. Sprinkle the pork generously with salt, pepper, and any desired spices or herbs. You can also rub the pork with a mixture of garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper for added flavour.

Cooking the Pork:

Heat some olive oil in your Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Sear the pork on all sides until browned, which should take around 3-4 minutes per side. If your pot is not large enough to sear the pork comfortably, you can sear it in batches.

After searing the pork, you can add your choice of vegetables to the pot. For extra flavour, you can also add a liquid mixture such as chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard. Cover the pot and transfer it to a preheated oven. Cook at a low temperature (around 180°C/325°F-350°F) for 2 to 4 hours, depending on the amount of pork and whether it's bone-in.

Checking for Doneness:

The pork is done when it's fork-tender and can be easily pierced without resistance. If using bone-in pork, the meat should be falling off the bone. If you're unsure, you can continue cooking for another 30 minutes, as it's difficult to overcook the meat at this low temperature.

Serving:

Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Shred the meat into pieces using forks or your fingers, removing any large pieces of fat or bones. If you've added vegetables, you can chop and mix them with the pork. Serve the juicy, tender pork with your favourite sides, such as roasted potatoes, vegetables, or a salad. Enjoy the delicious, fall-apart pork that you've created in one pot!

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One-pot pork stew

Ingredients

  • Pork loin
  • Salt
  • Ground black pepper
  • Smoked paprika
  • Chili powder
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Bay leaves
  • All-purpose flour
  • Vegetable oil
  • Yellow onion
  • Garlic
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Baby Bella mushrooms
  • Mini red Potatoes
  • Frozen peas
  • Chicken stock
  • Red wine
  • Tomato paste
  • Cornstarch

Method

  • Cut the pork loin into chunks.
  • Place the pork chunks into a large bowl and sprinkle with flour, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
  • Turn on the Instant Pot and select Sauté. Adjust to High.
  • Once hot, add the oil.
  • Once the oil is simmering, add the meat in one layer. Work in batches if needed.
  • Brown the meat on all sides for about 5 minutes per batch. Once browned, set aside.
  • Add onion and garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  • Add wine to deglaze the pot, scraping the bits that are stuck to it with a wooden spoon.
  • Cancel the Sauté function.
  • Add back the meat and add tomato paste.
  • Add carrots, celery, potatoes, and mushrooms.
  • Pour the chicken stock and red wine mixture on top.
  • Add bay leaves and season with salt and pepper.
  • Cover and lock the lid, and point the valve to seal.
  • Select Manual Pressure Cook for 20 minutes on High.
  • Follow with a 10-minute Natural Pressure Release, after which you release the remaining pressure manually.

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Instant pot pork

Instant Pot Pulled Pork

A popular recipe for the Instant Pot is pulled pork. This recipe uses a pork loin roast, or a pork shoulder, and is seasoned with a mixture of brown sugar, salt, garlic and onion powder, paprika, pepper, and cumin. The pork is then cooked in a mixture of broth, barbecue sauce, and apple cider vinegar. After cooking, the meat is shredded and served on soft hamburger buns with your favourite toppings.

Another option is to make a pork stew in the Instant Pot. This recipe uses pork loin, but pork tenderloin, pork butt, or pork shoulder would also work. The pork is seasoned with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and bay leaves, and coated in flour. It is then browned in the Instant Pot and cooked with a mixture of vegetables, chicken or beef stock, red wine, tomato paste, and frozen peas. This recipe is a great option for a busy day and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

For a classic option, try an Instant Pot pork roast. This recipe uses a pork shoulder, or a pork loin roast, and is pressure-cooked in broth and red wine. Root vegetables are then added, and the dish is finished with a quick pressure cook. This recipe is perfect for when you're in a pinch, as it is easy to make and feeds a lot of people.

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One-pot pork roast

Ingredients

  • Pork shoulder or pork butt
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Rosemary
  • Paprika
  • Thyme
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Oil
  • Water
  • Wine
  • Flour
  • Potatoes
  • Carrots

Method

  • Pat the pork shoulder with a paper towel to absorb liquid. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  • Rub the spice mixture all over the pork.
  • Place a large cast-iron skillet or other heavy pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat.
  • Add oil to the hot skillet and swirl to coat.
  • Add the pork to the skillet and sear on all sides. Remove the pork from the skillet and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add onions and garlic and sauté until soft.
  • Put the roast back into the pan and add water. Reduce the heat to medium or medium-low.
  • Cover and simmer until the pork is tender, about 2 hours. Turn the meat occasionally as the water evaporates and add more water as needed.
  • Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set aside.
  • To make the gravy, add wine and water to the skillet and bring to a boil. Scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
  • Add a flour-water paste to the skillet and whisk slowly until the gravy reaches the desired thickness.
  • Serve the pork with the gravy, mashed potatoes, and carrots.

Tips and Variations

  • If your pork roast has a fat cap, place the fat side facing up while cooking to create more flavorful and juicy pork.
  • You can also add other vegetables like mushrooms, celery, and peas to the dish.
  • For a thicker and more flavorful gravy, sear the meat before adding the water to create a fond, which will be used to start the gravy.
  • This recipe can also be made in a slow cooker or Dutch oven, cooking the pork slowly in the oven for 2 to 4 hours.
  • For a sweeter dish, pair the pork with sliced apples and apple cider.

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One-pot pulled pork

Pulled pork is a simple dish to make at home. It can be cooked in an instant pot, slow cooker, or oven. Here is a recipe for cooking pulled pork in an instant pot.

Ingredients

  • Pork loin roast or pork shoulder
  • Brown sugar
  • Salt
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Paprika
  • Pepper
  • Cumin
  • Barbecue sauce
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Chicken broth
  • Olive oil

Method

  • Trim excess fat from the pork roast and cut it into four equal-sized chunks.
  • Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl and whisk together. Add the pork chunks to the bowl and coat well.
  • Add olive oil to the instant pot and set to saute mode.
  • Once the oil is hot, add two pieces of pork and sear for about 2 minutes on each side.
  • Remove the pork and repeat with the remaining pieces.
  • Pour chicken broth into the pot and use a wooden spoon to deglaze the bottom, scraping up all the bits.
  • Put the seared pork back into the instant pot.
  • Close the lid and valve to sealing.
  • Cook on Manual/High pressure for 70 minutes.
  • When the timer beeps, allow the pot to release pressure naturally for about 15 minutes.
  • Remove the lid and shred the meat.
  • Add barbecue sauce, if desired.

Tips

  • For extra flavour, you can marinate the pork in the rub for 30-60 minutes before cooking.
  • You can substitute the chicken broth with beef broth or water.
  • You can also use coke instead of chicken broth to add sweetness and tenderize the meat.

Frequently asked questions

Cooking pork in one pot can take anywhere from 2 to 10 hours, depending on the amount of pork and the cooking method used.

There are several side dishes that can accompany a one-pot pork dish. Some options include mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, sautéed broccoli, cornbread muffins, olive bread, and a green salad.

To make juicy and flavorful pork in one pot, consider the following tips:

- If the pork has a fat cap, place the fat side facing up while cooking.

- Sear the meat before cooking to add flavor and create a fond, which can be used as the base for a gravy.

- Slow cook the pork at a low temperature to help break down the meat and make it moist and tender.

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