Some days are just hectic! I turn to my slow cooker so I can 'set and forget!' This pork shoulder with vegetables in the slow cooker is a simple meal that cannot really be messed up 😉 And while pork shoulder is not the best cut of meat, you still can shop around to find a high-quality source 🙂
With summer here, I find a lot of meat goes on sale. Our local grocery store tends to put different cuts of steaks on sale each week, but not everyone is into steak. If you are like me and don't care much for BBQing (I know, I know!) then the slow cooker may come in handy on these hot, summer days.
This pork shoulder with vegetables in the slow cooker is super easy and very basic: meaning it should please everyone without being overly complicated. Everyone likes easy recipes, and this one definitely fits the bill. Pork shoulder is common in pulled pork recipes (I have mine coming in the next few week!) but it is also great as is. Fresh herbs would really complete this meal, but for some reason I can never keep any on hand!
The secret to keeping this pork shoulder moist is not overcooking it. I find with pulled pork you intentionally overcook it in the slow cooker to result in that pull-apart consistency. In this recipe, you want to play it safe. Luckily, my slow cooker has a built in thermometer so I don't have to worry about the meat overcooking. Try and cook it to 145-150F, because allowing the meat to rest, covered, will bring it up the degrees it needs.
Trust me, allowing meat to rest is the best thing you can do (as all these cooking shows have shown over the years!) Personally, I tend to broil my meat once it is done in the slow cooker for added color. But that is all up to you!
📖 Recipe
Pork Shoulder with Vegetables in the Slow Cooker
Such an easy midweek meal! Spend a bit extra for a nice cut of pork shoulder (not a super fatty chunk!)
Ingredients
- 5 ½ lb pork shoulder, excess fat trimmed
- 1 lb carrots, cut into thin matchsticks
- 1.5 lbs Creamer potatoes, quartered (if using regular-sized potatoes, cut them into very small cubes.)
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 6 garlic cloves, smashed
- 2 tbsp. butter, divided
- ½ tsp. dried parsley
- ½ tsp. + 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. dried basil
- 1 tsp. dried rosemary
- ¼ tsp. cayenne powder
- ½ tsp. dried thyme
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Combine veggies in 6-quart slow cooker with 2 smashed garlic cloves, parsley, basil, ½ tsp. oregano, salt, and pepper. Add 1 tbsp. of butter and mix the veggies the best you can.
- Place pork on top of veggies. Slit some pockets into the meat so you can stick the remaining garlic into each cavity. Season with salt, pepper, 1 tsp. oregano, rosemary, cayenne, and thyme. Sprinkle 1 tbsp. of butter on top of meat. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until meat is around 145-155F (mine took exactly 6 hours because it was so thick: time will vary.)
- Remove meat from slow cooker and place onto baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Set under the broiler until meat is nicely browned. Remove from oven; cover meat with foil and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Slice and serve with your veggies!
Notes
Keep your veggies as small as possible so they cook through nicely with the meat 🙂 Cook time may vary for your pork depending on thickness.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1472Total Fat: 104gSaturated Fat: 46gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 49gCholesterol: 384mgSodium: 500mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 100g
Love this pork shoulder with vegetables in the slow cooker?! Try some of these recipes:
Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker
Heather @ Sugar Dish Me
That pork shoulder is beautiful! I really love slow cooker recipes in the summer. It eliminates all the bad things about cooking!
Kacey
I couldn't agree more, Heather!
Chandra@The Plaid & Paisley Kitchen
OOH this would be perfect fork shredded for BBQ sandwiches. BBQ without the heat of the grill. My favorite way to cook in the summer!
Kacey
I totally could have made pulled pork from this, couldn't I? Next time! Thanks for stopping by!
Kate @ Diethood
I honestly drooled... the pork looks so perfect!! I mean, pork + slow cooker = a win every.single.time!
Kacey
Especially in the summer!
Ashley (QLCC)
Slow cookers are SO helpful! I typically use pork shoulder for pulled pork, but now I want to try this!
Kacey
I think the shoulder is most common for pulled pork, but I definitely wanted to try something different 🙂
Tonia from TheGunnySack
Great idea! I usually make roast beef in the slow cooker but I need to make more pork roast too!
Kacey
My mother-in-law is famous for making roast beef in the slow cooker 🙂
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron
What a great recipe! I've never made non-pulled pork in my slow cooker before. What model of slow cooker do you have? I love that it has a thermometer! Is it a probe?
Kacey
Hey, Denise. My slow cooker is a Hamilton Beach (this one) and I definitely bought it for that thermometer probe!! Everyone has received one for their birthday, haha (they go on sale SUPER cheap.)
Justine | Cooking and Beer
I'm seriously obsessed with my slow cooker all year round. Definitely will have to try your recipe! Drool!
Amber | Caleigh's Kitchen
This sounds great, I really need to use my slow cooker more! Delicious recipe!
Sara
This looks amazing, I love pork shoulder and I bet it's really flavorful from being cooked for so long!
Kacey
Definitely, Sara! And no worries of overcooking with that thermometer probe!
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert
We love pork in the slow cooker at our house! It just gets so tender it's impossible to resist!
Kacey
So much easier than stressing over the stove (and possibly overcooking the pork!)
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist
I am dying. I truly want to devour my screen. That is scrumptious.
Kacey
Haha, thanks, Michelle!!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files
Easy meals are definitely the best and you can do no wrong with pork!