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This Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder Roast Recipe is the perfect family meal that is easy to put together. You can serve it as a sliced roast or shred it for sandwiches, quesadillas or rice bowls. Your family will love the sweet flavor of the pork!
SLOW COOKER PORK SHOULDER ROAST RECIPE
Today I am excited to partner with the Ohio Pork Council to share an easy slow cooker pork recipe.
This Slow Cooker Pork Should Roast Recipe uses a brown sugar rub to create a sweet and slightly spicy flavor that pairs perfectly with the pork.
You can serve this pork as a sliced roast or you can shred it into pulled pork and create bbq pulled pork sandwiches.
I like to serve this pork with Simple Garlic Parmesan Green Beans and Gouda Mashed Potatoes, or if I do pulled bbq pork on sandwiches I will add a side of this roasted buffalo cauliflower.
I know a lot of you enjoy the pork recipes I share including this post on How to Make Pork Tenderloin, Pork Souvlaki with Tzatziki and these Grilled Hawaiian Pork Chops.
I love today’s recipe because it cooks while you go about your day and when it is done you have a large amount of pork to feed your family. I often will freeze half of the pulled pork for later.
HOW TO COOK A PORK ROAST?
- In a medium mixing bowl combine the spice rub ingredients. Rub the spice rub on all sides of the pork roast.
- In a large skillet heat the 2 Tablespoons of olive oil over medium high heat. Add the pork and sear each side for about 2 minutes per side.
- Place the onion, garlic and carrots in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the broth and then place the pork shoulder on top.
- Cook on low for 10 to 12 hours or high for 6 to 8 hours {low is better for a more tender, fall apart pork}. You want the pork to be at a temperature of 145 degrees F.
- You can slice the roast or you can use two forks to shred the pork and return it to the crockpot. Mix well with the juices. Serve it with the carrots and onions and BBQ. You can also serve the shredded pork with buns and the BBQ sauce.
WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD A PORK ROAST BE COOKED TO?
When cooking pork you want to see that blush of pink inside the pork or reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
I know a lot of people still think that pork should be cooked until all of the pink is gone, but the FDA recommends a blush of pink as safe. If you overcook your pork it will be dried out and not as flavorful.
WHY SHOULD I SEAR THE PORK ROAST?
When it comes to pork or beef it helps develop the flavor of the meat when you sear it first in a large skillet until all sides are browned before putting it in the crockpot. It is not something you have to do but I do think it really helps bring out the spices and flavor in the meat.
HOW CAN I USE THIS PORK ROAST?
If you slice the roast you can serve it with a few side dishes or you can shred it and use
- RICE BOWLS: Add this pork, either sliced or pulled, to rice bowls with your favorite toppings. One of my favorite combinations is black beans, pico de gallo, shredded cheese and avocado along with the pulled pork.
- MEXICAN FOOD: I love adding pork to Mexican dishes. I like to use it as a filling to your favorite taco, quesadillas or in place of chicken in these cheesy chicken enchiladas.
- SOUPS: If you have leftover pork consider adding it to soups, like this Instant Pot Pork Chili Verde or this Slow Cooker Pork Pozole.

Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder Roast Recipe
This Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder Roast Recipe is the perfect family meal that is easy to put together. You can serve it as a sliced roast or shred it for sandwiches, quesadillas or rice bowls. Your family will love the sweet flavor of the pork!
Ingredients
- 3 pound pork shoulder roast
- 2 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, cut into big chunks
- 4 carrots, cut into chunks
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper {optional}
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- FOR SERVING:
- BBQ sauce
- Buns
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl combine the spice rub ingredients. Rub the spice rub on all sides of the pork roast.
- In a large skillet heat the 2 Tablespoons of olive oil over medium high heat. Add the pork and sear each side for about 2 minutes per side.
- Place the onion, garlic and carrots in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the broth and then place the pork shoulder on top.
- Cook on low for 10 to 12 hours or high for 6 to 8 hours {low is better for a more tender, fall apart pork}.
- Use two forks to shred the pork and return it to the crockpot. Mix well with the juices.
- Serve it with the carrots and onions and BBQ. You can also serve the shredded pork with buns and the BBQ sauce.
Notes
When cooking pork tenderloin you want to see that blush of pink inside the pork or reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. I know a lot of people still think that pork should be cooked until all of the pink is gone, but the FDA recommends a blush of pink as safe.
Thanks to Ohio Pork for sponsoring today’s post. As always, opinions are 100% my own. I am excited to be partnering with them this year to share more about pork and provide delicious, easy recipes for you to try!
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