Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder Recipe
Slow cooker pork shoulder recipe is an easy and flavor-filled meal for the family. The shredded pork is perfect, resting on top of mashed potatoes with gravy or as a sandwich on a toasty sesame seed bun. The recipe calls for a few simple ingredients and will become one of your favorite recipes.
| Prep Time | Cook Time/Gravy Thicken | Servings | Prep Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | 8 hours + 1 hour | 12 | Beginner + |
Pork shoulder goes by several names, including pork butt, Boston butt, blade roast, and picnic shoulder, among other names. But, no matter what you call it, the tender pork tastes amazing and is a hearty and comforting meal.
Important Info About The Recipe
- The end result is always a tender and flavorful dish.
- You can add some variety to the recipe.
- It will feed a crowd.
- The gravy that cooks with the shoulder is perfect for topping mashed potatoes, rice, or anything in between.
Ingredients
- 4-pound pork shoulder (Boston butt roast)
- 10.5-ounce can of cream of chicken soup
- 10.5-ounce can of cream of mushroom soup
- 2-ounce pack of onion soup/dip mix
- 1/2 cup water
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken the gravy
- Optional: side of mashed potatoes or buns for shredded pork sandwiches
Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed below.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Start by adding the cream of chicken soup to a medium-sized bowl.
Next, add the cream of mushroom soup to the bowl.
Now, add the onion soup/dip mix to the bowl. The onion soup mix is packed full of flavor and will taste amazing.
Add the salt and pepper to the mix. This looks like a ton of salt, but it’s not. It’s just an up-close picture. Salt and pepper are optional, as the onion soup mix is already somewhat salty.
Pour the water into the ingredients and mix well.
Grease the Crock Pot with non-stick spray and add the pork shoulder to the bottom of the slow cooker.
Pour the gravy mixture over the top. When the pork cooks, it will release a lot of liquid, and sometimes it comes out thick, but if not, you can add some flour after the cooking process, which is what I do in the pictures below.
Once you’re done cooking the pork, after about eight hours, remove the meat from the Crock Pot and place it into a large bowl. Remove the bones from the slow cooker and the bones from the bowl of pork.
You can see in the picture above that there’s quite a bit of liquid. If it’s not thick, you can add flour, as shown below.
Remove all of the bones. While cooking, the bones help give the dish a lot of flavor.
While the pork is in the bowl and you’ve removed the bones, add some flour to the liquid, which will help it thicken. Whisk the flour and return the pork to the slow cooker for at least 45 minutes to one hour. This will give the gravy time to thicken and cook more.
Once you’ve cooked the meat, remove it and serve it over mashed potatoes, or add it to a bun for dinner.
Spoon the gravy over the top, and you have a great meal.
How Do I Know When The Pork is Done Cooking?
- First, you can use a digital meat thermometer, and if your pork is at or above the 145-degree mark, your food is done. Just be sure not to allow the thermometer to touch the bone, or you will get an incorrect reading.
- Once the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees, allow the meat to rest for several minutes before eating. (If you want fall-off-the-bone meat, you might need to cook it a little longer).
- When the meat falls apart, it’s done. You will notice after at least eight hours of cooking on low heat that the pork will most likely be falling apart when you lift it with a fork. If it’s not, you can cook it longer until it does fall apart.
What To Serve With Pork Shoulder
- Funeral potatoes are easy to make and taste fantastic.
- After you eat this Moist Jiffy Cornbread recipe, you will never make it any other way.
- Slow cooker glazed carrots with brown sugar is another easy side dish to make with little effort.
More Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow cooker chicken and gravy is a comforting meal that is easy to make. The recipe is a great way to get the kids to the table fast. Slow cooker pork roast with vegetables is a great recipe for the winter months because it’s a soup that is perfect for warming you up after a cold day. And you only need a handful of ingredients for the recipe.
Slow cooker pork tenderloin is another great slow cooker meal that doesn’t take a lot of work to get started. For the best results, add the dry rub, let it marinate for 24 hours, and then keep it on the low setting in the Crock Pot and cook it all day for a tender and juicy meal.
Substitutions and Variations
One of the great things about this slow cooker dish is the versatility it offers. Here are a few ideas on how to change things up a little:
- Asian-inspired – Season the pork with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a little brown sugar. Serve with steamed rice or noodles.
- Mexican-inspired – add some kick to your pork shoulder by adding chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano. This combination of flavors will give the meat smoky, earthy flavors that are perfect for tacos, burritos, or enchiladas.
- Mediterranean-inspired – Season the pork shoulder with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, and thyme. Pair it with some roasted vegetables or a fresh salad.
- BBQ-Inspired – Cover the shoulder with a homemade BBQ rub. Combine brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and a touch of cayenne pepper for a sweet and smoky seasoning that will make your pork shoulder irresistible.
Should I Cook It On High Or Low?
Pork shoulder will be more tender if you cook it on the low, slow cooker setting. You can cook it on high, and it will take half the amount of time, but it will not be as tender.
Leftovers and Storage
Store the pork shoulder in an airtight container or cover it with some plastic wrap and keep it refrigerated. You can reheat the pork for another main course or try some pulled pork tacos, add the pork to some vegetable broth and potatoes and make a soup, or create a dish your favorite way.
Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 pound pork shoulder Boston butt roast
- 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- 2 ounce pack onion soup/dip mix
- 1/2 cup water
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons flour to thicken gravy
Instructions
- Add the cans of chicken and mushroom soup to a medium-sized bowl.
- Next, add the onion soup/dip mix, salt, pepper, and water. Mix well.
- Place the pork shoulder in the greased Crock Pot.
- Pour the gravy mixture over the pork.
- Close the lid and set the Crock Pot for 8 hours on low.
- After the pork shoulder cooks, remove the meat from the Crock Pot and place it into a large bowl.
- Remove the bones from the bowl of pork and the Crock Pot. Dispose of the bones.
- If the gravy is too runny, add two tablespoons of flour and whisk.
- Add the meat back to the Crock Pot and replace the cover.
- Allow the meal to cook at least one more hour to allow the gravy to thicken.
That looks like perfect comfort food to me!
Thanks, Carlee!
WOW! This looks amazing! Girl, you know how to make me hungry.
Thanks! I’m always hungry.
I can only seen to find boneless pork shoulder. Will this work?
Hi Bryn,
That will work fine. Enjoy!
We had a cheap pork roast in freezer and needed the room…oh my so happy I found this recipe absolutely delicious! I mean I could eat it every day and was lucky I all ingredients on hand. You won’t be disappointed.
Hi Char!
That’s wonderful to hear and thanks so much for sharing!
Could I use two cans cream of chicken and skip the cream of mushroom?
Yes, you can. I’ve done that and it’s delish!
I did not add water, the pork provided plenty of liquid on its own. I did add an onion and minced garlic. Super yummy 😋
That’s awesome to hear. Thanks for sharing!
Can the meat go in frozen?
You can put it in frozen, but you will probably have to cook it longer. If it’s several pounds, I would cook at least one to two hours longer. Hope that helps!
This looks delicious and simple, I don’t have the onion soup/dip mix though, would a chopped up fresh onion be okay as a substitute?
I think that would be just fine. You might need to add a little bit more salt and pepper for flavor. Enjoy!
What if I don’t have the dry soup mix ? Thanks 🙂
Hi Christy, you can always add some ranch seasoning. If you don’t have that, just add some diced onions, salt, and pepper. It will still taste great.
This was delicious. I was unsure as I don’t usually use cream of anything soups, but this was terrific.
I paired this with mashed potatoes,buttered corn and butter swim biscuits.
Thanks for the delicious recipe.It got rave reviews from my whole family.
Hi Mrs. Timothy! That’s wonderful to hear and I am so glad everyone loved it!
Simple and delicious! I made this and ate it with white rice tonight – will definitely make this again. I left out the additional salt as there was enough in the soup and onion mix. Mahalo for the recipe!
Thanks, Ron! Glad you liked it.
Made per recipe and it turned out nice & moist and will make again.
Mine created a lot of liquid and I had to bail some out of the slow cooker fearing it would overflow.
One issue: “…if your pork is at or above the 145-degree mark, your food is done.” It may be safe to eat at 145 but to make fall-off the bone pulled pork it’s best to wait until it reaches 180+.
Hi Michael,
Sometimes the pork will put out a lot of liquid. That has happened to me before. Glad you liked it!
Very true about the fall-off the bone temp! Thank you!
Can you cook it on high?
You can. You should be able to cut the time in half. Just make sure it’s the correct temperature. And, the meat should fall apart. Hope you enjoy it!
Will a pork loin work
Hi Krista, yes, a pork loin will work great.
Had a 6.5# shoulder so I did crm mushroom, crm chicken and a can of crm chicken & mushroom. Also didn’t add salt or water to the sauce. Used 3T flour at the end and served over mashed potatoes. This is a new family favorite- so delicious, thank you!
Sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing! I will have to try it that way. I love to try these recipes in different ways!
AMAZING !!! MADE THIS WITH MASHED POTATOES AND SAUTÉED RED ONION GARLIC SPINACH AS A SIDE. WITH BISCUITS 5 STARS 🌟
That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Best and easiest crock pot pork recipe I’ve ever eaten! Hubby and kids loved it too!
So easy and delicious!
awesome! Im trying this tomorrow!
I hope you love it!
Comfort food at it’s simplest and best! The Official Food Taster (aka my husband), said “Delicious!” I didn’t tell him how simple it was though, ha ha! Let him think I slaved in the kitchen! I used a boneless roast and it was fine. An excellent choice for a dinner for a large family or guests, so you have time/energy to devote to the rest of the meal. Thanks for the recipe!
That’s awesome! I love to hear that! Thanks for coming by and sharing.
How can I do this recipe with a 9 lb-er?
I would say you probably would need to add another Crock Pot to make that much.
Hi, I just found this recipe for the Bone-In Pork Shoulder I have. My Shoulder weighs 7.8lbs, should I double the recipe, or is it fine as is? Thank you.
Hi Rose,
I would double the recipe, but you might have to put it in two slow cookers if it doesn’t fit into one.
Easy and delicious!! A huge hit at my house! My new go to…I will definitely make this again!
Love to hear that! We love it here, too!
Delicious! Total comfort food. It actually reminded me of my childhood, my mom use to pan sear pork chops with cream of mushroom soup on top and served it over rice. The flavor of this and the tenderness of the roast is amazing!
I love it when recipes remind people of their childhood and family! Thanks for sharing!
If I make this a day ahead what is the best way to reheat it?
Hi MJ, I would put it in a baking dish and add some chicken broth to the bottom of the pan so the pork will stay moist. Maybe enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Then add the pork, cover the top with aluminum foil and bake in the oven at 350 for at least 30-45 minutes minutes, or more if needed. Make sure it gets to 165 degrees.
I have a question regarding the onion soup dip mix. The box I purchased comes with two envelopes and says 2 ounces on the box so each envelope is 1 ounce how many ounces of the onion soup dip mix do I need, because your recipe says 1-2 ounce envelope but they don’t come in 2 ounces envelopes or at least, I can’t find one I was just wondering if that was a typo or maybe you did find a brand that had 2 ounces per envelope unlike the limpkin brand I bought which is 1 ounce per envelope
Hi Eddie,
I am so sorry to confuse you. I can see why you would be confused the way I had it written. I corrected it. It calls for two ounces of onion soup mix, which would be two of those one ounce packets. Hope that helps.
@Julie Pollitt,
Hey, thanks for getting back to me, I really appreciate it, I have ADD ADHD, and sometimes I overthink things, it smells so good, i’m on the last step of the recipe and only 45 minutes away from putting myself into a food coma lol, I can’t wait, thanks again
Hi Eddie! I hope you love it! That’s such a great recipe and so hearty. Never hurts to overthink!
This was the best pork roast I’ve ever cooked. I didn’t have the dry onion soup on hand, but the gravy was incredible without it. The meat was so tender.
Oh yay! I love to hear that. Thanks for sharing, Linda!
Another winner! Really easy and very filling. Another one to add to the rotation.
Used no salt soups to make sure it didn’t end up tasting too salty. Some in the family like a lot of salt while others don’t.
So glad you liked it! Always smart to handle salt that way. We have some at our house that love a lot and some that don’t. 🙂