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: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Additional Time: 1 hour (for gravy to thicken)
Total Time: 9 hours and 10 minutes
Servings: 12
Preparation Level: 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
- It takes about 10 minutes to get the delicious pork roast in the slow cooker and cooking.
- 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 cream of chicken soup
- 10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- 2-ounce pack of onion soup/dip mix
- 1/2 cup water
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons flour to thicken 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 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.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
For more delicious recipes try Julia’s Simply Southern and South Your Mouth.
