Name: Crock Pot Pork Roast
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 360 min
Total time: 370 min
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided use); 3 pounds pork loin (can also use pork shoulder or pork butt); salt and pepper to taste; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 1/2 cups chicken broth; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; 2 tablespoons light brown sugar; 1 tablespoon garlic (minced); 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 2 tablespoons butter (cut into slices); 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)

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This crock pot pork roast is tender pork loin simmered in a slow cooker in a rich and flavorful gravy. A quick and easy dinner option that always gets rave reviews!

I love to pull out my crock pot on busy days when I want to come home to dinner waiting for me. Some of my favorite recipes include slow cooker pot roast, crock pot BBQ chicken and this juicy and tender pork roast.

When I want an easy dinner that I know the whole family will love, I turn to this crock pot pork roast. The meat comes out perfectly every time, and pairs so well with potatoes and a vegetable for a complete meal.

How do you make crock pot pork roast?

The first step is to season your pork roast and sear it on the stove top before placing it in the crock pot. If you’re short on time and don’t want to brown your pork first, you can place the meat directly into the slow cooker and skip the searing step. I think it’s really worth the additional time and effort because it adds a lot of extra flavor.

The pork goes into the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients including garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, chicken broth and herbs. This forms the base of the gravy. The gravy is thickened at the end of the cooking time. Add a sprinkle of parsley, then serve and enjoy.

How long should you cook pork in a crock pot?

Different cuts of pork take different amounts of time to cook. This recipe calls for a pork loin, which cooks for about 6-8 hours on low heat. If you want your pork to be tender enough to shred, cook it for 8 hours. You can cook the pork for about 6 hours if you’d prefer to cut the meat into slices. You can also use a pork shoulder or pork butt roast for this recipe. This cut of meat is naturally not as tender as pork loin, and therefore takes longer to cook. You should plan to cook a pork shoulder for 8-10 hours on low heat.

Tips for the perfect crock pot pork roast

I typically use a 6 quart round or oval crock pot as I’ve found it’s the right size to fit pork loin. If you have a smaller slow cooker, you can cut the pork into segments to fit into the pot.
This dish stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and can be frozen for 2 months.
You can add some vegetables such carrots and potatoes to the crock pot. Just be sure to cut them into large pieces so that they don’t get overly soft after the long cooking time. If you prefer firmer veggies, add them halfway through the cooking time.
Use leftover pork in a sandwich, on top of a salad or diced and put into soup.

Can you put raw pork in a slow cooker?

You can absolutely put raw pork in a slow cooker. Be sure that your meat is thawed before you place it in the crock pot. Frozen meat will take longer to come to a safe temperature and could pose a food safety risk.

How do you keep a pork roast from drying out in the crock pot?

The key to a tender and juicy pork roast is to make sure it’s at least halfway submerged in liquid as it cooks. It’s also important to place the roast fat side up in the pot. As the pork cooks, the fat will melt into the meat which will prevent it from getting dry.

Once you try this pork roast, you’ll find yourself making it on a regular basis. It’s easy enough for a busy weeknight, yet elegant enough to serve to company.

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