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I made this today and had it for supper… It was a total hit with 6/5 stars!! Thanks so much for the recipe.
lee
This post is a part of a Marzetti® ambassador program. It is sponsored by Marzetti and product (specifically the yummy balsamic dressing) has been provided by them.
Slow cooker pork in the crockpot is a totally foolproof win.
Exhibit A: I am not much a meat-maker, grill master, stew lady, whatever you want to call it. I just don’t really cook meat that much, but when I do, I do pork in the crockpot. Without fail, it turns out so delicious with a very minimal effort. As in, let’s go eat candy while this machine makes our house smell good. It’s a food cheating short cut that’s legal. And even recommended.
The idea for this recipe came from my obsession with the crockpot carnitas. Yeah, THOSE crockpot carnitas. They are so good, so simple, and they make for a very happy house at dinnertime. But sometimes you just don’t want Mexican food anymore, you know? Like after eating 900 million avocados, you say to yourself: gimme a different kind of food.
So this is my new go-to for those days when you want a crockpot pork meal with a very versatile, rich flavor and that classic perfectly golden crispy exterior. And it really does go with anything: with a baked sweet potato, with a rice pilaf, on a sandwich, over some mashed potatoes, or with some polenta. Yummy yummy good good.
For this pork recipe, I welcomed Marzetti® Simply Dressed® Balsamic Dressing to the party. I love it because
- It’s not overly balsamic-y. Let’s face it – straight up balsamic is sometimes really really strong. This dressing is just slightly creamy and much milder than traditional balsamic, while still kicking a teensy bit with that balsamic tang.
- It has a short, recognizable ingredient list. Simply Dressed. Get it?
- It has a flavor that works with lots of things, so you can use it to make crockpot pork and then drizzle your freshy-fresh salad with it the next day. Versatility, kids. It’s a good thing.
Alright, rule #1 of this crockpot pork. YOU MUST BROIL THE MEAT.
It would be such a shame if you cooked your pork in the crockpot all day and then just… ate it. Juicy and delicious? Yes. Beautifully golden brown and lightly crisped? No.
You would miss out on the most deliciously golden crispy bits of meat that get that sort of caramelized exterior and my mouth is watering as I type. This is THE THING that makes it for both texture and taste. Crockpot all day long, then broil just before serving.
Once you broil, just gaze upon the beauty. It really gives this otherwise homely looking shredded meat a nice lil makeover.
Pop some color on there with some fresh herbs. WHOA SNAP POP. It looks gorgeous and tastes deeelicious. If you’re looking for an extra kick of flavor (honey orange fans out there?) check the notes of the recipe. I left a secret there for you.
This is one of those recipes that you just kinda keep up your sleeve at all times. So hold tight and don’t let go. Pork in the crockpot is the way to go.
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Super Easy Slow Cooker Pork
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 9–12 1x
Description
This Super Easy Slow Cooker Pork goes with anything and can be made with a short ingredient list! Includes a trick for browning the meat to perfection.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. pork shoulder
- 1 cup soda (I used Sprite)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground oregano
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup Marzetti Simply Dressed Balsamic dressing
Instructions
- Place the pork, soda, garlic, chili powder, oregano, and Worcestershire sauce in the crockpot. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
- When the meat falls apart easily, shred it directly in the crockpot with two forks. Add the balsamic dressing and stir with the liquid in the crockpot. The meat should be saucy and moist.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees (or use the broil setting if you have that) and transfer the mixture to a baking sheet lined with foil. Spread it in an even, thin layer and cook in the preheated oven until the juices are bubbling and the edges are crispy, 10-15 minutes (less time if you have a broil setting).
- Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy on sandwiches, with a baked potato, or however else you want to enjoy it.
Notes
Notes: You can also whisk the juice of one orange and a spoonful of honey together and drizzle it over the meat before broiling for an extra flavorful browned exterior. Bjork wanted his “plain”, but I liked the tangy-sweet combo.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: slow cooker pork, crockpot pork, easy pork recipe
This post is sponsored by Marzetti®.
Looks like perfect Super Bowl food! Gotta try this one.
Only 900 million avocados you said? And I always thought of you as Billionaire avocado kind of girl…guess I was wrong 😉
And yes, pork + slow cooked = marriage made in heaven. You can’t go wrong with it!
Oh man, I have clearly been eating slower cooker pork the wrong way for MY WHOLE LIFE! I never knew about this broil the pork wizardry that you speak of! Crispy bits, juicy bits…I want all the bits of this pork. Thanks for the awesome tip!
Wizardry is the perfect word. 🙂
That honey-orange idea is amazing!!
This recipe sounds delish and easy. My problem is I purchased all the ingredients to make this except the Marzetti dressing. Do you recommend a substitute dressing to use? I can’t find this dressing anywhere in town. I looked online and even Amazon is out. Maybe Marzetti stopped making this particular dressing.
We haven’t tried this using another brand yet, but we think another balsamic dressing would work if you can’t find the Marzetti one.
I recently started broiling after slow cooking, and you’re right–it makes all the difference! Try slow cooker wings that have been broiled–perfection!
Yum – great idea!
What perfect looking slow cooker pork! Perfect for this weekend!!
Looks amazing! Getting ready to cook pork up for this weekend. Thanks for the tips!
Now this is my kind of food!! Totally want this for Sunday!
The crockpot and pork are soul mates. Thanks for bringing these two love birds together. I’m all over the broiling tip too!
This looks delicious, will definitely be trying this out for dinner next week.
Sound yummy!!! Is the orange juice combo used instead of the dressing or in additon to the dressing?
I was looking for the perfect pork recipe to use in carnitas, and I think I just found it! That broiling tip is clutch — thank you 🙂
Looks yamish! I have to try it!
Looks amazing & would be perfect to make on the weekend for many taco nights throughout the week!
Ooo. Love this. Pork in the crock pot ALWAYS works – and that broiling at the end? Excellent! Love it when you do these things! 😉
You’ve taught me so much about food photography, all I can think about is how long it must have taken you to style that platter of meat! Beautiful!
Thanks Lindsay! I pulled out the nice pretty pieces to arrange them on top, but it was a pretty quick shoot! Which is nice because lately it’s been taking me forever to get the photos how I want them… oh food. 🙂
Thanks for reminding us that a slow cooker can cook, but it can’t brown! A broiler is a must for getting that wonderful, brown, crispy exterior.
True that!
I cook with meat a little more than I wish to because my family loves it, but not too much pork. No idea why since I too am a huge carnitas lover! This pork sounds so good. Love the dressing!
Broiling brilliance! My goodness, this looks so delectable. I think you are my long lost best friend; I am not a meat cooker and I would always much rather go eat candy than stand and cook meat. Let’s meat someday, yes? Sorry sorry, couldn’t resist the pun! 😉 Have a great weekend, Lindsay!
hahahaha well played!
Looks like the perfect pressure cooker recipe. =)
Ha, no one else commenting seems to not “get this” so I’m likely being dense. You say “Preheat oven to 400 degrees…” – which doesn’t sound like the broiling function to me – but then follow that with “broil for 10-15 min.” Could you please clarify for me – is it a quick trip through a hot oven or is it literally under broiler? Thanks!
Sorry, yes. I just use the 400 degree oven to “broil”, because my oven doesn’t have a broil function. But use the broil if you have it and just watch it (less time needed).
Sarah – I cooked mine in oven too as I didn’t know how to operate my daughter in laws grill inside her oven (or broiler as it is called in USA) It turned out just fine, I also squeezed half an orange over it before putting into oven.
Got to get myself a crockpot! 😉
Great idea on the broiling. That could fix several recipes that I have. Flavor is aways good, but the texture needs some help. Thanks!
It makes all the difference! Thanks for the comment Mark!
This looks perfect to fight off my January Blues…
(Wait? Is it February already?) 😉
I KNOW. What happened.
This looks amazing! Question for you, though.. I can’t do soda. Could I substitute a beer in place, or any other ideas? I would sooo appreciate it!
Yes! I think that would be delish – that’s what I do for the carnitas. I would use a lighter beer but that’s just cause I like lighter beer. 🙂
Thanks Lindsay!