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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®.
Can you make this with pork butt instead of pork shoulder?
Yes you can! Enjoy!
I can’t wait to make for my camping trip for a large group! Will it still work to reheat even after browning under the broiler?
I’ve been making pulled pork in the slow cooker for years, and this is by far the easiest and most flavourful recipe. I use 1 cup bbq sauce instead of the balsamic dressing. Broiling the shredded pork after is key. The crispy bits are delicious! Husband and toddler approved too. I don’t know if I’ve ever made a POY recipe I didn’t like. This site is always my go to.
Aargh! So excited to make this and yet sooo tired as I am popping it into the crockpot for the night. I added the balsamic now :[] Will it be awful?
Hi Julia! Adding the balsamic in the beginning is just fine too!
Hi! What would I do differently to make this in the instant pot?
Thanks!
Hi, Anin! Here a video that explains how to do pork in the Instant Pot. 😊 It’s a different recipe, but it should be the same cook time.
Can’t wait to make this – so far I’ve LOVED all of your recipes we’ve tried 🥰. I’m curious what the cook time for this would be in the instant pot??
Looks amazing, I tend to sear my pork in a large skillet on all sides before finishing it in the slow cooker.
How would I convert this to cooking in a toaster oven? Can it be made ahead and do you think it would re- warm well? Thank YOU!
Hi Lindsay do you know if you can buy the Marzetti Simply Dressed Balsamic dressing in Australia I can’t find any sort of equivalent or even a recipe
I don’t keep soda at the house – is there something I could substitute for the Sprite? Thanks!
I’d just substitute another liquid like broth or water. 🙂
This has to be my absolute fav slow cooker pulled pork recipe. I seem to adjust it each time depending on what’s available and it always turns out delightfully yummy, it is failsafe! Substituted Tonic Water for the Sprite ( one less gin and tonic for me this festive season) used garlic Aioli mixed with roasted garlic Balsamic dressing. Then loaded the finished product onto fresh bread for a quick summer evening snack.
My friend popped in whilst I was cooking it in slow cooker and followed the aroma to the kitchen! Thanks again Lindsay for a great tasty recipe.
So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Crockpot meals are often just “so-so” but yours are outstanding! Love this recipe – it is delicious every.single.time. Broiling the meat for a few minutes before serving = genius!
We love hearing that! Thanks for the comment. 🙂
i have this in the crockpot right now and it should be done in a couple of hours…however, i was looking at this again and i realized i dumped the balsamic in at the same time as everything else! do you think i ruined it?
I don’t think so – usually crockpot recipes are pretty forgiving. I would just taste and adjust as necessary when the pork is done cooking.
Lindsay … do you think the juices will reduce down to a sauce? Or will the oil in the vinaigrette break it? Making this tonight with rice and wondering what my luck will be with a sauce. Thank you!
I can’t have Worcestershire sauce. Can you suggest a substitute? Thanks!
Just made this tonight with some boneless country ribs I had languishing in the freezer and used Paul Newman’s Balsamic vinaigrette because that’s what I had on hand. Otherwise followed the recipe. Oh my goodness!!!! I’m standing in my kitchen just eating fork fulls straight from the pan…it’s SO delicious!!! Somebody please stop me before I eat the whole pan!!!!
Love this recipe. It’s going in my book. Love your blog, too, by the way, and can’t wait to try more of your recipes. 🙂
Thanks Barbara! Glad to hear it!
Great recipe idea! Sometimes I want something other than BBQ. (No offense BBQ, I love you, too.) Thanks to the other reader who used root beer. I prefer and have root beer on hand so will do that. Question: spoonful of honey… teaspoon or tablespoon? Oh and MARZETTI: This girl is a good ambassador. I’d never heard of your Simply Dressed line, took a look at your page and will most definitely try out at least four of your other Simply Dressed items. That solves two other problems: removing preservatives, etc. and finding a good blue cheese dressing. Glad I clicked on this page today, Lindsay.
Thanks for posting- what a great idea to broil instead of fry the meat before serving to make it crispy.
Can’t find the SD Balsamic dressing in my neck of the woods, and love a balsamic flavor – any substitution ideas?
I enjoy your recipes.
Thanks so much for the tip on broiling the pulled pork. I started doing that for carnitas when posted about that some time back, but I forgot about it. It’s the little stuff that can make food outstanding.
Made this for dinner tonight! I did not have chili powder so I used cayenne pepper. It turned out great, except next time I think I will check it while it’s in the oven mix it around and let it stay in there for a little bit longer. Mine was still a little juicy when I took it out of the oven – I would have preferred it like the picture. Served w baked potatoes and sautéed spinach! Thanks for the great recipe 🙂
Sounds great! Thanks Daniela!
Hi! I just got all the ingredients for this to make right now! I have a bone-in 6 lb shoulder — will either of those things affect the cooking time? And I was just going to double the ingredients — does that sound about right? Thanks! Can’t wait to make this and then do the carnitas tamale pie with leftovers 🙂
Nope – I use bone in sometimes and as long as the meat fits comfortably in the crockpot I think it’s fine. Double sounds good… maybe even be a little extra generous even with the doubling. 🙂
Thank you for the reply! Just had to give you an update that it turned out great! SOOO tasty. I used Fresca as my soda and you can taste it in there, but not in a bad way 🙂 We ended up making quesadillas with the meat and I also made the carnitas tamale pie (which we haven’t tried yet — way too full!). Very happy I found this link in Pinterest. Currently browsing your blog for more ideas. Thank you 🙂
great! thanks Elaine!
Made it tonight and loved it! This is the third recipe I have made of yours and I have loved them all! Thanks for making my life a little easier!
Thanks Lindsay for sharing this great easy, yet tasty recipe. Have always wanted to try pulled pork but just never got around to it.
However I am currently visiting my son and his American wife in Broken Hill in outback Australia where temps are hitting 110F. I was able to put this in slow cooker and go off to the Aquatic Centre to cool down! Although unable to buy that particular dressing here in Oz, I substituted half a cup of Honey Mustard & Macadamia dressing with half a cup of Balsalmic Vinegar & Olive oil dressing. A complete hit with all, including the littlies and daughter in law said it definitely brought back memories of home ( N.Carolina) which she left 17 yrs ago.
Will be making this again as soon as I get back to Sydney. A definite winner!
How fun! Thanks for the comment! And glad you were able to stay cool while it cooked away.
Another Pinterest devotee here. I tried this last night for a dinner party. It was AMAZING. I never follow a recipe to the “T” so I did my own spice combo and used root beer instead (I know it’s obnoxious, so sorry.) I promise I don’t work for Marzetti, but that balsamic business was divine. The broiling tip, why in the hizzity-ell haven’t I tried that in the past? This dish was a huge success, so thanks for that!!!!
Thanks CC! Glad you liked it! And yes to the root beer. I would have used that too, except all I had on hand was Sprite. 🙂
I have a similar recipe I make and use my Nesco roaster – you can use it as a slow cooker, then at the end I crank it up to 400 and cook for another 20 minutes – it’s THE best part!
going to try this recipe the next time we make it
Nesco! I need one.