Slow Cooker Pork Roast

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Slow Cooker Pork Roast is oh-so-tender, juicy, and packed with flavor! You’d be surprised at how simple the ingredient list is — all this savory pork roast needs is salt, pepper, garlic powder, and veggies. Cook the ingredients in your crock pot covered with apple cider — it is a unique ingredient that ties all the flavors together.

Let’s be honest here. One of my favorite things about this easy recipe is how amazing it smells as it cooks.

Every time I make my slow cooker pork roast, the home fills with the sweet and savory aroma and lures my whole family into the kitchen. It’s one of my many secrets to getting the family together on those busy and often stressful weeknights.

This savory and tender slow-cooker pork roast is one of my go-to recipes for the post-holiday season — it’s comforting and filling but super simple to make!

For more slow cooker recipes to celebrate National Slow Cooking Month, try my Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken, this savory Tuscan White Bean Soup from Nourish and Nestle, and cheesy Crockpot Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole by The Fresh Cooky. Are you hungry yet?!

Key ingredients & substitutions for Easy Crock Pot Pork Roast Recipe

• Pork roast | Use your favorite cut of pork for this delicious and simple recipe. Try pork belly, tenderloin, or shoulder. Note that it makes a world of difference when you use a quality roast because it’s the star of the show!
• Seasonings | Season the roast with the basics, like kosher salt and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper. Add garlic powder to bring more flavor to the pork. If necessary, you may use minced garlic or onion powder in its place.
• Olive oil | A little olive oil will help the roast not stick to the skillet when searing. Olive oil is best, but you may use another high-heat oil if you prefer.

• Onions | Add flavor to the roast as it cooks by slicing a couple of onions and separating the rings — YUM! 
• Baby carrots | Baby carrots require no prep and are the perfect size for this crock pot recipe. Also, you may use whole carrots and chop them into smaller pieces.
• Apple cider | Some pork roast recipes call for water or chicken broth as a liquid base. While you may use either of these typical options, I highly recommend covering the ingredients with tangy and sweet apple cider — it compliments the savory pork so well!

Equipment needed

• Slow Cooker
• Cast Iron Skillet

How to make The Best Slow Cooker Pork Roast 

This recipe is so easy to put together — just season, sear, and let the slow cooker do the rest!

STEP 1 | Season the roast

Before you step away for a few hours and let the crock pot do its thing, you’ll need to prepare the roast.

Start by sprinkling the pork roast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder on all sides. Be sure to create a nice and even layer of seasoning all over the roast.

STEP 2 | Brown the pork roast

Now, set a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and pour in some olive oil so the roast doesn’t stick to the bottom. Then, sear the pork roast in hot oil.

Allow the pork to brown for about 2 minutes on all sides. Your pork roast is ready for the slow cooker once the entire surface is a nice golden brown color.

STEP 3 | Add the ingredients to the crock pot

Next, prep the veggies by slicing the onions and separating the rings. Carefully set the seared roast in the slow cooker and top it with the sliced onions and whole baby carrots.

Then, pour in the apple cider. You’ll need about 7 to 8 cups or enough to cover the roast and other tasty ingredients.

STEP 4 | Cover, cook, and serve!

Finally, cover the crock pot with a fitting lid and set the temperature to low. For the next 8 to 10 hours, allow the pork roast to cook with the veggies and apple cider.

Once the pork roast is ready to serve, pour it on top of buttery mashed potatoes or simple white rice and ENJOY!

Frequently asked questions

Toppings

To put this tasty and cozy pork roast over the top, smother it with gravy when ready to serve!

All you need to do is add water and cornstarch to a pan. Then, pour in the roast liquid. Finally, bring the mixture to a boil and constantly stir until it’s thick and silky. Now you have the perfect gravy to pour over this juicy and tender roast! So easy, right?

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve your crock pot pork roast. Try keeping it simple by presenting the meal with homemade bread and a crisp and refreshing side salad.

Check out my Quick 3-Ingredient Dinner Rolls or these Ricotta-Herb Savory Scones, perfect for soaking up the creamy gravy or savory pork juices!

You may also serve the roast on pasta, rice, or potatoes, like my yummy Lemon Garlic Smashed Potatoes. And if you’re searching for another delicious side, try my effortless Instant Pot Green Beans recipe.

Beyond the recipe

Slow cookers may be relatively new to the culinary world, but slow-cooked meat certainly isn’t.

Before these convenient appliances made it to the market, immigrants from Germany were tenderizing meats with a similar method of roasting on lower heat for a longer period.

It was an inexpensive and almost effortless way to feed large working families during the chilly winters. And it didn’t take long for Americans to fall in love with this easy and fool-proof way of cooking large cuts of meat, whether beef, pork, or poultry.