This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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.

slow cooker pork roast on a platter surrounded by carrots and onions.

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?!

ingredients for slow cooker pork roast on a table.

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

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!

prep steps for slow cooker pork roast: season the meat; sear in cast iron; place roast in slow cooker with carrots and onions; pour in the liquid.

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!

tips

  • Because of the long cooking time, start this recipe early in the morning, so it is ready for dinner later in the evening.
  • Cut the onions into thicker slices to cook more evenly with the pork, as it has a much longer cook time than most vegetables need.
  • The great thing about this easy recipe is that you can freeze it after cooking. That way, all you need to do is pop it into the slow cooker when you’re ready to start dinner for the family.
shredded pork roast on a platter with carrots.

Frequently asked questions

How should you serve pork pot roast?

This dish is incredibly versatile! Serve it the traditional way by pouring it over fluffy mashed potatoes or buttery rice and a side of veggies, like freshly baked green beans. Or get extra creative by making pork nachos, tacos, or quesadillas! 

Some other delicious serving methods include BBQ pulled pork sandwiches with golden toasted buns or adding it to soft egg noodles and topping the pork with savory gravy!

Do you have to brown the pork roast first?

No, searing the pork is not a required step in this recipe. However, I recommend browning it first so the outside is nice and crisp when you’re ready to dig in!

Can you make pork pot roast from frozen?

I wouldn’t recommend it. While it may be safe to cook smaller cuts of meat (like chicken breasts) from frozen in a slow cooker, a larger frozen roast will take longer to reach a temperature that prevents bacteria from growing. Be safe and thaw the meat overnight in the refrigerator instead.

Which cut of pork is best in a slow cooker?

For this recipe, I used a bone-in pork roast. It comes out so juicy and flavorful! 

However, you may also use tender pork loins for this crock pot recipe. Keep in mind that pork tenderloin is thinner and leaner, often yielding slightly dryer results.

a fork pulling apart meat on a slow cooker pork roast.

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.

Love this recipe? Bookmark it for the future!

Simply tap the heart symbol located in the lower right corner of your screen, and the recipe will be securely stored in your own recipe box.

shredded pork roast on a platter with carrots.

Slow Cooker Pork Roast

Slow Cooker Pork Roast is oh-so-tender, juicy, and packed with flavor! Cook the ingredients in your crock pot covered with apple cider– it is a unique ingredient that ties all the flavors together.
5 from 7 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 196 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 3 lb. pork roast
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 medium onions sliced and separated into rings
  • 1 ½ cups baby carrots
  • 7 cups apple cider

Instructions
 

  • Evenly sprinkle the pork roast on all sides with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Add the olive oil to a cast iron skillet and warm over medium high heat. Sear the pork roast in the hot oil for 2 minutes on all sides, until nicely browned.
  • Place the roast in the slow cooker and top with the onions and carrots. Pour in enough apple cider to cover the ingredients, about 7 to 8 cups.
  • Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

Notes

  • Cut the onions into thicker slices to cook more evenly with the pork, as it has a much longer cook time than most vegetables need.
  • To make gravy: Add water and cornstarch to a pan. Then, pour in the roast liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil and constantly stir until it’s thick and silky.

Nutrition

Calories: 196kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0.1mgSodium: 813mgPotassium: 419mgFiber: 2gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 4418IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 1mg

Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Keyword easy dinner, pork, pork roast, pork shoulder
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was.

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.

Sheila Thigpen, blogger

About Sheila Thigpen

Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Food Writer

Sheila Thigpen is the publisher of Life, Love, and Good Food — a Southern food blog — and the author of Easy Chicken Cookbook and The 5-Ingredient Fresh and Easy Cookbook. After 20+ years in the publishing industry, she retired in 2018 to focus on her own creative endeavors full time. She and her husband live near the beautiful Smoky Mountains and have a precious little granddaughter who has stolen their hearts. As an influencer, Sheila has collaborated with brands like Creamette, Kroger, HERSHEY’S, Hamilton Beach, Garafalo Pasta, OXO, Smithfield, Valley Fig Growers, and more.

6 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Oh yum, yummy, yum-yum! I had an old recipe that used apple cider with the pork and lost it! Thank you for this recipe, I’m running to the store to make it now. I KNOW it will be simply amazing!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating