Slow Cooker Pork Roast made with simple ingredients, ready to cook in minutes! Fall-apart tender pork with a flavorful gravy on top make this crock pot pork recipe amazing. Now with Instant Pot instructions!
Crock Pot Pork Roast made with broth, balsamic vinegar for a great boost of flavor, soy sauce, honey and garlic. This crock pot pork dinner goes together in minutes and is made in your slow cooker or Instant Pot. The gravy is made with the juice that cooks off the roast too. It’s moist and flavorful and perfect for a family dinner or entertaining guests. Updated with nutrition information!
Easy Slow Cooker Pork dinner
Today I’m bringing you a delicious dinner that cooks to perfection in the crockpot! Don’t you love meals like that? I know I do. Just a handful of ingredients and you can practically forget about it. I served this pork roast with brown rice and a side of green beans. Healthy, easy to make and minimal effort. I’ve used bone-in pork roast as well as boneless pork roasts and I think they’re both amazing. I tend to use the boneless variety more often because I buy them in bulk at Costco.
How long does it take to slow cook pork?
When you cook a pork roast in a slow cooker, how long you cook it for depends on how large your roast is. I use a small 3-4 pound boneless pork roast for this recipe and I like to cook it in a slow cooker on LOW for 10-12 hours. You can cook it on HIGH for 6-8 hours, but I think the texture and flavor is better when you cook it on low.
I cook this Pork Roast recipe in a 4.5 quart basic crock pot. (Basic but so pretty!)
Can I make Pork Roast in an Instant Pot?
Yes! I’ve also begun making this in my Instant Pot and it’s AMAZING. It’s quite a bit faster than using a Slow Cooker (it takes about 2 hours total!) and I think I like the results even more! I use a small, 2-lb Pork Sirloin Tip Roast from Costco and add the remaining ingredients. It’s fall apart tender and so flavorful! Instant Pot instructions included below- I’ve even made it in my baby 3-qt Instant Pot with great success! Scroll down to find the full instructions.
Slow Cooker Pork Roast Recipe ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this recipe:
— PORK ROAST: You’ll need a 3-4 lb pork roast of any type, really. Sometimes I use a boneless pork roast from Costco. Other times I use a larger, bone-in roast from the grocery store. Both work well! If you do use a bone-in roast, it can be larger, because of course, the bone has some weight.
— BROTH: You’ll add 1 cup broth to the slow cooker. My favorite to use is chicken broth, but you can use vegetable broth if you prefer.
— FLAVOR: To add flavor, we use 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2-4 TBSP honey and 2 tsp minced garlic. Feel free to adjust to your liking, using more honey or less depending if you like sweeter recipes or not.
— THICKENING AGENT: To thicken the gravy, we use 2 tsp cornstarch at the end of the recipe.
How to make this Crock Pot Pork Roast recipe
First I spray my crock pot with non stick spray. Place your boneless pork roast in your crock pot.
Measure all of the remaining ingredients except the cornstarch in a 2 cup measuring cup. I prefer to use chicken broth, but you can also use vegetable broth or even beef broth if you’d like.
Whisk the sauce ingredients and then pour over the pork roast. Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on high for 6-8 hours or low for 10-12 hours.
When the roast is done, strain out about 1/4 cup of the liquid into a separate bowl and stir the cornstarch into that liquid.
Add about 1/2 cup additional juice from the crockpot and microwave for about 1 minute. Taste the gravy and add water as needed.
Use tongs to pull the pork roast out from the crockpot and onto a serving plate. I like to shred the roast and drizzle some gravy on and serve with additional gravy.
How do you cook a Pork Roast in an Instant Pot?
Place Pork Roast roast in Instant Pot. Combine remaining ingredients (except cornstarch) in a small bowl, increasing broth from 1 cup to 1 1/2 cups. Whisk together and pour over roast.
Lock lid on and set Instant Pot to Manual High Pressure for 65 minutes (for a 2-lb Sirloin Tip Roast that was fall-apart tender. Add 10 minutes per additional pound of pork roast.)
When timer beeps, let it Natural Pressure Release.
Remove lid and ladle out about 1/4 cup of the juice and strain into a measuring cup.
Whisk in 2 tsp cornstarch. Add in additional juice to make 1 cup.
Microwave on high for 30 seconds and whisk again. Drizzle sauce over meat prior to serving.
Can I use a pork loin roast in place of a pork roast in this slow cooker recipe?
Pork loin comes from a different section of the pig as a pork roast does. It’s a longer, thinner piece of meat and it’s very tender. I think the flavors in this recipe would work beautifully for a pork loin, I’d just decrease the cooking time to 4-5 hours.
How to make pork roast gravy
This recipe includes broth, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, honey and garlic not only to flavor the pork, but also to make a delicious base for gravy! Prior to serving, ladle out about 1/4 cup of the juice in the crock pot and strain into a measuring cup. I like to strain it to remove all the bits and pieces the pork meat gives off as it cooks. It’s not necessary, but I like to have a smooth gravy. Whisk in 2 tsp cornstarch. Add in enough juice to make 1 cup. Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent.Microwave on high for 30 seconds and whisk again. Drizzle sauce over meat prior to serving.
You can use flour if you’d prefer, but I’d switch to heating the gravy in a small saucepan on the stove (instead of using the microwave like the directions indicate) so that you can whisk continually to smooth out the flour lumps.
Slow Cooker Pork Roast
Ingredients
- 2-4 lb pork roast
- 1 cup broth
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2-4 TBSP honey
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp cornstarch
Instructions
How to cook a pork roast in a slow cooker
- Place roast in slow cooker. Combine remaining ingredients (except cornstarch) in a 2-cup measuring cup. Whisk together and pour over roast.
- Cook on low 10-12 hours for that fall-apart, insanely tender type of meat. (Or on high 6-8 hours.)
- Prior to serving, ladle out about 1/4 cup of the juice in the crock pot and strain into a measuring cup.
- Whisk in 2 tsp cornstarch. Add in enough juice to make 1 cup.
- Microwave on high for 30 seconds and whisk again. Drizzle sauce over meat prior to serving.
How to cook a Pork Roast in an Instant Pot
- Place Pork Roast roast in Instant Pot. Combine remaining ingredients (except cornstarch) in a small bowl, increasing broth from 1 cup to 1 1/2 cups. Whisk together and pour over roast.
- Lock lid on and set Instant Pot to Manual High Pressure for 65 minutes (for a 2-lb Sirloin Tip Roast that was fall-apart tender. Add 10 minutes per additional pound of pork roast.)
- When timer beeps, let it Natural Pressure Release.
- Remove lid and ladle out about 1/4 cup of the juice and strain into a measuring cup.
- Whisk in 2 tsp cornstarch. Add in additional juice to make 1 cup.
- Microwave on high for 30 seconds and whisk again. Drizzle sauce over meat prior to serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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What to serve with pork roast?
I like to serve this pork roast with other comfort food favorites like Alfredo Potatoes, fresh Buttermilk Bread or Creamy Parmesan Potatoes and Peas. Finish off with Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies for dessert!
Can I add vegetables to this pork roast recipe?
There is a lot of moist flavor in this recipe so I think adding vegetables is a great idea! I’d cut the vegetables in larger pieces and add them after the pork has been able to cook for a few hours. Vegetables like quartered potatoes (or whole baby red potatoes) and carrots would be fantastic. I also think adding chunks of cabbage would be delicious; I’d just add in a teaspoon of brown sugar to compensate for the bitter flavor that cabbage has. Have you added vegetables to this slow cooker pork roast recipe before? I’d love to hear what vegetables you added and how it turned out!
What broth do you cook a pork roast in?
Several people have asked what type of broth to use in this recipe. I really think you can use any broth you have on hand! Just to experiment, I’ve used chicken broth, beef broth and even vegetable broth. All were wonderful! The other flavors in the recipe are much stronger than the flavor of the broth, so even with the slight taste differences in each broth, the end results were very, very similar. I most often use chicken broth because I have that on hand in my pantry all the time.
Looking for more Pork recipes? Check these out:
- Best Pork Tenderloin Marinade recipe
- Sausage Potato Boat Recipe
- Easy Lil Smokies & Meatballs Recipe
- Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Recipe
- Crock Pot Ham Recipe
- Bacon Wrapped Meatballs Recipe
- Grilled Italian Sausage Recipe
- Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin Filet Recipe
- Sausage and Peppers Recipe
Crock Pot Pork Roast made with broth, balsamic vinegar for a great boost of flavor, soy sauce, honey and garlic. This crock pot pork goes together fast and is made in your slow cooker. The gravy is made with the juice that cooks off the roast too. It’s moist and flavorful and perfect for a family dinner or entertaining guests.
Vi says
I made this today and it is wonderful! Hubby ate it with potatoes & corn. I put some on a bun with Swiss cheese and raspberry mustard, sooooo yummy! Will make this frequently, thank you so much for sharing.
Jessica says
You’re most welcome Vi! And hello, raspberry mustard?! I need to get me some of that!! YUM.
Kathleen Connelly says
Hi should I baste this while it is cooking? Thanks!
Jessica says
No basting required! Enjoy!
Laura Dziadyk says
It’s in my slow cooker as we speak! I’ll letyou know! ! I only had a bone in Roast on hand but had all the ingredients. I used chicken broth cause I had one on hand. COoking on slow for 10 hours.
Tammy says
This was delish and very easy… Made with low sodium chick broth and low sodium soy sauce. Just watching our salt intake. Thank you!
Had one problem which had nothing to do with the recipe. Hopefully someone can help. I live at high altitude and still haven’t learned how/when/what to adjust. I used the 10 hour setting on the slow cooker, figuring lower temp with longer cooking time – which works great at sea level. Is there a guideline for reducing the time even though it says 10 hours/low temp? It doesn’t matter what it is pork, beef, chicken, same results. I have 2 slow cookers same results. Everything is very well done. The oven is just the opposite – everything cooks much slower and requires higher heat. Thank you!
Jessie says
I put the cornstarch in with it all, is it going to come put wrong, should I start over?
Nellie says
The consistency might be a little different, but I wouldn’t waste all of the ingredients. Hopefully it turns out just fine!
Kelly says
Hi! I’m making this right now!! Does it not need salt and pepper??
Alison says
Nope! If you just add the ingredients listed you will be all set!
Marybeth says
If I use a pork loin of 4lbs. Do I cook it for 4-5 hours on low or high in slo cooker
Thanks for your help
Alison says
Marybeth, in that case I would cook it on low!
Robin says
Delicious!!! Made this for a potluck and it was enjoyed by all. The only change I made was, I poured juices into a pot and made a gravy using flour and then pulled the very tender pork apart and added gravy back to the meat until desired consistency and people enjoyed pulled pork on buns or rice or potatoes
Nellie says
Robin – what a great idea to use on buns or over rice and potatoes! I’ll have to try that next time!
Alison says
Robin, Sounds fantastic! I am so glad you and your guests could enjoy it!
Lauren says
Easy recipe that turned out absolutely divine. Thank you!
Jessica says
So glad you liked it!
Bill Lanning says
Just finished my first attempt and, boy, is it good! Trying to surprise my wife, but the aroma of “yumminess” is all the way into the garage. I just have to stay out of it til she gets home. Good easy revipe with excellent results. Thanks!
Jessica says
So glad you liked it Bill!
Lori says
I added a cup of brown sugar, yummy
Nellie says
Lori – Love that idea! I’ll have to try that next time!
Wilhelmina Wessel says
This pork roast recipe is a keeper!!!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
The combination of balsamic, soy sauce and honey makes any meat super tasty!
Daphne Christensen says
It’s in my crockpot right now and I’m hoping to not fail (I’m super challenged in the kitchen). I have a 4.5lb pork roast, set for ten hours on low. Hoping it all works out!
Alison says
Daphne, I hope everything worked out and you were able to enjoy a delicious meal!
Barbara says
This sounds wonderful! I’m defrosting a 3 lb pork shoulder roast right now to try this recipe in my instant pot. I’m not sure if I should brown it first? It’s not mentioned, but it usually enhances the flavor. I will do 75 min. as per your recommendation.
Jessica says
You’re welcome to brown it Barbara, but this pork roast has quite a bit of flavor already, so it’s not necessary!
Lisa says
I have a 1.8 lb pork roast and this recipe sounds great. Any guess on time adjustments for the smaller amount of meat? Thanks in advance!
Jessica says
I’d reduce the cooking time by half Lisa!
Wendy says
What turns out better, using chicken or beef broth?
Alison says
Wendy, My favorite is chicken but beef still works great!
Fredrick says
Should I brown the meat first?
Jessica says
You don’t have to Fredrick! I never do and it turns out wonderful.
wendysue says
i made this and allowed it to cook on low for 12 hours, it was moist and tender, me and hubby loved it!
Alison says
Wendysue, I’m so glad you and your husband enjoyed this!
Jon Stiening says
Just made this tonight a short time ago. Very Good taste; simple recipe with a minimal amount of ingredients required. I used a bone-in approximately 4lb pork roast and cooked it in my slow-cooker for 5 hours on high then turned it to low for an hour. After the total cook time of 6 hours, the meat easily fell off the bone which I removed and left the meat stay warm/cook in the juices until the mashed potatoes were ready and people were ready to eat. It turned out very tender and juicy. I used some of the quite adequate quantity of cooking juices to make gravy which was served with the meat as well as gravy for the mashed potatoes. I left out onion/garlic. Was plenty enough to serve 3 people, my pup and still have leftovers. Thanks for the recipe.
Alison says
Jon, So glad to hear this recipe worked out for you and your guests! Thank you for sharing!