How long to cook pork roast in slow cooker

This post may contain affiliate links.

Sweet, tangy balsamic vinegar, rich brown sugar, a few herbs and spices covering a lean pork roast, all cooked low and slow for a few hours make a main dish masterpiece.  Served with your favorite sides, you’ll soon be saying – yes, more, please!

Whether you’re making my Crock Pot Chicken Thighs or Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef, you’ll love the deep, rich flavors produced by cooking food low and slow. This Pork Roast has those same flavors and more!

Updated on 11/5/2021

How long to cook pork roast in slow cooker
How long to cook pork roast in slow cooker

Last week, while doing an early morning grocery run, I came across a great buy on pork roast.  I snatched up a couple and decided to cook one that day.  I had an idea of what I wanted the end result to be regarding flavors and opted for the slow cooking method since I had a busy day ahead of me.

After a few hours of cooking, my kitchen was full of great aromas, and it was time to get working on my glaze.  Since I’m a big fan of balsamic vinegar, I knew it would be one of my ingredients. With the addition of brown sugar and soy sauce, I’d put together the best glaze ever and the result was ah-maz-ing!

How long to cook pork roast in slow cooker

Ingredients For This Recipe

  • Pork Roast
  • Onions
  • Vegetable Stock
  • Garlic Powder
  • Dried Thyme
  • Brown Sugar
  • Soy Sauce
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Kosher Salt
  • Fresh Cracked

Equipment I Use For This Recipe

To cook the pork roast, I use an 8-quart slow cooker. I also use a heavy bottom saucepan to make the sauce.

How long to cook pork roast in slow cooker

What Makes This Recipe To Delicious?

The ultimate success of this dish comes by putting the roast in the oven for glazing. Here’s how to make the glaze:

  • 30 minutes before the roast is done, mix together brown sugar, water, soy sauce and balsamic vinegar in a small pot.
  • On medium low heat, bring mixture to a simmer. Reduce by about 1/3 or until slightly thick.
  • Set glaze aside.
How long to cook pork roast in slow cooker

How Long Do I Cook The Pork Roast?

You can cook this recipe either on low or high in the crock pot.

  • On LOW – 6 to 7 hours
  • On HIGH – 4 to 5 hours

How To Store Leftovers

Store any leftover in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This recipe also freezes well. Place the leftover pork along with the glaze in a freezer safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.

How long to cook pork roast in slow cooker

What To Serve With Balsamic Brown Sugar Pork Roast

Now comes the good part. Serving this delicious roast! This easy-to-prepare main dish is great for Sunday Supper and perfect when you are entertaining. But remember, it’s a set it and forget it recipe, so it’s ideal for a weeknight meal.

  • I like to serve glazed pork roast with Scalloped Potatoes and Roasted Broccoli. This is the ultimate in simple yet elegant home cooking.
  • This roast makes a great addition to a Thanksgiving buffet. It’s terrific served with Roasted Butternut Squash With Bacon, Green Beans and Skillet Cinnamon Apples.
  • For a family weeknight meal, serve the slow cooked pork roast with Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes and Broccoli Cauliflower Salad.
How long to cook pork roast in slow cooker

More Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love!

  • Crock Pot Vegetable Beef Soup
  • Crock Pot Bourbon Meatballs
  • Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan
  • Slow Cooker Busy Day Pot Roast
  • Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken Sliders
How long to cook pork roast in slow cooker

Last But Not Least…

I love hearing from you, so please leave a rating and a comment if you don’t mind. And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and tag me with a photo.

How long to cook pork roast in slow cooker

  • 2-3 pound pork roast
  • 1 medium onion – sliced
  • 3/4 cup stock – vegetable or chicken
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoon soy sauce

  • Layer sliced onion in the bottom of the slow cooker. Place pork roast on top of onions.

  • Mix together salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme – sprinkle on the roast.

  • Pour stock carefully around the side of the roast.

  • Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours, or high for 4-5.

  • 30 minutes before the roast is done, mix together brown sugar, water, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar in a small pot. On medium-low heat, bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce by about 1/3 or until slightly thick. Set glaze aside.

  • When roast is done, take out of slow cooker and place in a roasting pan.

  • Heat oven to 450 degrees.

  • Pour 1/3 of the glaze over the roast and place in the oven. Continue to glaze roast every 5 minutes until glaze is used up.

  • Take roast out of oven, loosely tent with foil and let rest for 10 minutes.

  • Slice or shred with a fork. Serve with extra drippings.

Want To Know More About Slow Cooking?

If you are new to cooking with a Crock Pot or just don’t know where to start, I’ve got something to help. I’ve put together a helpful guide with tips and recipes to get you using a slow cooker like a pro!

How To Get Started With Slow Cooking

How long to cook pork roast in slow cooker

Comfort Food With A Twist

Recipes, Tips And Secret Ingredients

How long does pork take in the slow cooker?

How long to cook a pork roast in the slow cooker – for pork loin, 4 to 5 hours on low for tender, juicy perfection. Pork shoulder needs to be cooked for 10 hours on low for a 1.5 – 2.5kg / 3 – 5 lb pork roast. Shoulder is a tougher cut of pork so it requires a longer cook time to break down the fibres and fat.

How long do you slow cook a pork roast per pound?

On LOW you should cook the roast for 2 hours per pound and on HIGH 1 hour per pound + 1 hour. Just make sure your roast has an internal temperature of 145 degrees F tested with a meat thermometer.

Is it better to slow cook pork on low or high?

Keep the cooker set to low; the high setting will boil the meat instead of braise it, so it's only a quicker trip to an undesirable outcome. Pork shoulder self-bastes and stays moist, and is nearly impossible to overcook. After the meat is done, the fat can be skimmed off the braising liquid.

Can you overcook a pork roast in a slow cooker?

It is difficult to overcook a roast in the slow cooker. Roasts do well the longer they cook, because they become more tender over time. With the added broth in the slow cooker, your pork should not turn out dry.