Easy Homestyle Crock Pot Pork Shoulder Roast Recipe
When you’re craving a hearty, no-fuss meal that tastes like it’s been cooking all day in Grandma’s kitchen, this Easy Homestyle Crock Pot Pork Shoulder Roast Recipe is just the thing.
With only a handful of simple ingredients, this pork shoulder slow cooks until it’s fork-tender in a flavorful broth filled with onions, aromatics, and just the right amount of seasoning. The addition of a gravy packet makes things extra easy and gives you that rich, savory gravy everyone loves.
This is the kind of comfort food that feels right at home on a Sunday supper table or any busy weeknight when you want something warm and filling without spending hours in the kitchen. Serve this tender pork roast over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes and let that homemade-style gravy soak in—it’s pure Southern comfort in every bite.
Whether you’re feeding the family or planning ahead for leftovers, this slow cooker pork shoulder is one recipe you’ll come back to again and again. So heat up your Crock Pot and let’s get to cooking, y’all!”
Why You’ll Love This Recipe


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- Simple, pantry-friendly ingredients – No fancy items here. Everything is easy to find and likely already in your kitchen.
- Hands-off slow cooker meal – Let the Crock Pot do the work while you go about your day.
- Fork-tender, flavorful pork – Slow cooking turns pork shoulder into melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
- Rich homestyle gravy – The gravy packet blends with the broth and aromatics for a savory, comforting sauce.
- Perfect comfort food – Served over creamy mashed potatoes, this meal feels like a warm hug on a plate.
- Great for busy days or Sunday supper – Ideal for weeknights, weekends, or when you’re feeding a hungry family.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully – Even better the next day, making it perfect for meal planning.

Kitchen Tools Needed
Slow Cooker / Crock Pot (6–8 quart recommended)
Measuring cups and spoons
Sharp kitchen knife (for slicing onions and trimming pork)
Cutting board
Mixing bowl (for combining gravy mix and broth, if needed)
Whisk or fork (to smooth out the gravy packet)
Tongs (for lifting and serving the pork roast)
Serving platter or large bowl
Ladle (for spooning gravy over the pork and mashed potatoes)
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy Crock Pot pork shoulder roast:
- Boston Butt Pork Roast
- Kosher Salt
- Cracked Black Pepper
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Creole Seasoning – I use Tony Chachere’s
- Onion
- Celery
- Carrots
- Chicken Stock
- Pork Gravy Mix – recommend McCormick

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Pork Butt

- Choose the right size roast – Choose the right size roast – A 3–5 pound pork shoulder works great for most Crock Pots and feeds a family with leftovers, but I used a 6-pound roast here—just be sure your slow cooker is large enough.
- Trim excess fat, but don’t remove it all – A little fat adds flavor and keeps the pork moist.
- Layer onions and other veggies on the bottom – This prevents sticking and adds extra flavor to the gravy.
- Don’t lift the lid – Every peek lets heat escape and can add extra cooking time.
- Let the pork rest – Allow the roast to sit for about 10 minutes before slicing or shredding so it stays juicy.
- Taste the gravy before serving – Adjust with salt and pepper if needed after cooking. This doesn’t make a thick gravy, but you can thicken it up to suit your taste if preferred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is! Pork butt (also called Boston butt) actually comes from the upper part of the shoulder. It’s well-marbled with fat, which makes it ideal for slow cooking. That fat melts down during cooking, giving you tender, juicy pork and lots of flavor.
Nope—this recipe is meant to be easy and fuss-free. You can brown the pork if you’d like a deeper flavor, but it’s not necessary. The slow cooker, broth, aromatics, and gravy mix do all the heavy lifting.
Absolutely. Cooking on LOW for 8–10 hours is actually preferred if you have the time. It results in extra tender, fall-apart pork. If you’re short on time, HIGH for 5–6 hours will still give you great results.
How to Make Crock Pot Pork Shoulder Roast

Making this Crock Pot pork shoulder roast couldn’t be easier—just a few simple steps and your slow cooker does the rest.
Tip: Preheat your slow cooker. Cover the crockery with the lid and set to high to preheat while you prep your ingredients.
Begin by trimming of any excess fat. The way this pork is to be served you do not need a lot of excess fat.
Next, season the meat. Generously apply the seasoning blend to all sides of the pork shoulder.
The next step is to arrange your onion, celery, and carrots on the bottom of the crockery. Then, sprinkle the pork gravy mix packet over the vegetables and add the chicken stock. Give a stir to combine the gravy mix into the liquid.

Place the seasoned pork roast on top of the vegetable and gravy mixture. Cover the crockery with the lid and reduce to the low setting. Cook for 8-10 hours or until tender.

Carefully remove the pork roast from the crockery to shred with a fork, or slice it up, whatever you prefer. Then, add the meat back to the crockery with the vegetable and gravy mixture.
The gravy will be flavorful and can be adjusted if needed if you like a thicker gravy by adding an extra gravy packet or a cornstarch slurry (add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to a quarter cup of cold water, stir, then add to the crockery gravy mix and combine).
Serve your tender pork, vegetable and gravy over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes for a comfort food meal that is sure to please.
Recipe Variations to Try
- Garlic & Herb Pork Roast: Add extra minced garlic along with dried rosemary or thyme for a more herb-forward flavor.
- Onion Mushroom Gravy Version: Stir in sliced mushrooms during the last 2–3 hours of cooking for a rich, hearty gravy.
- Creamy Pork Shoulder Roast: Add ½ cup sour cream or cream cheese at the end of cooking and stir into the gravy until smooth and creamy.
- Low-Sodium Option: Use low-sodium broth and a reduced-sodium gravy packet to better control salt levels.
- Pulled Pork Style: Shred the pork and serve it as a pulled pork style dish over mashed potatoes, rice, or even sandwich buns.
What to Serve with Pork Shoulder Roast?
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes – A must for soaking up all that rich gravy. If you’re doing the lower carb thing, try my cauliflower mash with horseradish.
- Southern Green Beans – Slow-cooked with a little bacon or ham for extra flavor.
- Buttermilk Cornbread, Homemade Biscuits, or Cornbread Muffins – Perfect for sopping up gravy.
- Tender Carrots – cooked nice and slow right along with the pork roast. I highly recommend the carrots.
- Pickles or Chow Chow – Adds a little tang to the plate.
Serving Tip
This pork roast makes a wonderful Sunday supper or holiday-style meal. Set it out family-style with mashed potatoes in the center and let everyone help themselves—just the way we do it in the South.
If you enjoy cooking with pork, be sure to check out my panko parmesan baked pork chop recipe – it is a reader favorite!
Printable Recipe Card

Below is the printable recipe card where you’ll find all of the exact measurements and instructions.
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Easy Crock Pot Pork Shoulder Roast Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 pound Boston Butt Pork Roast excess fat removed if needed
- 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Cracked Black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Creole Seasoning Tony Chachere’s
- 1 Medium Onion diced
- 1 cup Celery diced (about 3 ribs)
- 5 medium/large Carrots cut into chunks
- 2 cups Chicken Stock
- 0.87 ounce Pork Gravy Mix Packet McCormick
Instructions
Preheat the Slow Cooker
- Optional Tip: Preheat the slow cooker on high while you prep the ingredients
Prepare the slow cooker
- Lightly spray or grease a large (6–8 quart) Crock Pot. Add the diced onion, celery, and carrots evenly across the bottom.
Add the gravy and broth
- Sprinkle the gravy packet contents over the vegetables, then add the chicken stock and stir to combine.
Season the pork roast
- Pat the pork roast dry with paper towels. Season all sides evenly with the kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and Creole seasoning.
Add the pork to the Crock Pot
- Place the seasoned pork roast on top of the vegetables.
Cook low and slow
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours, or until the pork is very tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
- High option: Cook on HIGH for 5–6 hours, checking for tenderness.
Rest
- Once cooked, let the pork rest for about 10 minutes. Slice or shred as desired. Stir the vegetables and gravy gently before serving.
Serve
- Spoon the tender pork, vegetables, and rich gravy over a bed of mashed potatoes or serve alongside your favorite Southern sides.
Recommended Products
Notes
HIGH: 5–6 hours Total Time: Up to 10 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8–10 servings
Serving Size: About 6–8 ounces pork per person, plus vegetables and gravy with the addition of mashed potatoes. Servings can vary according to person and appetite. See the full post for more helpful tips, details, and serving suggestions for this slow cooker pork roast.
- Thickening the Gravy:
If you prefer a thicker gravy, remove about 1 cup of the cooking liquid and whisk in 1–2 tablespoons of cornstarch with a little cold water to make a slurry. Stir it back into the Crock Pot, cover, and cook on HIGH for 10–15 minutes until thickened. - Salt Adjustments:
Since the gravy mix and Creole seasoning both contain salt, you may want to taste the gravy at the end of cooking before adding any extra salt. - Leftovers:
Store leftover pork with some of the gravy to keep it moist. It reheats beautifully and can also be used for sandwiches, rice bowls, or quick weeknight meals. - Cut of Meat Tip:
Pork shoulder (Boston butt) works best for this recipe due to its marbling, which keeps the meat tender and juicy during slow cooking. - Don’t Skip the Rest Time:
Letting the pork rest for about 10 minutes before slicing or shredding helps retain those flavorful juices. - Make It a One-Pot Meal:
The carrots, celery, and onions cook right alongside the pork, giving you a complete meal with minimal effort.
Nutrition
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Storing Leftovers
-
Allow the pork, vegetables, and gravy to cool slightly before storing.
-
Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate.
-
Properly stored, leftovers will keep 3–4 days in the refrigerator.
-
Store the pork with some gravy to keep it moist.
Freezing
-
This pork shoulder freezes well. Place cooled pork, vegetables, and gravy in freezer-safe containers or zip-top freezer bags.
-
Label with the date and freeze for up to 2–3 months.
-
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
-
Stovetop (best for flavor):
Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken stock or water if needed. -
Microwave:
Reheat in a microwave-safe dish, covered, in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until heated through. -
Oven:
Place leftovers in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and warm at 325°F until hot.
Easy Homestyle Crock Pot Pork Shoulder Roast Recipe
I hope this Easy Homestyle Crock Pot Pork Shoulder Roast Recipe finds a place on your dinner table soon. It’s one of those comforting, dependable meals that fills your home with the best kind of aromas and brings everyone together at the table. With tender, slow-cooked pork and rich gravy spooned over creamy mashed potatoes, it’s simple, satisfying, and full of that homestyle goodness we all love.
If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Be sure to leave a comment below, share it with a friend, or save it for later—this is one of those recipes that just gets better every time you make it.
Thank y’all so much for stopping by, and as always, happy cooking from my kitchen to yours.

About Julia
Hey Y’all! I’m Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia’s Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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