Tender Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Dinner Bowl with Roasted Carrots
A comforting and easy-to-make slow cooker pulled pork dinner bowl paired with caramelized roasted carrots, perfect for family meals and busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours (slow cooker low) or 5-6 hours (slow cooker high) plus 30 minutes roasting carrots
- Total Time: 8 hours 45 minutes to 10 hours 45 minutes (slow cooker low) or 5 hours 45 minutes to 6 hours 45 minutes (slow cooker high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 lbs pork shoulder (also called pork butt), well-marbled
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth or water
- 1 lb (450 g) carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Optional toppings: fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped; pickled jalapeños
Instructions
- Trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder if desired. Pat it dry with paper towels to help the seasoning stick better.
- In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Rub this spice blend all over the pork, pressing it into the meat to coat evenly.
- Place the sliced onions and minced garlic at the bottom of your slow cooker to create a flavor base and keep the pork from sticking.
- Put the seasoned pork shoulder on top of the onions and garlic. Pour in apple cider vinegar and chicken broth or water around the pork to add moisture.
- Cover and cook on low for 8–10 hours or high for 5–6 hours until the pork pulls apart easily with a fork.
- About 30 minutes before the pork is done, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss carrots with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 25–30 minutes, stirring halfway, until caramelized and tender.
- Using two forks or meat claws, shred the pork directly in the slow cooker, mixing it with the cooking juices for maximum flavor.
- Spoon a generous amount of pulled pork into bowls, add roasted carrots, and garnish with fresh herbs or pickled jalapeños if desired.
Notes
If the pork looks dry after shredding, add a splash of the slow cooker juices or your favorite BBQ sauce to keep it moist and flavorful. Do not rush cooking time; low and slow is key for tender pork. Avoid overcrowding carrots when roasting to ensure caramelization. Save cooking juices for added flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 ½ cups per s
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 27.5
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 22.5
- Fiber: 4.5
- Protein: 37.5
Keywords: slow cooker pulled pork, pulled pork dinner bowl, roasted carrots, family meal, easy dinner, comfort food, slow cooker recipe