Pork Pot Roast

Pork Pot Roast is the ultimate comforting dish, slow-cooked until incredibly tender and packed with savory flavors. With a simple combination of pork, aromatic vegetables, and flavorful broth, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a cozy Sunday dinner or a hearty meal with friends. The pork becomes so tender it practically falls apart, and the vegetables soak up all the delicious juices, making it a truly satisfying meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

  • For the roast:

    • 2 ½ – 3 lb pork shoulder

    • 3 tsp kosher salt

    • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

    • 1 ½ tsp garlic powder

    • 1 tsp onion powder

    • 1 tsp dried rosemary

    • 1 tsp dried thyme

    • 3 tbsp olive oil

    • ½ cup white wine

    • ½ cup chicken stock

    • 5 shallots, peeled and halved

    • 3 cloves garlic, peeled

  • For the vegetables:

    • 2 lb gold potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces

    • 1 lb carrots, cut into bite-sized pieces

    • 1 sprig fresh rosemary

    • 2 sprigs fresh thyme

Directions

  1. Prepare the Meat: Preheat your oven to 325°F (175°C). Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, and thyme. Rub this spice mixture all over the pork shoulder.

  2. Sear the Meat: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown the pork roast on all sides for about 4-5 minutes. Remove the pork and set aside.

  3. Deglaze the Pot: Add white wine to the pot, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom. Let the wine cook for about a minute, then add chicken stock, shallots, and garlic. Return the pork to the pot.

  4. Roast the Meat: Cover and roast in the oven for 2 ½ hours.

  5. Add Vegetables: After 2 ½ hours, add the potatoes, carrots, rosemary, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, cover, and roast for an additional 1 to 1 ½ hours, until the potatoes are tender and the meat is fall-apart tender.

  6. Serve: Remove from the oven, slice the roast (or shred it), and serve with the vegetables.

Nutrients (per serving)

  • Calories: 477 kcal

  • Protein: 35g

  • Fat: 25g

  • Carbohydrates: 28g

  • Sodium: 700mg

  • Cholesterol: 100mg

  • Fiber: 4g

  • Sugar: 5g

Why Pork Pot Roast is a Perfect Comfort Food

Pork Pot Roast is a meal that warms both the body and soul. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to develop and infuse into the pork and vegetables, making the dish incredibly flavorful. The key to this recipe is the marbling of the pork shoulder. The fat content in the pork melts during the slow roasting, ensuring that the meat becomes incredibly tender and juicy. This is the perfect dish for a lazy weekend afternoon or when you’re looking to make a meal that will feed a crowd with minimal effort.

Not only is this recipe delicious, but it’s also easy to prepare. The prep time is relatively short, and the bulk of the cooking is hands-off, allowing you to enjoy the wonderful aromas wafting through your home as the pork roasts. Plus, the one-pot nature of the recipe means fewer dishes to clean up afterward!

How to Make Pork Pot Roast

This easy-to-follow recipe ensures that your pork pot roast turns out tender and flavorful every time. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to prepare it:

  1. Prepare the Meat:
    Preheat your oven to 325°F (175°C). In a small bowl, combine 3 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 1 ½ tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried rosemary, and 1 tsp dried thyme. Rub this spice mixture all over the pork shoulder. Be generous with the seasoning to ensure that the meat is well-flavored.

  2. Sear the Meat:
    Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, sear the pork roast on all sides for about 4-5 minutes, or until it is nicely browned. Searing the pork helps develop rich flavors by creating a caramelized crust on the outside. Once seared, remove the pork from the pot and set it aside.

  3. Deglaze the Pot:
    Add ½ cup white wine to the pot to deglaze, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Let the wine cook for about a minute to reduce slightly, adding a wonderful depth of flavor. Then, pour in ½ cup chicken stock, and add the 5 shallots (peeled and halved) and 3 cloves of peeled garlic. Stir to combine.

  4. Roast the Meat:
    Return the pork to the Dutch oven, ensuring it is sitting in the flavorful liquid. Cover the pot with a lid and roast it in the oven for 2 ½ hours. This slow cooking will allow the pork to become wonderfully tender.

  5. Add Vegetables:
    After 2 ½ hours, add the 2 lb of gold potatoes (cut into bite-sized pieces) and 1 lb of carrots (also cut into bite-sized pieces) to the pot. Add 1 sprig of fresh rosemary and 2 sprigs of fresh thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Stir everything gently to ensure the vegetables are coated in the flavorful juices. Cover the pot and roast for an additional 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until the potatoes are tender and the pork is fall-apart tender.

  6. Serve:
    Once the pork and vegetables are done, remove the pot from the oven. You can slice the pork or shred it with a fork for a more rustic presentation. Serve the roast with the vegetables, spooning some of the delicious juices over the top for extra flavor.

Why This Pork Pot Roast is Perfect for Any Occasion

This Pork Pot Roast recipe is not only comforting but also versatile. Whether you’re preparing it for a family dinner, a special occasion, or simply a Sunday meal, it delivers a hearty, satisfying dish that can be enjoyed by everyone. The slow-cooked pork is rich and flavorful, while the vegetables absorb all the savory juices, creating a complete meal in one pot.

This roast can easily be served with a variety of sides to complement its flavors. Pair it with a fresh salad, crusty bread, or even a side of sautéed greens for a more balanced meal. The leftovers can also be used in sandwiches, wraps, or soups, making it a great meal to stretch throughout the week.

Nutritional Benefits of Pork Pot Roast

Pork Pot Roast is a well-rounded meal that offers a healthy balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Each serving (about 1/6th of the recipe) contains 477 calories, 35g of protein, and 25g of fat, which helps keep you feeling full and satisfied. The fat content includes 6.4g of saturated fat, which is relatively moderate for a dish like this, and the roast is a good source of potassium (105mg) and fiber (4g), mainly from the vegetables.

While the sodium content is 700mg per serving, it’s important to note that the amount of salt can be adjusted based on your personal preference or dietary needs. The addition of fresh herbs and the slow cooking process ensures that this dish is full of flavor without needing to rely heavily on salt.

Making It Your Own

This Pork Pot Roast is a great base recipe, and there are plenty of ways to customize it to fit your tastes:

  • Herb Variations: While the rosemary and thyme used in this recipe are classic choices, you can experiment with other herbs like oregano, sage, or bay leaves to add a different twist to the flavor.

  • Vegetable Variations: Feel free to swap out the potatoes and carrots for other root vegetables, such as parsnips, turnips, or sweet potatoes. You could also add other vegetables like celery, Brussels sprouts, or even green beans for extra variety.

  • Spice It Up: If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix for a subtle kick.

  • Gluten-Free Option: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but be sure to check that the chicken stock you use is also gluten-free.

Conclusion

Pork Pot Roast is the ultimate comfort food, offering a warm, hearty meal that’s perfect for any occasion. With tender, fall-apart pork, savory vegetables, and flavorful broth, this dish is satisfying and full of rich flavors. The easy preparation and slow-cooked process make it a perfect choice for a cozy dinner or family gathering. Serve it with a side of fresh bread or greens, and you’ll have a complete, delicious meal that everyone will love. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or just need a hearty dinner for the week, Pork Pot Roast is sure to become a favorite in your recipe rotation.

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