Description
This slow cooker pork loin or shoulder roast recipe combines a flavorful spice rub with a rich honey butter sauce, creating a tender and juicy roast that melts in your mouth. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, the pork is first seared to develop a golden crust, then slow-cooked to perfection with a delectable mix of honey, garlic, and cider vinegar sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Pork and Spice Rub
- 1.75 – 2.5 kg (3.5 – 5 lb) pork loin or shoulder/boston butt (or scotch fillet, skinless)
- 1.5 tbsp olive oil, separated
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp salt
Honey Butter Sauce
- 3/4 cup honey
- 125 g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tsp cornflour (cornstarch) mixed with a splash of water
Instructions
- Prepare the Spice Rub: Rub the pork all over with about 1 teaspoon of olive oil. In a small bowl, combine paprika, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if using), black pepper, and salt. Sprinkle this spice mixture evenly over the pork, patting it down to adhere firmly all over the surface.
- Brown the Pork: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pork and sear it on all sides until it develops a deep golden brown crust, taking care not to let the spices burn. Once browned, transfer the pork to your slow cooker.
- Make the Honey Butter Sauce: Wipe out the skillet to remove any burnt bits. Melt the unsalted butter over medium heat, then add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant and golden. Stir in the honey, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a rapid simmer and cook for about 30 seconds, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Pork in Slow Cooker: Pour the honey butter sauce over the browned pork in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for approximately 10 hours (600 minutes), or until the pork is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
- Thicken the Sauce: After cooking, remove the pork from the slow cooker and cover to keep warm. Pour the cooking juices into a saucepan, bring to a simmer, then stir in the cornflour mixed with water to thicken the sauce. Cook for a few minutes until the sauce reaches desired consistency.
- Serve: Slice or shred the pork and serve with the thickened honey butter sauce drizzled over the top. Enjoy with your favorite sides such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or steamed greens.
Notes
- You can use either pork loin or shoulder/boston butt depending on your preference; shoulder will be more tender and juicy due to higher fat content.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to taste for a spicier or milder roast.
- Sealing (browning) the pork before slow cooking helps develop deeper flavor and a nice crust.
- If preferred, use a thicker sauce by adding more cornflour slurry.
- Leftover pork makes excellent sandwiches or tacos the next day.
