Description
An easy, tender, and juicy pork roast cooked low and slow in a sweet and tangy balsamic brown sugar glaze, perfect for hands-off cooking and big comforting flavors.
Ingredients
- 3–4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt)
- ½ cup brown sugar (100g)
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar (80ml)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 medium onion, sliced (about 150g)
- 1 cup chicken broth (240ml), low-sodium preferred
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Pat the pork roast dry with paper towels. Season generously all over with salt, black pepper, dried rosemary, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork roast on each side for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Transfer the roast to the slow cooker.
- In the same skillet, add sliced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
- Pour in balsamic vinegar and chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Stir in brown sugar until mostly dissolved.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the pork in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is tender and falling apart.
- Remove the pork roast and let rest for 5 minutes. Skim some liquid fat from the sauce, then drizzle the sauce over the meat before serving. Optionally, thicken the sauce by simmering it on the stove for a few minutes.
Notes
[‘Searing the pork before slow cooking adds flavor and color.’, ‘Use good-quality balsamic vinegar for best flavor.’, ‘Reserve and drizzle the cooking sauce over the pork when serving.’, ‘Make ahead: tastes even better the next day.’, ‘Pair with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or steamed greens.’, ‘Leftovers can be used in tacos, sandwiches, or casseroles.’, ‘Can substitute apple cider vinegar for balsamic vinegar with a different flavor.’, ‘Add vegetables like baby potatoes or carrots halfway through cooking if desired.’, ‘Freezing is possible but may slightly change texture; thaw overnight and reheat gently.’]
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the pork roas
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: slow cooker pork roast, balsamic pork roast, brown sugar pork, easy pork roast, tender pork roast, juicy pork roast, slow cooker recipes