This Slow Cooker Balsamic Glazed Pork Roast combines the rich, savory flavor of pork with a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze. The slow cooker does all the work, ensuring the pork turns out tender and juicy. With a glaze made from balsamic vinegar, honey, and aromatic garlic and herbs, it’s the perfect dish for both busy weeknights and special gatherings. Serve it with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or over rice for a complete meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 3-4 lb pork roast (shoulder or loin)

• ½ cup balsamic vinegar

• ¼ cup honey

• ¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 medium onion, sliced

• ½ cup chicken broth

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

• 2 tbsp water (optional, for cornstarch slurry)

Directions

1. Prepare the Pork: Pat the pork roast dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper on all sides.

2. Sear the Roast: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork roast for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown, locking in juices.

3. Layer the Slow Cooker: Place sliced onions at the bottom of the slow cooker.

4. Make the Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, soy sauce, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and black pepper until well combined.

5. Add Pork to Slow Cooker: Place the seared pork roast on top of the onions. Pour the balsamic glaze mixture over the pork, ensuring it’s well-coated. Add chicken broth around the pork to keep it moist.

6. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the pork is fork-tender and easily shreds.

7. Rest the Pork: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

8. Thicken the Glaze (Optional): If desired, strain the cooking liquid into a saucepan. Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir into the liquid and simmer until thickened.

9. Serve: Slice or shred the pork, drizzle with glaze, and serve with the cooked onions. Enjoy with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 2778 kcal

• Fat: 199 g

• Saturated Fat: 72 g

• Cholesterol: 817 mg

• Sodium: 1478 mg

• Carbohydrates: 21 g

• Fiber: 1 g

• Sugar: 16 g

• Protein: 213 g

Why Slow Cooking is the Key to Perfection

Slow cooking is the secret to this recipe’s success. The long, slow simmer in the slow cooker results in a tender, juicy roast that is easy to shred or slice. The fat and connective tissues in the pork break down over time, making the roast fork-tender and full of flavor. Unlike quick cooking methods, slow cooking allows the flavors to fully develop and infuse the meat, ensuring that each bite is flavorful and succulent.

Using a slow cooker also allows for a lot of flexibility—while the roast is cooking, you have time to prepare sides, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or rice, making this a stress-free meal for busy days.

Searing the Pork for Extra Flavor

Before placing the pork roast into the slow cooker, it’s important to sear it in a hot skillet. Searing the roast for 2-3 minutes per side creates a beautiful golden-brown crust that locks in the juices and adds an extra layer of flavor. This step helps to create a more flavorful base for the dish and prevents the roast from losing too much moisture during the slow cooking process.

After the roast is seared, it’s ready to be transferred to the slow cooker where it will continue to absorb the flavors of the balsamic glaze and the other ingredients.

The Balsamic Glaze: A Sweet and Tangy Finish

The star of the show is the balsamic glaze. This sauce is made by combining balsamic vinegar, honey, soy sauce, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and black pepper. The balsamic vinegar adds a tangy depth, while the honey brings in a subtle sweetness. Soy sauce, with its rich umami flavor, rounds out the glaze, and the garlic, rosemary, and thyme contribute aromatic herbal notes that complement the pork beautifully.

Once combined, the balsamic glaze is poured over the seared pork roast, ensuring it’s well-coated. The glaze slowly infuses into the pork as it cooks, enhancing the roast with each passing hour.

Cooking the Pork Roast in the Slow Cooker

With the pork seared and the glaze ready, the roast goes into the slow cooker. Sliced onions are added at the bottom of the slow cooker, acting as a flavorful base. The roast is placed on top of the onions, and the glaze mixture is poured over it. Chicken broth is then added around the roast to help maintain moisture throughout the cooking process.

The slow cooker is covered, and the pork is left to cook on low for 8 hours. As the pork cooks, it becomes incredibly tender, absorbing all the flavors from the balsamic glaze and cooking liquids. The result is a succulent, melt-in-your-mouth roast that practically shreds itself when you touch it with a fork.

Resting and Slicing the Pork

Once the pork is fully cooked, it’s time to remove it from the slow cooker. Allow the roast to rest for about 10 minutes before slicing or shredding. Resting the meat is essential, as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the roast, making it even more tender and flavorful.

Thickening the Glaze (Optional)

If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can easily thicken the glaze. Strain the cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan, then mix cornstarch with a bit of water to create a slurry. Stir this slurry into the liquid and simmer it for a few minutes until it thickens into a rich, glossy glaze. This thickened glaze can be poured over the sliced or shredded pork for an even more concentrated burst of flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This Slow Cooker Balsamic Glazed Pork Roast is incredibly versatile and can be served with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas:

• Mashed Potatoes: The rich, savory flavor of the pork and glaze pairs wonderfully with creamy mashed potatoes. The potatoes absorb the extra sauce, making each bite a perfect combination of flavors.

• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes complement the pork and provide a lighter, healthier contrast to the rich meat.

• Rice: A bed of rice is an excellent way to soak up the flavorful sauce and create a more filling meal.

• Steamed Greens: Pair the dish with steamed greens like spinach or kale to add some freshness and balance out the richness of the pork.

The balsamic glaze also makes an excellent dipping sauce for crusty bread or rolls, allowing you to savor every last bit of the flavorful sauce.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of Slow Cooker Balsamic Glazed Pork Roast contains approximately 2778 calories, with 199 grams of fat and 72 grams of saturated fat. While this dish is rich and indulgent, the pork provides a significant amount of protein—213 grams in total. The dish is also low in carbohydrates (21 grams), with only 16 grams of sugar, primarily from the honey and balsamic vinegar.

The sodium content per serving is 1478 mg, so it’s important to be mindful of the sodium level, especially if you’re watching your intake. However, using low-sodium soy sauce can help reduce the sodium content.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Balsamic Glazed Pork Roast is a flavorful, easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. The slow cooking process ensures the pork turns out tender and juicy, while the balsamic glaze adds a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. Whether you serve it with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or rice, this dish is sure to become a favorite at your table. The combination of rich flavors and simple preparation makes it a go-to recipe for busy days and festive gatherings alike. Enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth experience that this dish delivers, and savor every bite!