Mouthwatering Slow Cooker Oriental Pork Roast: Your Ultimate Easy Dinner
Embrace the unparalleled convenience of your slow cooker year-round with this incredible Slow Cooker Oriental Pork Roast. While many associate slow cooking with the coziness of winter, its true value often shines brightest during the busier, warmer months. Think about it: winter schedules might be relatively calm, but spring and summer often bring a whirlwind of activities. From youth sports like baseball and soccer practice to high school football training camps, our evenings become precious. This is precisely when a “set it and forget it” meal transforms from a convenience into an absolute necessity, ensuring a delicious, homemade dinner without the evening scramble.
This recipe promises a remarkably tender and juicy pork roast, richly flavored with an aromatic, Asian-inspired rub and sauce. It’s designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it ideal for those hectic weeknights. While we certainly enjoy a traditional sirloin pork roast prepared in the oven, the Crock-Pot version is simply unbeatable for its convenience, especially when family schedules are packed with activities. This Oriental pork roast develops incredible depth of flavor as it slowly cooks throughout the day, ensuring a satisfying meal that’s ready when you are.
The Secret to Tender, Flavorful Pork: Prep Ahead for Success
The magic of this slow cooker pork roast begins with its simple yet powerful preparation: an overnight marinade. The pork is generously coated in a flavorful rub, allowing the spices and aromatics to deeply infuse the meat. For the most tender and flavorful results, and to truly unlock the “make-ahead” potential of this recipe, it’s highly recommended to prepare the meat the night before. Simply rub the pork with the spice mixture and let it rest in the refrigerator for 8 to 24 hours. This marination period not only tenderizes the meat but also concentrates the delicious flavors, setting the stage for an extraordinary meal.
Choosing Your Pork: Loin vs. Butt for Slow Cooking
Selecting the right cut of pork is key to achieving that perfect slow-cooked texture. This recipe works beautifully with either a pork loin or a pork butt. Both cuts will yield a tender roast, but they offer slightly different characteristics:
- Pork Loin: This is a leaner cut, often available at great prices, especially at warehouse clubs like Sam’s Club. When cooked in the slow cooker, it remains moist and flavorful, absorbing the sauce wonderfully. Due to its lower fat content, it benefits from careful monitoring during the last few hours of cooking to ensure it doesn’t dry out.
- Pork Butt (or Pork Shoulder/Boston Butt): This cut is known for its excellent marbling and connective tissue. While it may require a slightly longer cooking time, the fat breaks down beautifully, creating an exceptionally juicy, fall-apart tender roast. Pork butt is ideal if you plan to shred the pork for pulled pork sandwiches or tacos.
Regardless of your choice, a 3-pound roast is perfect for this recipe, providing a generous meal for the family with delicious leftovers.
Streamlined Morning Routine: Just 10 Minutes to Perfection
Thanks to the overnight marination, your morning prep is incredibly efficient – just about 10 minutes stands between you and a fragrant, slow-cooking masterpiece. To make your morning even smoother, consider mixing the key liquid ingredients—low sodium soy sauce, dry sherry, packed brown sugar, chicken broth, and whole star anise—the night before. Store this aromatic sauce mixture in a separate airtight container or bag in the refrigerator. This strategic planning means that on a busy morning, all you’ll need to do is:
- Grab your trusty slow cooker from the cabinet.
- Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet and brown all sides of the marinated pork roast. This vital step creates a beautiful, caramelized crust that locks in juices and adds an incredible depth of flavor, a culinary technique known as the Maillard reaction.
- Pour the pre-mixed sauce into the hot skillet, scraping up any delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan to deglaze it. This adds an extra layer of richness to your sauce.
- Transfer the seared pork and the entire flavorful deglazing liquid into your slow cooker.
With those few steps complete, simply cover your slow cooker and let it work its magic throughout the day. You’ll be greeted by the irresistible aroma of a savory, home-cooked meal, making your evening effortless and delicious.
Serving Your Oriental Pork Roast & Pro Tips for Best Results
Once your slow cooker has worked its magic, the hardest part is over! Serving this tender Oriental pork roast is as simple as adding your favorite accompaniments. For a classic pairing, quick-cooking minute rice or a flavorful Uncle Ben’s rice pouch (ready in 10-15 minutes) is ideal. Complement the rich flavors with a side of steamed fresh vegetables like crisp broccoli, vibrant snap peas, or sweet carrots for a balanced and complete meal. The sweet and savory notes of the pork pair wonderfully with these simple, fresh sides.
Important Cooking Notes for Slow Cooker Success:
It’s crucial to remember that not all slow cookers are created equal; much like ovens, they can vary in their heating temperatures. Pork, especially leaner cuts, can become dry if overcooked. Therefore, we recommend checking your pork roast for tenderness after approximately 5 hours of cooking on the low setting. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches a safe internal temperature, typically around 145-160°F (63-71°C), and then you can gauge if additional cooking time is needed based on your slow cooker’s performance and your desired tenderness. This proactive check ensures your pork remains succulent and perfectly cooked every time.
FAQs About Slow Cooker Oriental Pork Roast
To help you confidently prepare this delightful dish, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
- Q: What kind of pork is best for this recipe?
- A: Both a 3-pound pork loin or a pork butt (also known as pork shoulder or Boston butt) work well. Pork loin is leaner, while pork butt is more marbled and typically results in a richer, fall-apart tender texture.
- Q: Is browning the pork before slow cooking really necessary?
- A: While not strictly required for safety, browning the pork on all sides in a skillet prior to slow cooking is highly recommended. This step develops a deep, caramelized crust and adds significant flavor depth to the finished dish.
- Q: Can I substitute the dry sherry?
- A: Dry sherry contributes a unique savory note. If you prefer a non-alcoholic option, you can substitute it with an equal amount of chicken broth or a non-alcoholic cooking sherry alternative. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
- Q: How long should I cook the Oriental pork roast in the slow cooker?
- A: This recipe is designed to cook on low for approximately 8 hours. However, due to variations in slow cooker models, it’s a good idea to check for tenderness after 5-6 hours, especially if using a leaner pork loin, to prevent it from drying out.
- Q: How do I store leftovers, and can I freeze them?
- A: Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Yes, this recipe freezes beautifully! Once completely cooled, portion the cooked pork and sauce into airtight freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and gently reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Q: What are the best side dishes for this Oriental pork roast?
- A: Steamed white or brown rice, quick-cooking flavored rice, or even noodles are excellent choices. For vegetables, consider steamed broccoli, snap peas, carrots, or a simple Asian-inspired slaw.
More Delicious Slow Cooker Pork Roast Recipes
If this Oriental pork roast has whet your appetite for more easy slow cooker meals, explore these other fantastic pork roast recipes:
- Pork Sirloin Tip Roast with Balsamic Vinegar, Rosemary, and Red Onions – Kalyn’s Kitchen
- Slow Cooker Dry Rub Pork Roast – Stephanie O’Dea
- Slow Cooked Jerk Pork with Caribbean Salsa – Skinny Taste
Expand Your Culinary Horizons: More Slow Cooker Favorites
The versatility of the slow cooker extends far beyond pork roasts. Discover more effortless and delicious recipes that make mealtime a breeze:
- Mississippi Pot Roast
- Crockpot Roast Beef
- Crockpot Beef Stroganoff
- Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash
- Slow Cooker BBQ Meatball Subs
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker Pinto Beans
Slow Cooker Oriental Pork Roast
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 6 cloves garlic pushed through a garlic press or rubbed on a microplane grater
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger root
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 lb pork loin or butt roast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup dry sherry
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 3 star anise
- ¼ cup chicken broth
Before You Begin
Instructions
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In a bowl, combine garlic, ginger, pepper, mustard and salt. Rub all over the surface of the pork roast. Refrigerate overnight, up to 24 hours.
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Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet. Brown all sides of the roast well. Place meat in crock.
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Mix together the soy sauce, sherry, brown sugar, chicken broth and anise. Pour into skillet and deglaze the pan. Empty contents of skillet into the crock over the meat.
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Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.