Pork picnic roast is an economical, flavorful cut that is perfect for moist, fall-apart meat when cooked low and slow in a crockpot. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, you can transform this tough cut into fork-tender pulled pork or slices in about 6-8 hours.

In this comprehensive guide. you’ll learn

• What is pork picnic roast?
• Benefits of using a crockpot
• Choosing the right size roast
• Prepping the meat for cooking
• Seasoning and flavoring options
• Step-by-step crockpot cooking directions
• Serving suggestions for crowd-pleasing meals

Follow the tips below for succulent, delicious pork picnic roast every time you plug in the crockpot.

What is Pork Picnic Roast?

Pork picnic roast comes from the upper portion of the front leg of the pig. It’s an inexpensive cut that contains a lot of connective tissue. This makes it ideal for slow cooking methods that break down the collagen and yield tender, pull-apart meat.

Other names for this cut include pork shoulder picnic roast, pork shoulder arm picnic roast, and pork butt roast. Don’t let the confusing names deter you from picking up this budget-friendly option.

Why Cook Pork Picnic Roast in a Crockpot?

Cooking pork picnic roast in a crockpot offers several benefits:

• Tenderizes meat – The slow, moist heat melts collagen for fall-off-the-bone meat.

• Adds flavor – Seasonings have hours to permeate the meat.

• Hands-off – Just prep and walk away. No monitoring required.

• Makes juicy meat – Doesn’t dry out like the oven.

• Frees up oven – Leaves oven available for side dishes.

• Serves a crowd – Provides a hearty, inexpensive family meal.

The crockpot does all the work for delicious pork picnic roast.

Choosing the Right Size Roast

For optimum crockpot cooking, select a 3-5 pound boneless pork picnic roast. Here are some tips:

• Weight – Pick a roast that fits comfortably in your crockpot.

• Uniform – Avoid oddly shaped roasts for even cooking.

• Fat cap – Look for some fat marbling through the meat.

• Color – Opt for light pink meat without dark spots.

Allow the roast to sit out for 30 minutes before cooking to prevent a drastic temperature change during heating.

Preparing Pork Picnic Roast for the Crockpot

To ensure flavorful, tender results, properly prepare the pork roast:

• Trim – Use a sharp knife to remove any silver skin or hard exterior fat.

• Pierce – Poke holes all over roast with a fork to allow seasonings to penetrate.

• Dry – Pat roast very dry with paper towels to help spices stick.

• Season – Generously apply a spice rub all over meat. Press in with hands.

• Sear – Brown roast on all sides in a skillet to enhance flavor.

• Rest – Let sit for 15-20 minutes post-seasoning so flavors absorb.

Now it’s ready for the slow cooker!

Seasoning and Flavoring Ideas

The seasoning you applybefore cooking significantly impacts the end flavor. Consider these tasty options:

• Dry rub – Salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, chili powder, paprika

• Fresh herbs – Rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley

• Spice blends – Apple pie spice, pork seasoning, jerk seasoning

• Aromatics – Onion, garlic, ginger

• Brines or marinades – Cider vinegar, citrus juice, soy sauce, wine

• Savory liquids – Beef or chicken broth, beer, apple juice

Get creative mixing global spices and herbs for the pork roast.

Step-by-Step Crockpot Directions

Follow these simple steps for fantastic picnic roast pork:

1. Prep meat – Trim, poke, dry, and season pork roast. Sear if desired.

2. Add aromatics – Place onions, garlic, herbs in bottom of crockpot.

3. Insert roast – Place seasoned pork directly on top of aromatics.

4. Add liquid – Pour in broth, juice or beer until meat is partially submerged.

5. Cook on low – Set crockpot to low for 8-10 hours. Cook time varies by size.

6. Rest – Remove roast to cutting board and let rest for 10-15 minutes.

7. Shred or slice – Use forks to shred meat or slice into pieces.

8. Make sauce – Mix cooking liquid with cornstarch to make gravy, if desired.

And your pork picnic roast is ready to devour!

Handy Tips for Crockpot Pork Perfection

• Add root vegetables under roast halfway through cooking time for tender veggies.
• Use a meat thermometer to check doneness – shred pork at 195°F.
• For food safety, discard any leftovers after 4 days in fridge.
• If too much liquid remains, cook on Warm with lid off to reduce and thicken.
• For easy cleanup, place roast in an oven-safe dish before inserting in crock.
• Mix and match different seasoning combos each time you make it.

Serving Suggestions

Fork-tender pork picnic roast is extremely versatile. Here are some delicious ways to use it:

• Sandwiches – Pile shredded meat onto buns with barbecue sauce.

• Tacos – Chopped pork pairs great with Mexican flavors like salsa and lime.

• Soup – Add shredded pork to beans, veggies and broth.

• Salad – Top a spinach salad with sliced pork and vinaigrette.

• Baked potato – Mound tender pork roast onto loaded spuds.

• Pizza – Use pork as a topping instead of sausage or pepperoni.

• Pasta – Toss chopped pork into tomato-based sauces for extra flavor.

• Breakfast – Add bite-size pork pieces to scrambled eggs or hash.

Get the whole family involved in creating fun new ways to transform pork picnic roast leftovers into quick, easy meals.

In Summary

With minimal hands-on time, the crockpot does the work of turning an inexpensive pork picnic roast into mouthwatering pulled pork or succulent roast slices. Use this complete guide to select the right size roast, prep it properly, make a flavorful seasoning, nail the cooking instructions, and serve crowd-pleasing meals. In just 6-8 hours, you’ll have juicy, tender pork picnic roast ready to become anything from tacos to soup to sandwiches. Plug in the crockpot and enjoy convenient, delicious pork roast anytime!