How Long to Cook Pork in a Crock Pot Per Pound – A Complete Guide

Cooking pork in a crockpot is a great hands-off way to prepare delicious and tender meat. But to get perfect results, it’s important to know how long to cook pork in a crockpot per pound. The cooking time can vary quite a bit depending on the size and cut of the pork.

In this complete guide we’ll walk through everything you need to know to determine the right crockpot cook times for pork. We’ll also cover tips for choosing the best cuts of pork for crockpot cooking. Let’s get started!

Overview of Cooking Pork in a Crockpot

A crockpot, also known as a slow cooker, is a great way to infuse flavors into pork and break down the connective tissues that make it tough The moist, low heat environment gently tenderizes the meat over several hours

The basic process is simple:

• Prepare and season the pork as desired.
• Place the pork in the crockpot.
• Add any additional ingredients like vegetables or sauce.
• Cook on low or high until pork is fully cooked and tender.

Crockpots cook at lower temperatures than ovens or stovetops. So pork generally needs to cook for several hours to reach safe internal temperatures. The cooking time varies primarily based on the size and cut of the pork.

How Long to Cook Different Cuts of Pork Per Pound

The most important factor in determining crockpot cook time for pork is its weight. Here are general guidelines for common cuts:

Pork Shoulder/Boston Butt

• Boneless: 1 1/2 to 2 hours per pound on low

• Bone-in 2 to 2 1/2 hours per pound on low

• Example: A 4 lb boneless roast takes 6-8 hours on low.

Pork Loin

• Chops: 4-6 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high

• Roasts: 1 1/2 hours per pound on low

• Example: A 3 lb roast takes 4 1/2 to 6 hours on low.

Pork Ribs

• Spareribs: 6-8 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high
• Country-style: 7-8 hours on low or 5-6 hours on high
• Baby back: 4-6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high

Ground Pork

• Browning the meat first helps remove fat and enhance flavor.
• Cook crumbled or shaped ground pork for 4-6 hours on low.

Pork Tenderloin

• Cook for 3-4 hours maximum to avoid drying out.
• 1-2 hours on high or 2-3 hours on low.

Always use a meat thermometer to confirm safe final temperatures. Pork should reach 145°F.

Tips for Cooking Times Per Pound

• The longer the cook time, the more tender the pork will become. For fall-off-the-bone meat, use the higher end of the time range.

• Bone-in cuts take longer than boneless.

• Fattier cuts like shoulder and ribs can handle longer cook times than lean tenderloin.

• Cubed or shredded pork cooks faster than roasts or bone-in cuts.

• Frozen pork adds 50-100% more cook time. Defrost first for best results.

• If cooked on high, check pork at the low end of time range to avoid drying out.

• Let pork rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing or pulling to allow juices to redistribute.

Choosing the Right Pork Cuts

The best cuts of pork for slow cooking include:

• Shoulder: Excellent flavor and becomes very tender when slow cooked. Can be roasted whole or shredded.

• Ribs: Great cut for braising until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender.

• Roasts: Cut from the loin or shoulder. Well-suited for slow cooking.

• Chops: Tender pork chops can be cooked to perfection. Brown first for more flavor.

Cuts to avoid:

• Tenderloin: Can dry out and turn tough if cooked too long. Best for stovetop or oven.

• Fresh hams: Require special handling. Don’t fit well in most crockpots.

Sample Crockpot Pork Recipes and Times

To give you an idea of real cooking times, here are some sample recipes for delicious crockpot pork meals:

Pulled Pork

• 1 boneless pork shoulder roast (3 lbs)
• Seasoning: brown sugar, chili powder, salt
• Other ingredients: onion, broth or beer
• Cook 7-8 hours on low

Pork Chops & Apples

• 4 boneless center cut pork chops (2 lbs)
• Seasoning: sage, salt, pepper
• Other ingredients: sliced apples, chicken broth
• Cook 3-4 hours on low

BBQ Pork Ribs

• 4 lbs pork spareribs
• Seasoning: BBQ rub or sauce
• Other ingredients: onion, garlic, ketchup
• Cook 6-8 hours on low

Carnitas

• 2 lb pork shoulder, cubed
• Seasoning: cumin, oregano, chili powder
• Other ingredients: lime juice, chicken broth
• Cook 5-6 hours on low

The Takeaway

Perfectly cooking pork in a crockpot is simple when you know how many hours per pound to cook different cuts on low or high. Pork shoulder, ribs, loin roasts, and chops are all well-suited for flavorful crockpot meals. Use a meat thermometer to confirm safe final temperatures. Master these basic guidelines and you’ll be able to prepare juicy, tender pork in your crockpot anytime.