A frozen pork roast cooked low and slow in a crockpot delivers incredibly moist, fall-apart tender meat. But precisely how long does it take to transform a solid frozen pork roast into succulent pulled pork or perfect slices?
Cooking duration depends on variables like size of the roast, bone-in or boneless, and your desired level of doneness. Follow these timing guidelines for cooking frozen pork roast in a crock pot to get fork-tender results every time.
Why Cook Frozen Pork Roast in a Crock Pot?
Slow cookers like the crockpot are ideal for cooking frozen meats for several reasons
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Low, steady heat gently defrosts while cooking the meat through.
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Long cook times allow tough cuts to become tender.
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Minimal monitoring is needed once you set it and forget it.
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Frozen roasts won’t overwhelm the crockpot with temperature drops.
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Ends with incredibly moist, flavorful meat that just falls apart.
You don’t need to dirty extra dishes thawing the roast first. Just toss it in frozen and let the crockpot work its magic.
How Long to Cook a 2-3 lb Pork Roast
For a 2-3 lb pork roast, the approximate crockpot cook times are:
- Low setting: 6-8 hours
- High setting: 4-5 hours
A smaller 2-3 lb pork roast only needs about 6-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high to become fork tender.
Cook times are for frozen pork roast placed directly into the crockpot from the freezer. No thawing needed.
How Long to Cook a 4-5 lb Pork Roast
For a larger 4-5 lb pork roast, the recommended crockpot cook times are:
- Low setting: 8-10 hours
- High setting: 5-6 hours
The extra size means the roast needs additional time for the heat to fully penetrate and tenderize the center.
How Long Per Pound?
As a general guideline, frozen pork roast needs about 1-1.5 hours per pound on the low setting in a crockpot.
So a 3 lb roast takes roughly 3-4.5 hours, while a 5 lb roast needs 5-7.5 hours on low until fork tender.
For the high setting, decrease cook time to 0.75-1 hours per lb.
Keep in mind pork continues cooking once removed from the crockpot.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for frozen pork roast success:
Ingredients:
- 3-4 lb frozen pork roast
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp each salt, pepper, onion powder
Instructions:
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Pour broth into crockpot and add frozen roast.
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In a bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper and onion powder. Rub spice mix all over pork.
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Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours.
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Use a meat thermometer to check doneness – at least 145°F.
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Remove roast, tent with foil and let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.
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Make gravy from juices to serve with sliced or pulled pork. Enjoy!
It’s that easy. The crockpot does the work for you while you go about your day.
Tips for Moist, Tender Pork Roast
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Leave fat cap on for extra moisture and flavor
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Add liquids like broth, apple juice or root beer
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Sprinkle on a savory dry rub before cooking
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Cook at low temp (200-250°F) to prevent drying out
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Use a meat thermometer for doneness, not just time
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Let roast rest before carving to retain juices
When is Pork Roast Done?
Unlike beef roasts which are best cooked to lower temps, pork roast should reach a minimum internal temperature of 145°F as measured by a meat thermometer.
At 145°F, the pork will be slightly pink but juicy and safe to eat. Let rest as the temp will continue rising.
For pulled pork, cook to 200-205°F until the meat shreds easily. The collagen will have broken down completely at this point.
Can You Overcook Pork Roast in a Crock Pot?
It is possible to overcook pork roast in the crockpot if cooked for an excessively long period.
Signs of overcooked pork include:
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Internal temp over 160°F
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Dry, stringy texture
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Lack of juices
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Discolored meat
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Difficulty shredding
Stick to recommended cook times and monitor temperature to prevent overcooking. Pork dries out quickly once it passes 160°F.
Can You Use a Pork Roast Seasoning Packet?
Yes, seasoning packets designed for pork roast make prep easy. Simply rub the seasoning blend all over the frozen pork roast before placing it in the crockpot.
The spices infuse the meat with flavor as it slowly cooks. Add some broth or barbecue sauce too.
How to Use Leftover Crockpot Pork Roast
Leftover pork roast has many uses. Here are some delicious ways to repurpose it:
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Pork roast sandwiches or wraps
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Pulled pork pizza or nachos
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Pork fried rice or stir fry
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Pork roast tacos or burritos
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Hearty addition to soups or chili
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Diced in pasta dishes or casseroles
Get creative with the delicious leftover pork! Properly stored, it will keep 3-4 days refrigerated.
FAQs
Can you cook pork from frozen in a crockpot?
Yes, the crockpot is ideal for cooking pork roasts directly from frozen. The low steady heat safely defrosts and cooks the pork.
Do you need to thaw pork roast before crockpot cooking?
Thawing is not necessary prior to cooking frozen pork roast in the crockpot. It saves time and dirty dishes to cook it straight from frozen state.
Should pork roast be covered in the crockpot?
Covering is not necessary as the moist environment basically self-braises the meat. Leaving it uncovered allows sauce reduction.
What setting should I use to cook frozen pork roast?
The low setting is best for larger cuts of frozen pork like roasts. High can cause surface overcooking before the inside thaws.
Can you put frozen pork roast in the crockpot overnight?
Yes, the hands-off aspect of the crockpot makes it perfect for overnight cooking. Just make sure pork reaches safe temp before serving.
The Takeaway
Cooking frozen pork roast in a crockpot results in incredibly tender, fall-apart meat with minimal effort required. Follow the timing guidelines based on weight and setting, and you’ll have juicy pulled pork or slices ready when you are.