This slow cooker pork shoulder has a rich, caramelized flavor and is shockingly low-carb! It’s easy to make in the slow cooker too.
Keto Brown Sugar Pork
A few different flavors naturally go with pork – apples and brown sugar. In this recipe, I took my favorite brown sugar and spices and created an irresistible rub that is still low in carbs.
In fact, there are just 2 grams net carbs in each serving of this flavorful pork shoulder! I’ll also share my best tips for cooking and preparing this delicious pork too.
My biggest tip is to trim a bit of fat off before you add the rub and put it in the slow cooker. Pork shoulder is a very fatty piece of meat. If you remove some of the fat first, it won’t make the entire dish too greasy.
Keto Brown Sugar Rub
Grab some Swerve brown sugar substitute and keep this recipe somewhere you can find it! You can reuse it on pork chops and pork tenderloin too. As the pork cooks in the Crockpot, the brown sugar will caramelize.
This is what makes the pork taste so sweet without having to add actual sugar to it.
Feel free to adjust the amount of brown sugar substitute in this rub recipe. I used an entire 1/2 a cup for the pork shoulder. If you want it to be spicier or more savory, then cut back on how much brown sugar you use.
Keto Pork Shoulder Rub
This rub recipe has the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors, but it’s also really easy to adjust. If you want this to be spicier, add some red pepper flakes and more paprika.
To give the rub a smokier flavor, add more cumin. I used garlic powder because it’s so easy to find, but fresh garlic cloves in the slow cooker will really make a huge difference.
Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder
I suggest using a slow cooker liner to make the clean-up process faster and easier. Otherwise, the pork shoulder will stick to the inside of your slow cooker. It’s really difficult to clean when this happens.
Serve your pork shoulder on a lettuce wrap, make some homemade keto Hawaiian rolls, and eat some delicious pork sliders.
What To Eat With Pork Shoulder
Let the pork shoulder have all the culinary attention and serve some mild sides with it. Garlic cauliflower mash is the perfect accompaniment. Keto cauliflower au gratin is another fantastic side dish to tender pork shoulder.
If you like cheesy sides, then make some keto scalloped turnips. They are full of healthy fiber and nutrients.
Keto Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder Recipe
Here’s the list of ingredients that you’ll need to make this keto slow cooker pork shoulder. Exact measurements and instructions are located in the printable recipe card, just a bit further below.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 ½ Hours
Servings: 5
Net Carbs: 2 net carbs per serving
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder
Swerve brown sugar substitute
Paprika
Cayenne
Garlic powder
Oregano
Onion powder
Chili powder
Cumin
Salt and pepper
Olive oil
Instructions:
In a bowl, combine brown sugar substitute, paprika, cayenne, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste.
Drizzle 2 Tbsp of the olive oil over the pork shoulder, and rub with the brown sugar mixture thoroughly.
Heat remaining olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
Now sear pork on all sides in the skillet, careful not to leave it in place for too long to avoid the sugar burning.
Transfer pork to the crockpot, and add a tiny amount of water in the bottom.
Cook on high for 30 minutes.
Reduce heat to low for 6 hours.
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Keto Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder
This slow cooker pork shoulder has a rich, caramelized flavor and is shockingly low-carb! It's easy to make in the slow cooker too.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Pork Shoulder
- 1/2 cup Swerve Brown Sugar Substitute
- 2 tsp Paprika
- 2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 2 tsp Oregano
- 2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 4 tbsp Olive Oil divided
Instructions
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In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar substitute, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, oregano, onion powder, chili powder, cumin and salt and pepper to taste.
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Drizzle the pork shoulder in 2 Tbsp of the olive oil, and rub with the brown sugar mixture thoroughly.
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Heat the remaining olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
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Sear the pork on all sides in the skillet, careful not to leave it in place too long to avoid the sugar burning.
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Transfer the pork to the crockpot, and place a tiny amount of water in the bottom.
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Cook on high for 30 minutes.
-
Reduce the heat to low for 6 hours.
Recipe Notes
Calories: 375
Net Carbs: 5 Net Carbs Per Serving
The nutritional information for this recipe is calculated as a courtesy and is an approximate only. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipes on this site.
Keto Slow Cooker Recipes
I love using my slow cooker – it makes meal prep and cooking much easier. If you enjoyed this slow cooker pork shoulder recipe, here are some more delicious and low-carb recipes you can make in your slow cooker.