Blue Heron Community Farm

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Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Zesty Basil Sauce

INGREDIENTS:

For The Pork:

  • 8 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 3 tablespoons whole grain mustard

  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar

  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt

  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 teaspoons oregano leaves, finely chopped

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika

  • 1 skinless, boneless pork shoulder roast, tied (Boston butt; about 6 pounds)

For The Sauce:

  • 1 large shallot, finely chopped

  • 2 cups basil leaves, finely chopped

  • 1 1/4 cups extra virgin olive oil

  • 1/4 cup oregano leaves, finely chopped

  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

Special Equipment:

  • A (4-quart) slow cooker

PREPARATION:

  1. Cook the pork: Mix garlic, oil, mustard, brown sugar, salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika in a small bowl to form a paste. Rub all over pork, then transfer to a resealable plastic bag or slow cooker insert and chill overnight.

  2. Place pork in slow cooker, cover, and cook on low until meat is fork-tender but not yet completely falling apart, 7 1/2–8 hours.

  3. Meanwhile, make the sauce: Mix shallot, basil, oil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt in an airtight container. Cover and let rest up to 3 hours at temperature or up to 2 days in refrigerator. Stir in lemon juice just before using.

  4. Transfer pork to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes. Slice and transfer to a platter. Drizzle with sauce and serve with additional sauce alongside.

Do Ahead: Pork can be rubbed 2 days ahead; chill in an airtight container. Sauce, without lemon juice, can be made 2 days ahead; chill in an airtight container.

Cooks' Note: Both the rub and the sauce can be made in a food processor if desired. To make the pork in the oven, cook at 300°F in a covered Dutch oven, basting occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of pork registers 145°F (meat will be very tender but not quite falling off the bone), 6–7 hours. If you’re using a larger slow cooker, flip roast at least once and baste occasionally to keep it moist.