Quick Answer
Generally, yes you do need to add some liquid when cooking pork in a crock pot. The liquid helps to braise the pork as it cooks low and slow, keeping it moist and tender. For boneless pork loin or chops, add 1/2 to 1 cup of liquid. For bone-in cuts like pork shoulder, add 1 to 2 cups. Water, broth, juice, or wine work well. Skip adding extra liquid if the pork is cooked in a sauce.
Detailed Answer
Pork turns out incredibly moist, fall-apart tender and full of flavor when cooked low and slow in a crock pot. The key is to keep the pork bathed in liquid as it braises for hours. Here are some tips on adding liquid when cooking pork in the crock pot:
Add some liquid for moisture and braising
Yes, you typically want to add some liquid when cooking pork in the crock pot. The liquid serves two important purposes:
- Keeps pork moist – Long, slow cooking can easily dry out lean cuts of pork. The surrounding liquid keeps the meat bathed in moisture.
- Braising action – As the liquid gently simmers, it braises the pork, breaking down connective tissue and resulting in fork-tender meat.
So for moist, tender pulled pork or fall-off-the-bone ribs, liquid is a must. The liquid can be water, broth, juice, wine, or even a sauce.
How much liquid to add?
As a general guideline, add the following amounts of liquid for crock pot pork recipes:
- Boneless pork loin roast, pork chops: 1⁄2 to 1 cup liquid
- Bone-in pork shoulder, spareribs, country-style ribs: 1 to 2 cups liquid
The liquid should come about 1/3 to 1/2 way up the sides of the pork. Too little and the pork may dry out. Too much and the flavor can become diluted.
What type of liquid to use?
Here are some excellent options for the braising liquid when cooking pork in a crock pot:
- Broth – Chicken, beef or vegetable broth all work well. Broth adds moisture and flavor.
- Wine – White wine pairs nicely with lighter pork. Use red wine to braise hearty pork shoulder.
- Fruit juice – Apple, orange, or pineapple juice make a nice base.
- Water – Works fine on its own or can be mixed with broth or wine.
- Marinades or sauce – No need for extra liquid if braising pork in barbecue sauce, salsa, etc.
Tips for adding liquid
Follow these tips when adding liquid to pork in the crock pot:
- Stir liquid periodically to moisten pork evenly.
- For richer flavor, use broth, wine or juice instead of just water.
- For acidic liquids like wine or juice, add a touch of sugar to balance flavor.
- Mix and match liquids – try broth with a splash of wine or juice.
- Once cooked, let pork rest in juices for rich flavor.
When you don’t need extra liquid
Adding extra liquid to the crock pot is unnecessary if:
- The pork is cooked in a sauce – Chili, barbecue sauce, etc. provide plenty of braising liquid.
- A fatty cut is used – Shoulder or ribs have enough internal fat to keep pork moist.
- Pork is cooked on a bed of veggies – Juices from peppers, onions, etc. provide moisture.
So feel free to skip the added liquid in these cases.
Choosing Liquid for Common Pork Crock Pot Recipes
Use the following liquids as a starting point when cooking these popular pork dishes in a slow cooker:
| Pork Crock Pot Recipe | Recommended Liquid |
|---|---|
| Pork loin roast | Chicken broth, apple juice |
| Pork chops | Onion soup mix, water |
| Pulled pork | Chicken broth, beer, cider |
| Pork carnitas | Orange juice, lime juice |
| Pork ribs | BBQ sauce, Dr. Pepper |
| Pork roast | White wine, garlic |
Of course, feel free to get creative and use your own favorite liquids too!
Tips for Cooking Moist, Tender Pork in the Crock Pot
Follow these tips for foolproof, flavorful crock pot pork every time:
- Trim excess fat to prevent greasiness
- Add flavorful liquids like wine, broth or juice
- Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours
- Use a thermometer – internal temp should reach 145°F
- Let pork rest in juices for 10-15 minutes before serving
- Shred or slice pork, then moisten with juices
- Pair rich pork with tangy bbq sauce or fresh slaw
Cooking pork low and slow results in impressive tenderness. The natural collagen melts into succulent deliciousness.
By braising the pork in flavorful liquid, you add moisture and infuse it with taste.
Common Questions about Adding Liquid when Cooking Pork in a Crock Pot
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Should I use chicken broth or pork broth?
Either chicken or pork broth work very well. Chicken broth has a more neutral flavor that pairs well with many seasonings. Pork broth adds a deeper, meatier flavor.
Can I use vegetable broth?
Yes, vegetable broth can be used to cook pork in the crockpot. For best flavor, opt for a full-bodied vegetable broth. You may want to add spices and aromatics for more flavor.
What if my pork is coming out dry?
If the cooked pork is drier than you’d like, try adding more liquid next time. Make sure liquid covers at least 1/3 of the pork. Also let pork rest in juices before serving.
Should I use water, stock or wine?
Water will work, but broth and wine add extra flavor. For the most flavor, use a mix like chicken broth with a splash of white wine.
My pork is swimming in too much liquid. What should I do?
Remove the lid and turn the slow cooker to high heat. Cook until excess liquid evaporates and thickens into a tasty sauce.
Stir occasionally and keep an eye to prevent burning. You can thicken further with cornstarch if needed.
Do I need to add liquid if I’m cooking pork in barbecue sauce?
No, barbecue sauce contains enough moisture to braise the pork. The sauce also adds plenty of flavor.
Conclusion
Adding liquid is key when cooking pork in the crock pot. About 1/2 to 2 cups of liquid keeps the pork moist and imparts flavor as it braises. Opt for broth, wine, juice or water. Skip extra liquid if the pork is cooked in a sauce. With the right amount of flavorful liquid, the crockpot does the work for you, yielding ridiculously tender pork. Once you discover how easy and delicious crock pot pork can be, it may become your new go-to!