This slow-cooker pork ribeye roast is an easy way to make a juicy and tender pork dinner! Every bite is full of flavor and lightly seasoned. This recipe only needs a few ingredients, so making dinner has never been easier!
Id be lying if I said my crockpot was not one of my favorite kitchen appliances. It’s great for days when I don’t want to stand in the kitchen and cook because it makes things so easy.
There isn’t much work to do with this easy dinner recipe other than sear the roast before slow-cooking it. After that, you can just set it and forget about it!
Putting apple and onion on the bottom of the slow cooker is a great way to give the roast extra flavor. Of course, my tasty pork roast seasoning also does a great job of adding a lot of flavor.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
Cooking a pork ribeye roast in a crock pot is one of the easiest and most foolproof ways to make this delicious cut of meat. With just a few simple ingredients and steps you can have a tender juicy pork roast that literally falls off the bone. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know to master making pork ribeye roast in the crockpot.
Benefits of Using a Slow Cooker for Pork Ribeye Roast
There are several key advantages to using a crockpot when cooking pork ribeye roast:
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Requires minimal preparation and oversight during the long cook time. You just throw in the ingredients and let it do its thing
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Maintains moisture and texture much better compared to oven roasting. The slow, moist heat breaks down connective tissue.
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Allows seasoning and aromatics to thoroughly penetrate and flavor the meat.
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Provides insanely tender pull-apart meat that shreds easily with a fork.
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Concentrates and intensifies flavors as liquids reduce over the extended cooking time.
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Frees up your oven for sides and other dishes.
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Fills the house with the mouthwatering smell of roast pork!
Tips for Selecting a Pork Ribeye Roast
When shopping for a roast to use in the crockpot, keep these tips in mind:
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Aim for a boneless roast between 3-5 lbs, an ideal size for most slow cookers.
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Look for good marbling throughout for added moisture and flavor.
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Avoid extremely lean roasts with no fat, as they can dry out.
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Opt for ribeye over other cuts like loin for the best texture.
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Make sure it feels firm and smells fresh, not sour.
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Have the butcher trim off any large excess fat or skin.
Put in the effort to select a high quality roast for the tastiest finished dish.
Preparing the Pork Ribeye Roast for the Crockpot
Proper preparation before cooking is key. Follow these steps:
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Rinse roast and pat completely dry with paper towels.
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Trim off any excess fat or silver skin.
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Rub lightly with oil or mustard to aid browning.
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Generously apply salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs.
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Refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to penetrate.
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Remove roast from fridge 30 mins before cooking.
This prep ensures you end up with a moist, well-seasoned pork roast, not a dried out, bland one.
How to Cook a Pork Ribeye Roast in the Crock Pot
Now that your roast is prepped, follow these simple instructions:
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Choose a 6 qt or larger slow cooker for roast to fit.
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Place roast in cooker and add 1 cup of broth, juice or wine.
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Toss in aromatics like onions, carrots, celery, garlic.
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Cook on LOW setting for 7-8 hours until fall-apart tender.
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Use a meat thermometer to confirm 195°F internal temp.
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Remove roast to a cutting board, tent with foil and rest 10-15 mins.
The long, slow cooking followed by resting yields incredibly tender, juicy pork.
Flavoring and Seasoning Suggestions
One of the joys of crockpot cooking is how it allows the seasoning flavors to shine. Consider these tasty options:
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Fresh or dried rosemary, thyme, sage are classic herbs for pork.
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Savory spice rubs with chili powder, cumin, paprika, brown sugar.
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Sweet and tangy fruit purees like peach, pineapple, apricot.
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Bright citrus juices and zests like orange, lemon, lime.
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Sweet, spicy or smoky flavors from honey, mustard, BBQ sauce.
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Umami depth with soy sauce, fish sauce, Worcestershire.
Experiment to create your own signature seasoning blend.
Helpful Tips for Crockpot Pork Ribeye Roast Success
Follow these handy tips for the best results:
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Use a meat thermometer to verify 195°F doneness.
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Allow the cooked roast to rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.
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Add potatoes, carrots or other veggies during the last hour.
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If roast is too long, ask the butcher to cut in half.
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Add more liquid if needed during cooking to prevent drying.
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Spoon over cooking juices just before serving.
Paying attention to these small details makes a big difference!
Common Crockpot Pork Ribeye Roast Problems and Solutions
Even when using a slow cooker, you may run into a couple issues:
Problem: Pork ribeye is still tough and chewy after slow cooking.
Solution: Cook until 195°F internal temp. Cook longer if needed.
Problem: Roast is dried out and lacks moisture.
Solution: Add more liquid and don’t overcook.
Problem: Roast is underdone and not fully cooked.
Solution: Return to cooker and cook until 195°F internal temp.
Problem: Pork is bland with no flavor.
Solution: Use more spices/seasoning and fully coat roast.
Serving Your Tender Crockpot Pork Ribeye Roast
The succulent, savory pork pairs wonderfully with:
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Creamy mashed or roasted potatoes
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Glazed carrots or roasted vegetables
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Rice pilaf or buttered egg noodles
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Fresh green beans or sautéed asparagus
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Warm dinner rolls or cornbread
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A nice glass of Pinot Noir or Cabernet
You just can’t beat a beautiful sliced pork roast with all the fixings!
Repurposing Leftover Pork Ribeye Roast
Fork-tender leftover pork roast offers amazing versatility for second day meals.
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Pile into sandwiches with BBQ sauce
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Dice into salads, lettuce wraps, omelets
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Shred for tacos, burritos, quesadillas
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Mix into soups, pasta, fried rice
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Top pizzas, nachos, baked potatoes
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Fill breakfast burritos and frittatas
Get creative with the leftovers!
Cooking pork ribeye roast in the crockpot delivers incredibly moist, fall-off-the-bone meat that you just can’t duplicate in the oven. With minimal active effort, the slow cooker transforms an inexpensive cut into a mouthwatering family meal. Follow this guide for choosing the roast, proper prep work, ideal seasoning, recommended cook times, and troubleshooting any issues. You’ll gain the knowledge to make this sensational roast over and over again. Give it a try and get ready to impress your family!
How To Make Pork Roast In The Slow Cooker
Do not forget to sear the pork before putting it in the crockpot. This step gives the meat a lot of flavor! When you are ready to start, you will need a crockpot, a sharp knife to cut the apple and onion, and
As long as everyone isn’t too hungry, a 3-pound pork ribeye roast should be enough for four people.
- Heat olive oil. Put 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a cast iron or heavy-bottomed skillet and set it over medium-high heat.
- Sear the meat. Sprinkle a 3-pound pork ribeye roast with 1 tablespoon of salt and pepper, making sure to cover both sides of the meat. Then, add the pork to the hot pan and sear both sides for about two to three minutes, or until they are golden brown.
- Add to the slow cooker. In the bottom of your slow cooker, put one sliced apple, one sliced onion, and two teaspoons of minced garlic. Lay the pork roast on top of the vegetables and fruit. Sprinkle it with 1 tablespoon of pork roast seasoning.
- Cook. Add the lid and cook on high for two to three hours or low for six hours.
- Serve. Slice and serve with a side of vegetables.
This will be a well-rounded meal that your entire family will love! Enjoy!
Storing & Reheating
Keep any leftovers stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This pork roast can also be frozen for up to 6 months if put in a container that doesn’t let air in and is safe for the freezer.
You can reheat single servings of pork in the microwave and heat in 30-second intervals.
To reheat larger amounts, place the roast in a baking dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). This could take 20-30 minutes. Then, allow the pork to rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Based on the size of the roast, I like to cook my pork roasts on low heat for 6 to 8 hours. This low and slow process makes the meat incredibly tender. On the other hand, you can cook it on high for two to three hours and still get juicy pork.
The main difference between these two cuts of pork is the location from which they are cut. For a pork ribeye roast, you cut from the middle of the ribs. For a pork loin, you cut from the loin. I wrote a whole post about the difference between pork ribeye roast and pork loin if you want to learn more!
Well, it isnt completely necessary. You can still eat the pork that you cooked in the slow cooker. But searing the meat first adds a lot of rich flavor, so do it! Don’t skip this step if you want your meat to taste as good as possible!
This Crock Pot Pork Roast is SO Delicious!
FAQ
How do you keep pork roast from drying out in a crock pot?
Is it better to cook pork in a crock pot on high or low?
Is pork ribeye a good cut of meat?
Is pork ribeye roast the same as pork loin?