There are a lot of people on the Internet who use their crock-pot slow cookers to save a lot of time. This question is surprisingly popular:
There’s a lot of talk about this issue, and one reader even asked a great question about it on our post for 3-Ingredient Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos. We know this subject is very controversial and causes a lot of confusion. That’s why we wanted to clear up some misunderstandings and point you in the direction of safe, trustworthy information sources.
This question really has two parts: 1) Can meat that has been frozen be cooked in a crock pot? and 2) Should meat be cooked this way?
You’ve probably heard people say that it’s fine to put frozen meat straight into the crock pot if you’re like us. Maybe you’ve even tried it (and lived to tell the tale!). For slow cooker recipes, there are an amazingly large number of them that call for frozen meat.
The real issue is whether cooking frozen meat in the crock-pot is safe. Reputable cooking sites, cookbooks and food safety resources agree that it’s not a good idea. As much as a lot of people say it worked out fine for them, you should still not do it.
One reason is that slow cookers don’t always cook frozen meat fast or evenly enough to make it safe (above 140°F). A lot of time will likely be spent with your meat in the danger zone (40°F to 140°F), which is perfect for bacteria to grow. Not yummy … or safe!.
This can be a big problem for older people, pregnant women, kids, and people whose immune systems aren’t working well (these are groups that we think make up about 2020% of the population).
People argue in online chats about a lot of different factors that they say can affect how fast a crock-pot cooks frozen meat. These include the heat setting, the age, the model, the size, the amount of liquid in the recipe, the temperature of the other ingredients when you start cooking, the temperature of the crock-pot itself, and so on. There are way too many variables. In the end, there’s no way to know for sure that your recipe will be both tasty and safe to eat.
We wouldn’t put our families through that, and we don’t think you should either.
Instead, thaw your meat over a day or two in the temperature-safe zone of your refrigerator. If you didn’t plan ahead (oh no, we’ve all been there!), use the defrost setting on your microwave to slowly thaw the meat. Make sure to check on it and turn it so that different parts don’t cook while others stay frozen, and then put it in the crock-pot right away to start cooking it and quickly bring it to a safe temperature.
Putting in that little extra work could keep you and your family from getting food poisoning. We think that’s well worth it!.
There are many of you who will say they have used frozen meat for years without harm. (Remember – we said this is quite the hotbed of debate, and we’re expecting plenty of controversy. But after Gretchen’s master’s-level food safety classes, Shelley’s work experience in professional and cooking school kitchens, and all of our research, we’re sure you’re taking a risk that you don’t need to take. So, all of our slow cooker recipes start with meats that are either fresh or thawed. We just want you to know everything you need to know about this.
Pork shoulder, also known as pork butt, is an ideal cut of meat for slow cooking in a crockpot. It’s flavorful, inexpensive, and becomes fall-off-the-bone tender when cooked low and slow. However, many home cooks wonder if you can safely cook frozen pork shoulder in the crockpot. The short answer is yes – with a few caveats.
Can You Put Frozen Pork Shoulder in a Crockpot?
You absolutely can put frozen pork shoulder or pork butt in the crockpot. However, it will take longer to cook than thawed pork shoulder. The reason is that the frozen meat will act as a heat sink at first, absorbing heat from the crockpot before it begins to defrost and cook through.
How much extra time does frozen pork shoulder need? Expect it to take about 50% longer compared to cooking thawed pork shoulder So if a recipe calls for 8 hours on low for thawed pork, increase cook time to 12 hours for frozen
Tips for Cooking Frozen Pork Shoulder in the Crockpot
Cooking frozen pork shoulder in the crockpot is easy but following these tips will help ensure it turns out perfectly cooked and delicious
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Use a thermometer – Investing in a good digital meat thermometer is a must. Pork shoulder is safely cooked and fork tender around 200°F. Tracking the internal temp will allow you to determine when the pork is done regardless of whether you started with it frozen or thawed.
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If you’re not going to sear the pork shoulder before putting it in the crockpot, don’t do it. The long cook time is sufficient to fully cook and tenderize the meat. Skipping a sear makes things easier when working with frozen pork.
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Cut it in half – A full pork shoulder can be very large, around 5 pounds or more. Cutting the frozen pork in half allows it to defrost and cook more quickly in the crockpot.
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Elevate it – Placing frozen pork shoulder directly on the crockpot insert can slow cooking. Elevate the pork on top of veggies or a rack to promote air flow and faster heating.
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Add liquid – Frozen meat releases little natural juice at first, so include broth, barbecue sauce, or other liquid to prevent the pork from drying out. About 1 cup per pound of meat is sufficient.
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Cook longer – As mentioned above, frozen pork shoulder will likely need about 50% more time to become fork tender than thawed. Give it the extra time it needs.
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Shred and serve – Pork shoulder cooks up incredibly tender. Shred it after cooking to make it the star of tacos, sandwiches, nachos, and more.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cooking Frozen Pork Shoulder in the Crockpot
Follow these simple steps for foolproof frozen pork shoulder cooked to perfection in the slow cooker:
1. Prepare the pork
- Purchase a boneless pork shoulder roast about 3-5 pounds. Larger cuts can be trimmed and cut in half.
- Remove any external packaging. Do not thaw the pork.
2. Prep the crockpot
- Grease the crockpot lightly with cooking spray or oil.
- Add 1 cup of chicken broth, barbecue sauce, salsa, or other braising liquid.
3. Add seasoning
- Generously season all over with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, and other favorite spices.
4. Put pork in crockpot
- Place seasoned frozen pork directly into the slow cooker.
- For better heat circulation, prop pork up on veggies like onion and carrots.
5. Cook on low
- Cover and cook for 50-75% longer than thawed pork shoulder would take.
- For a 3 pound roast, cook 10-12 hours on low or 5-6 hours on high.
**6. Check temperature **
- Pork is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 195-205°F.
7. Shred and serve pork
- Use forks to shred up the ultra tender pork shoulder.
- Pile high on buns or tortillas, or serve over rice. Enjoy!
Tips for Handling Leftover Crockpot Pork Shoulder
Cooked pork shoulder makes great leftovers. Here are a few serving ideas:
- Make carnitas by crisping shredded pork in the skillet with onion and jalapeno.
- Toss with barbecue sauce and pile on toasted rolls for pulled pork sandwiches.
- Stir shredded pork into any number of soups, stews, pasta dishes, and casseroles.
- Stuff cooked pork into empanadas or tamales.
- Mix with eggs and cheese for hearty breakfast burritos.
To store, allow pork to cool fully then refrigerate in an airtight container up to 4 days. Reheat gently before serving. Frozen cooked pork will keep 6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Frozen Pork Shoulder in a Crockpot
Can you put completely frozen pork shoulder in the crockpot?
Yes, you can safely cook pork shoulder straight from the freezer in the slow cooker. Just be sure to add extra cooking time.
Should you thaw frozen pork shoulder before putting in crockpot?
It is not necessary to thaw pork shoulder before putting in the crockpot. Cooking from frozen just requires more time. If you want to reduce cook time, thaw in the fridge 1-2 days before.
Is it okay to cook frozen pork butt in the crockpot?
Absolutely! Pork butt, also called Boston butt or pork shoulder, can be cooked straight from frozen in the slow cooker with excellent results.
What temperature should frozen pork shoulder reach when done?
Frozen or thawed, pork shoulder should cook to an internal temperature of 195-205°F which indicates it is fully cooked and fall off the bone tender.
How can you tell when frozen pork is done in the crockpot?
The best way to test doneness is to use a meat thermometer and check for an internal temp of around 200°F. The meat should also be very tender when poked with a fork.
Can you put a 5 pound frozen pork roast in a crockpot?
A 5 pound pork roast may be quite large for some crockpots. For best results, trim excess fat and cut larger roasts in half before cooking from frozen in the slow cooker.
How long does a 3 pound frozen pork shoulder take in a crockpot?
A good rule of thumb is to cook a 3 pound frozen pork shoulder on low for 10-12 hours or high for 5-6 hours, adding 50% cooking time versus thawed. Always check internal temp.
The Takeaway on Cooking Frozen Pork Shoulder in the Crockpot
Cooking pork shoulder straight from the freezer in your crockpot is not only doable, it’s a great hands-off way to end up with mouthwateringly tender shredded pork. The keys are allowing plenty of time for the frozen meat to defrost and cook through, elevating it off the bottom, and monitoring the internal temperature. In as little as 5-6 hours on high or 10-12 hours on low, you can enjoy delicious pulled pork sandwiches, tacos, nachos, and more. With a few simple tips, frozen pork shoulder easily transforms into a hearty, budget-friendly crowd-pleaser.
Trying to Decide What to Make in Your Slow Cooker Next? How About …
We have a different comment policy for this post than for all of our others because we’re getting a lot of very detailed questions about it. These questions need (and deserve!) thoughtful, longer, more researched, and more detailed answers from us. We will hold on to comments on this post until we can answer them as fully and carefully as we always try to in our replies. We always value your feedback and look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime, you may also find it helpful to call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). The specialists there are friendly, helpful and very knowledgable! Thanks so much, friends! And keep those comments coming!.