Dutch Oven Pork Roast

Are you obsessed with cooking one pot dishes on the stove? We are! Even if we’re just at home, a cast iron pot is just super easy to cook in. This cast iron pork roast with rice is our latest creation. (affiliate links present)

Pork Roast Cooking Time

This is going to take about 2 hours at 350 degrees in the oven. With a Instant Pot pork roast it is just 15 minutes per pound! Both are incredible, that’s just faster. BUT sometimes you want it cooked low and slow for a few hours so it’s s tender the meat just falls apart when it’s touched.

Ours is had a small bone, if you have a shoulder that is much thicker it would just take a while longer since there is a larger bone present. Other than that I would follow the rest of the recipe as far as the sauce goes. I would leave out the rice though because it might get overdone and mushy.

from Frozen

You would need to follow the same directions here but add an additional up to an hour baked. In the case of our Instant Pot frozen pork roast there is no difference in cook time believe it or not. Which option I use depends on the amount of time I have on hand really.

Ingredients

1. Dutch oven – 7 quart has been a good size for us
2. 4 lb. pork roast (if larger or smaller like our crockpot porketta roast, timing will vary)
3. Water or broth for liquid, the latter offers more flavor

Dry Rub

1. Curry powder has that boldness that you will love
2. Coriander may be a new one for you but so umami
3. Brown sugar gives you a sweetness
4. Cinnamon believe it or not tastes amazing
5. Paprika is a pop of flavor
6. Garlic powder or onion powder works too

Variations

1. throwing in a few garlic cloves when you add the rice would be good too
2. Salt and pepper to taste at the end
3. Brown rice is another optional add in mentioned below in the recipe card
4. Mango chopped adds a sweetness the kids love
5. For a pop of flavor like our Slow Cooker Pork Roast Onion Soup Mix, add a packet of that with everything else

If you didn’t want the sweetness you could skip the fruit and instead put in large chunks of veggies. Quarter taters and whole carrots that have been peeled and throw those babies in at the beginning.

Can you add vegetables?

You could! If you would rather add baby potatoes and large chunks of carrots I would go with those. Sliced onions would be a good option too. Choose those that are firmer and would take a few hours to get tender and not disintegrate before the meat is fork tender.

Do you cook pork roast fat side up or down in a Dutch oven?

You always want a nice thick flap to keep the meat moist. Even if you are going to remove once done it is best when cooking. When you set it into the pot place the fat on the top so when it cooks down it will “melt” down on to the rest of the protein. Whether with vegetables or as Mississippi pork roast, this will be the case.

What veg goes with pulled pork?

1. Carrots in pressure cooker are fast to make and healthy
2. A side of air fryer green beans gives the meal a bit of crunch
3. Okra is a great choice that can be sauteed with butter
4. air fryer corn we love with this

Just like our Instant Pot pulled pork, this is just so incredible served on slider buns is probably one of our favorite ways to eat it. Slather a bit of extra sauce on top with a side of cole slaw and OH MY.

What temperature should a pork roast be cooked to?

The National Pork Board recommends cooking pork chops, roasts, and tenderloin to an internal temp between 145 degrees and 160 degrees which would be medium. Allow it to rest at least 3 minutes to maintain juiciness. Larger cuts continue to cook as they rest too and typically increase 10 degrees while it sits. SO, you should remove it from the heat at 150 degrees F, followed by a 10 minute rest ideally.

What to make with leftovers

I personally like to add what I have left in a recipe to bring new life to in a casserole or make a fresh pot of arborio rice to serve on top of! I have also used this chopped up into a version of our dutch oven stew with potatoes, carrots and onions in a thick gravy, so good.