Light Pork Shoulder, Potato & Carrot Herb Broth (Slow Cooker)
I’ve always loved a good clear broth soup, especially during colder months when you want something warm and comforting without a heavy cream base. This slow cooker pork shoulder soup with potatoes and carrots has become one of my favorite easy dinner recipes because the broth stays light and flavorful while the pork turns incredibly tender after hours of slow cooking. It’s simple homemade comfort food with real ingredients, and the kind of cozy slow cooker meal that makes the whole kitchen smell amazing by dinnertime.
Short description of the recipe
This Light Pork Shoulder, Potato & Carrot Herb Broth (Slow Cooker) is a cozy, gently simmered soup made with tender pork shoulder, soft potatoes, sweet carrots, garlic, herbs, and a clean chicken broth base. Everything slowly cooks together until the pork becomes fall-apart tender and the broth is deeply comforting but still light and clear.
It’s the kind of set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker meal that fills the kitchen with a warm, savory smell all day.
Why it’s good
What makes this recipe really work is the pork shoulder. It slowly breaks down during cooking and gives the broth a subtle richness without feeling heavy or greasy. The potatoes soak up all that flavor, and the carrots add just the right touch of natural sweetness.
It’s simple ingredients, but the long slow cook does all the work. Honestly, it’s one of those meals where you lift the lid and it just smells like home.
You can brown the pork first for a deeper, slightly richer broth, but even skipping that step still gives you a really clean, comforting soup.
When to serve it
This is perfect for busy weekdays, cold weather dinners, or easy Sunday meal prep. It’s also great when you want something warm and nourishing without a heavy cream base.
Serve it for:
Cozy fall or winter nights
Simple family dinners
Light lunches during the week
Meal prep (it reheats really well the next day)
A bowl of this with crusty bread on the side just hits differently when it’s chilly out.
Pork shoulder is the ultimate choice for slow cooker pork stew! Its rich marbling and connective tissue break down during slow cooking, creating tender, juicy pork packed with flavor. Unlike lean cuts, pork shoulder naturally enhances the broth, making every bite of your homemade pork stew hearty, savory, and utterly satisfying. Paired with potatoes, carrots, celery, and aromatic herbs like Herbs de Provence, this slow-cooked pork stew becomes a comforting, family-friendly meal everyone will love.
When it comes to broth, the type you choose changes the stew’s character. A clear broth pork stew keeps the flavors of tender pork and fresh vegetables light and vibrant, perfect for an easy, wholesome meal. Thick broth stews, on the other hand, are richer and more indulgent, often using flour, starch, or pureed vegetables for extra body. My slow cooker pork shoulder stew uses a clear, flavorful chicken broth, making it a nourishing, homemade pork soup that pairs beautifully with crusty or focaccia bread for the ultimate cozy dinner.
Warm, cozy, and packed with flavor—this slow cooker pork shoulder stew is my own recipe creation and an absolute comfort food favorite. Tender pork shoulder, hearty potatoes, coarsely chopped carrots, celery, and fragrant herbs like Herbs de Provence and Italian seasoning simmer together in a light, savory chicken broth. This homemade pork stew is perfect for cozy dinners, easy weeknight meals, or anytime you crave a hearty, nourishing bowl of soup.
Pro tip: Sear the pork shoulder first for extra depth of flavor and a gorgeous golden color. Keep the vegetables chunky so they stay perfectly tender after hours in the slow cooker. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil for a bright, fresh touch. Served with crusty bread or on its own, this slow cooker pork stew is an easy, flavorful, and irresistible dish you’ll want to make again and again.
This slow cooker pork shoulder stew is even more delicious when paired with warm, homemade focaccia bread. The soft, flavorful bread is perfect for soaking up the light, savory broth and adds a satisfying touch to every bite. You can try my easy focaccia bread recipe to enjoy alongside the stew—check it out here for step-by-step instructions and tips to make it perfectly golden and fluffy.
This slow cooker pork shoulder stew is a hearty, flavorful, and comforting homemade meal that’s perfect for cozy dinners or easy weeknight cooking. Packed with tender pork, potatoes, carrots, celery, and aromatic herbs simmered in a light, savory chicken broth, it’s a delicious twist on classic pork soup. Serve it with crusty bread or my homemade focaccia recipe for the ultimate comforting bowl of soup. Easy to make, full of flavor, and loved by family and friends, this homemade pork stew is a recipe you’ll return to again and again.
Light Pork Shoulder, Potato & Carrot Herb Broth (Slow Cooker)
Equipment
- Slow cooker (Crockpot or similar, 6–8 quart recommended)
- Large skillet (optional, for browning pork)
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or ladle
- Ladle (for serving)
- Small bowl (for skimming fat, optional)
Ingredients
- 1 ½-2 lbs pork shoulder trimmed and cut into 1–1.5" cubes
- 2 900ml chicken broth boxed cartons - about 8 cups
- ¾ cup onion white and diced
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp ginger fresh and minced (or ½ tsp ground ginger)
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 potatoes medium , peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 carrots large, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 2-3 cloves whole
- 1 tsp Herbs de Provence
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 3 bay leaves
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or dill for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Optional browning (adds extra flavor)
- Lightly sear the pork cubes in a skillet with a little oil until just golden on the edges. Not required, but it does deepen the flavor a bit.
Add everything to slow cooker
- Place pork, onion, garlic, ginger, celery, potatoes, and carrots into the slow cooker. Add cloves, Herbs de Provence, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves. Pour in chicken broth.
Slow cook
- Low: 7–8 hours
- High: 4–5 hours
- Cook until pork is very tender and vegetables are cooked through but not mushy.
Finish the broth
- Remove bay leaves and whole cloves. Skim any excess fat from the surface if needed. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
Serve
- Ladle into bowls and top with fresh parsley or dill for a bright finish. Serve warm with crusty bread if you like.
Notes
- Pork shoulder is one of the best cuts for slow cooker soup because it becomes incredibly tender while adding rich flavor to the broth without needing cream or heavy ingredients.
- For a deeper, more savory slow cooker pork broth, lightly brown the pork cubes before adding them to the crockpot. It adds extra flavor but isn’t required.
- Cut the potatoes and carrots into larger chunks so they hold their shape during the long cooking time. Smaller pieces can become too soft.
- This light pork shoulder soup tastes even better the next day after the herbs and broth have had more time to develop flavor.
- If you prefer a cleaner, lighter broth, skim excess fat from the top before serving.
- Yukon Gold potatoes work especially well in this recipe because they stay creamy without falling apart.
- Fresh parsley or dill added at the end brightens the broth and gives the soup a fresh homemade flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The soup reheats beautifully for easy lunches or meal prep dinners.
- This cozy slow cooker pork and vegetable soup is perfect for cold weather meals, busy weeknights, or simple family dinners.
Nutrition
Ellen Britt
Hi, I’m Ellen — a passionate home cook dedicated to creating easy, flavorful recipes inspired by real-life cooking and shared family traditions. Every recipe on this site is a true collaboration, developed and tested together in our kitchen to ensure it’s reliable, simple to follow, and absolutely delicious.