Name: Sweet and Tender Slow-Cooked Boneless Pork Shoulder Ribs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 9 h
Total time: 9 h 15 min
Yield: 10-12 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 7 lbs boneless pork shoulder country-style ribs; 1 large onion, sliced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 cup sweetened apple juice (or half apple sauce); 1/2 cup chicken broth; 2 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tbsp honey; 2 tbsp paprika; 2 tsp garlic powder; 2 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp dried thyme; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 3-4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks; 4-5 small potatoes, halved

Looking for a family-friendly pork recipe that's easy to prep? This slow-cooked boneless pork shoulder is tender, slightly sweet, and perfect for busy days. With a hint of apple and balanced spices, it’s a simple throw-and-go meal that you can tweak to suit your family’s taste. Serve it pulled or whole for a versatile dish that might just become a regular in your rotation!

Note: The photo has been enhanced by AI for presentation purposes. The actual roast wasn’t quite this picture-perfect! Be sure to check the comments for my thoughts and adjustments to the recipe.

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Note: The dish I made had an interesting balance of flavors, so I asked ChatGPT to tweak the recipe. The final version shared here has not been tested by me yet.

I decided to give slow-cooked pork a try, so I headed to Costco and ended up buying more than I needed—stay tuned for what happened next!

I asked ChatGPT for a recipe:

Slow cook pork roast, kid friendly, delicious and tender recipe

Apparently it remembers previous preferences which I found creepy:

Since you avoid pork, would you prefer a kid-friendly, tender roast recipe using a different protein like chicken, beef, or even turkey? Let me know your preference, and I can help create something delicious!

So I answered:

No, pork is fine

And it gave me the following recipe:

Here's a kid-friendly, slow-cooked pork roast recipe that's delicious and tender:

Slow-Cooked Pork Roast

Ingredients:

3-4 lb pork shoulder roast (or pork butt)
1 large onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup apple juice or chicken broth (optional: apple cider for a fall twist)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional)
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
3 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
4-5 small potatoes, cut into halves or quarters

Instructions:

Prepare the Pork:
- Pat the pork roast dry with a paper towel. Rub the olive oil over the roast.
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork.
Sear the Pork:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork on all sides for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. This adds extra flavor.
Slow Cook:
- Place the sliced onions, garlic, carrots, and potatoes at the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Place the seared pork on top of the vegetables.
- Pour the apple juice (or chicken broth) and apple cider vinegar over the pork.
- Optional: Brush Dijon mustard over the top of the pork for a tangy twist.
Cook:
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the pork is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
Serve:
- Shred the pork and serve with the vegetables, or slice it up for more structured servings.

Kid-Friendly Tips:

For picky eaters, the pork can be served with mashed potatoes or buttered noodles.
You can use a mild BBQ sauce for dipping if your kids like extra flavor.

This recipe should give you tender, juicy pork with a slightly sweet and savory flavor that's sure to please!

I told it what type of meat I got:

I bought shouldered strips

And it adjusted:

Here’s an easy, no-sear, "throw and forget" version of your slow-cooked pork shoulder strips:

Easy Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder Strips

Ingredients:

2-3 lbs pork shoulder strips
1 large onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup apple juice or chicken broth (optional: apple cider for extra flavor)
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional)
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
3 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
4-5 small potatoes, cut into halves or quarters

Instructions:

Layer the Ingredients:
- Place the sliced onions, garlic, carrots, and potatoes in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Lay the pork shoulder strips on top of the vegetables.
Season:
- Sprinkle the pork with brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the apple juice (or chicken broth) and apple cider vinegar over the pork.
- Optional: Brush Dijon mustard over the pork strips for extra flavor.
Cook:
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The pork will be tender and easy to shred or serve whole.
Serve:
- Serve the pork with the cooked vegetables, and enjoy!

This no-sear version saves time without sacrificing flavor, making it perfect for a busy day!

I wanted super long cooking but was scared of drying it:

will it work if I cook it for 8 hours?

It said yes:

Yes, cooking the pork shoulder strips for 8 hours on low will work perfectly! The longer cooking time will make the pork even more tender and fall-apart delicious. Just make sure the slow cooker is set to low to avoid overcooking or drying out the meat. Enjoy your "set it and forget it" meal!

I then finally got the willpower to head down to the first floor and actually check the type and size of meat:

I have 7 lbs pork shoulder country style ribs boneless please adjust

So it adjusted:

Here's an adjusted recipe for your 7 lbs of boneless pork shoulder country-style ribs:

Easy Slow-Cooked Boneless Pork Shoulder Ribs

Ingredients:

7 lbs boneless pork shoulder country-style ribs
2 large onions, sliced
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups apple juice or chicken broth (or apple cider for extra flavor)
4 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp paprika
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional)
4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
6 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
8-10 small potatoes, halved or quartered

Instructions:

Layer the Ingredients:
- Place the sliced onions, garlic, carrots, and potatoes in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Lay the boneless pork shoulder ribs on top of the vegetables.
Season:
- Sprinkle the pork with brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the apple juice (or chicken broth) and apple cider vinegar over the pork.
- Optional: Brush Dijon mustard over the pork for a tangy flavor.
Cook:
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. The ribs will be tender and easy to shred or serve whole.
Serve:
- Serve the pork with the cooked vegetables, or alongside rice or buttered noodles for a complete meal.

This recipe is perfect for a large batch, and the slow cooking will make the ribs melt-in-your-mouth tender!

I am very concerned about my extra slow cooker so I asked:

my slow cooker is not very hot and often I have had to put it on high for longer. Do you think 8 hours on low is safe, considering the amount of pork and the original cooking time which is lesser than 8?

And it responded:

If your slow cooker tends to run cooler, it’s understandable to be cautious about cooking time. For 7 lbs of pork, cooking it for 8 hours on low should generally be safe, but here are some adjustments to consider:

Monitor Temperature: If possible, check the internal temperature of the pork after about 6-7 hours. It should reach at least 145°F (63°C) for safety, but for maximum tenderness, you can aim for around 190°F (88°C), which is typical for pulled pork.
Consider Cooking on High: If your slow cooker runs cool, you could start on high for the first few hours (around 4 hours) and then switch to low for the last 2-4 hours. This way, you ensure that the pork reaches a safe temperature without risking drying out.
Check for Tenderness: After the 8 hours, if the pork isn’t fork-tender, you can always leave it on low for an additional hour or so as needed.

In summary, 8 hours on low should be fine as long as your slow cooker can maintain a safe temperature, but don't hesitate to adjust based on how your specific model performs!

At this point, I made the roast as per the last recipe. It was alright, but not great. So I made some comments and asked to adjust. Please note, I did not try this final version myself!

OK I made it. Some comments: 
1. It was too sour 
2. The vinegar gave it a weird aftertaste 
3. There was too much liquid 
4. The meat and veggie ratio was wrong- too many veggies 
5. I used unsweetened apple juice which might have been less than perfect 
6. Because there was so much meat, it wasn't enough to sprinkle the top with the spices and brush with mustard 
7. I don't think the mustard went well with the dish This was not very child friendly, until my husband fried the meat, pulled, with some onions. 
Please adjust the recipe using my comments. I want you to adjust the recipe using my comments please. Make it more delicious, possibly sweeter.

And it responded:

Here’s an adjusted recipe based on your feedback, with a focus on making it more balanced, sweeter, and child-friendly:

Servings: 10-12 servings

Calories per Serving: Approximately 350-400 calories per serving

Total Time: 9 hours

Sweet and Tender Slow-Cooked Boneless Pork Shoulder Ribs

Ingredients:

7 lbs boneless pork shoulder country-style ribs
1 large onion, sliced (reduce veggies)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup sweetened apple juice (or substitute half with apple sauce for a thicker consistency)
1/2 cup chicken broth (reduce liquid to avoid excess)
2 tbsp brown sugar (increase sweetness)
1 tbsp honey (adds natural sweetness and balances tart flavors)
2 tbsp paprika
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (reduce for less acidity)
3-4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks (reduce veggie quantity)
4-5 small potatoes, halved (reduce quantity)

Instructions:

Layer the Ingredients:
- Place half of the sliced onions and garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Lay the pork shoulder ribs on top of the onions.
Season Generously:
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, honey, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Rub the spice mixture evenly over the pork, ensuring it’s well coated. You may want to double the spice mix for this larger portion of meat.
Add Liquids:
- Pour the sweetened apple juice and chicken broth around the pork (not over it). Drizzle apple cider vinegar lightly (to reduce aftertaste).
- Add the remaining onions and garlic on top of the pork.
Cook:
- Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours, then reduce to low for another 3-4 hours. Check the tenderness after the first 7 hours.
- If too much liquid accumulates, you can ladle some out during the last hour.
Serve:
- Shred the pork and serve with the tender vegetables or lightly pan-fry the shredded pork with onions for a crispy finish, as your husband did, which might appeal more to kids.