Sous Vide Pork Roast

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Hands-off for this Sous Vide Pork Roast cooked using a precision method for Sunday dinner that is guaranteed to be tender and juicy.

Finished Sous Vide Pork Roast on a plate.

Why You'll Love Sous Vide Pork Roast

Sous Vide Pork Roast is a brilliant way to cook a pork roast. The sous vide method ensures every bite stays juicy and tender.

And... guess what? This recipe is nearly completely hands-off.

Season it. Seal it. Submerge it. Set it. Come back in a few hours. Eat it.

What is Sous Vide Cooking?

The Sous Vide method of cooking uses a heated water bath at an exact temperature for an extended period of time and never exceeds the ideal temperature.

This method is perfect for cooking large or small cuts of meat, with NO RISK of overcooking it.

The long cooking time is helpful in breaking down the meat's connective tissue that can sometimes make meat a bit... tough.

BONUS: Long cooking time = more time for the flavors to fall in love with each other.

Getting started cooking Sous Vide is easy and relatively inexpensive.

Plate of Sous Vide Pork Roast with parsley.

Ingredients for Sous Vide Pork Roast

Just a few ingredients are needed to create this recipe:

3 to 4 pound pork roast. I used a pork shoulder roast for this one, but I also like to use a fresh ham roast or pork butt.
Seasoning of your choice - I wanted a sliced Sunday Roast kind of recipe this time, so I went with a simple mix of Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and fresh thyme.

How to Make Sous Vide Pork Roast

Season: Rub the seasonings evenly over the pork roast, pressing it in until it adheres.

Place & Set: Place pork roast in a sous vide-safe vacuum-sealer bag.

Set your sous vide to 145°F for sliceable but tender pork or 165°F for more traditionally textured pulled pork

When the bath is at temperature, add the sealed bag with pork.

Cook: Allow the pork roast to cook for 18 to 24 hours. (If desired, the pork can be refrigerated for up to 1 week before finishing.)

Sear: Reverse sear in the oven under the broiler to brown and finish. Alternatively, give it a quick sear the outside over high heat in an iron skillet, as done in Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin.

FAQ

How long does it take to sous vide a pork roast?

It takes 18 to 24 hours to achieve a tender, pull apart pork roast.

What temperature should pork roast be cooked to sous vide?

Heat the sous vide water bath to 145℉ degrees for a sliced roast finish. 165℉ for a pulled pork finish.

How do I store sous vide pork roast?

You can store the cooked pork roast in the vacuum sealer bag in the fridge for 3 to 5 days before reverse searing it.

Store leftovers in the fridge and use within 3-4 days.

Other Sous Vide Recipes to Try

Sous vide is a fantastic cooking technique. Put that tool to work and try these well-tested recipes, too.

Tips for Sous Vide Cooking 💭

Make sure you get all the air out of your sous vide bag. Use the water displacement method if using a zip-top freezer bag.
If your sealed bag floats, find a way to weigh it down - a wet towel will work. I used a spoon wedged in between the handles.
Dry the pork roast with paper towels before reverse searing it under the broiler. Extra moisture is not your friend when searing.
The oven should be very hot when reverse-searing the pork roast - Broil setting works nicely.
Don't overcook the pork when searing. Set your timer for 1 minute and then turn it a quarter turn. Repeat.

Which cut of pork roast should I choose for Sous Vide Pork Roast?

I used a pork shoulder roast for this one, but I also like to use a fresh ham roast, pork loin roast, or pork butt.

Variations

Sous Vide Pulled Pork - If you want a BBQ flavor with more of a pulled pork finish, use your favorite BBQ rub, splash in some liquid smoke, and finish on the grill.

Instant Pot used to make Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin.

Equipment 🔪

Instant Pot with Sous Vide setting: My Instant Pot Aura Pro has proven to have many uses in my kitchen. The specific Instant Pot I have has been discontinued, but I found the Instant Pot Max to be similar, and it has a sous vide setting.

Sous Vide Machine and Insulated Container: Immersion circulators are relatively low cost and easily found online.

Vacuum Sealer (Optional): I have a vacuum sealer from wayyyyyy back (like the 1990s). If you have one, use it to seal your pork roast. If you don't have one, just use a high-quality freezer resealable bag and squeeze all the air out using the water displacement method.

What to Serve with Sous Vide Pork Roast

Who doesn't love mashed potatoes with a roast? These sides make a perfect pork roast meal:

Share the Love

Lastly, if you tried Sous Vide Pork Roast following this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or rating!

I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.

And, of course, if you make this recipe, tag me on Instagram! Seeing your photos is my favorite thing!

Chuckie Hessong