My mother-in-law shared this secret to keep meat from drying out. Only 4 ingredients bundled up in heavy duty foil all afternoon. It practically melts on your fork and creates its own rich gravy while

This slow cooker 4-ingredient onion soup pork roast is the kind of simple, cozy meal my Midwestern family asks for on busy weeks and Sunday afternoons alike. The secret came from my mother-in-law: wrap the pork tightly in heavy-duty foil with just a few pantry staples so it bastes in its own juices and never dries out. As it cooks low and slow, the onion soup mix and a little cream of mushroom soup turn into a rich, savory gravy that you can spoon right over the tender slices. Everything happens inside that foil bundle in the slow cooker, so cleanup is easy and the house smells amazing all afternoon.

Serve this pork roast straight from the slow cooker, opening the foil packet so everyone can see the tender meat and spoonfuls of onion gravy. It’s wonderful over creamy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or simple steamed rice to soak up all that sauce. Add an easy veggie like green beans, roasted carrots, or a tossed salad on the side. Warm dinner rolls or crusty bread are perfect for mopping up the extra gravy, and if you like, a little applesauce on the plate gives that classic comfort-food feel.

Servings: 6

1 (3–4 pound) boneless pork shoulder or pork butt roast, trimmed of excess fat

Prepare the slow cooker: Place a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil (or two sheets overlapped) inside your slow cooker, pressing it down so it lines the bottom and comes up the sides with enough overhang to fully wrap the roast. You want a big foil “pocket” that will seal tightly around the meat.

Season the roast: Place the pork roast in the center of the foil, fat side up if it has a fat cap. Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the top and sides of the roast, pressing it in lightly so it sticks.

Mix the gravy base: In a small bowl, stir together the condensed cream of mushroom soup and the water until mostly smooth. Pour this mixture over the top of the roast, letting it run down the sides so the meat is well coated.

Seal the foil packet: Bring the long sides of the foil up over the roast and fold them together several times to seal. Then fold up and crimp the ends tightly so no liquid can escape. The roast should be completely enclosed in a snug foil packet sitting inside the slow cooker.

Slow cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on LOW for 8–10 hours, or on HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the pork is very tender and easily pulls apart with a fork. Try not to open the slow cooker while it cooks so the heat and moisture stay trapped inside.

Finish and serve: Carefully open the foil packet (watch out for hot steam). The pork should be browned on top and surrounded by a thick, rich onion gravy. Transfer the roast to a cutting board and slice or shred as desired. Stir the juices and gravy inside the foil, then spoon the onion gravy over the pork. Serve warm with your favorite sides, using the extra gravy from the foil packet as a sauce.

For picky eaters, you can use cream of chicken soup instead of cream of mushroom for a milder flavor and a smoother gravy. If your family loves extra sauce, add up to 3/4 cup water instead of 1/2 cup, or stir in a spoonful of sour cream at the end for a creamier gravy. You can swap the pork shoulder for a leaner pork loin roast; just check for doneness a bit earlier and keep it wrapped tightly in foil so it stays moist. For a little sweetness, sprinkle 1–2 tablespoons of brown sugar over the roast before adding the soup mixture. If you like more onion flavor, add a thinly sliced onion on top of the roast before sealing the foil (this doesn’t change the basic 4-ingredient version; think of it as an optional add-on). To reduce salt, choose a low-sodium onion soup mix and a low-sodium condensed soup, then taste the finished gravy before adding any extra seasoning. Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or on the stovetop; just store the pork in its gravy so it stays juicy.