My grandfather passed down this brilliant penny pinching dinner. Only 4 ingredients to make the most savory falling apart meat and veggies that will feed an entire family this month.

This slow cooker 4-ingredient pork roast and cabbage is my kind of old‑school, penny‑pinching comfort food: big flavor, tiny effort, and enough to stretch into meals all week. It’s inspired by the kind of thrifty cooking many of our grandparents relied on—taking a modest pork roast, a couple of hardy vegetables, and a pantry staple, then letting time and low heat transform everything into fall‑apart tender meat and silky vegetables in a clear, deeply savory broth. You load the pot in the morning, walk away, and by dinner you’ve got a humble, satisfying meal that tastes like it’s been tended all day, even though the slow cooker did all the work.

Serve generous spoonfuls of the pork, cabbage, carrots, and broth in shallow bowls with plenty of that savory liquid. A crusty loaf of bread or simple dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up the juices, and plain white rice or buttered egg noodles make this feel even more substantial if you’re feeding a crowd. A sharp mustard or a splash of vinegar at the table brightens the richness, and a simple green salad on the side adds a fresh counterpoint to the soft, stewed vegetables.

Servings: 8–10

3 to 4 lb boneless pork shoulder (or pork butt) roast

Layer the vegetables in the slow cooker. Place the cabbage wedges in the bottom of a large slow cooker, arranging them in a single, slightly overlapping layer. Scatter the carrot chunks over and around the cabbage so they’re nestled but not buried.

Add the pork roast. Pat the pork shoulder dry with a paper towel. Lay it directly on top of the cabbage and carrots, fat side up if there is a fat cap. Keeping the fat on top allows it to slowly baste the meat and vegetables as it cooks.

Pour in the broth. Slowly pour the chicken broth around the sides of the pork roast, trying not to wash off any natural surface seasoning on the meat. The broth should come about halfway up the sides of the roast; this level helps the pork braise gently while the vegetables simmer and soften underneath.

Cover and cook until fall-apart tender. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours. The pork is done when it easily pulls apart with a fork and the cabbage is very soft and almost translucent, with the carrots tender all the way through.

Shred the pork. Using tongs, carefully transfer the pork roast to a large bowl or cutting board. Skim off and discard any large pieces of fat. Use two forks to shred the meat into large, rustic chunks. Spoon a bit of the cooking broth over the shredded pork to keep it moist and flavorful.

Serve with the vegetables and broth. Spoon the cabbage wedges and carrot chunks onto plates or into shallow bowls, then pile the shredded pork on top or alongside. Ladle some of the clear, savory broth over everything so the meat and vegetables are lightly swimming in it. Taste and, if desired, season individual portions lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper at the table. Store leftovers with plenty of broth in the refrigerator for easy reheating throughout the week.

This recipe is intentionally bare-bones so it works as a true 4-ingredient, budget-friendly base, but there are many ways to adapt it. For a more seasoned roast, rub the pork with salt, pepper, and dried herbs (like thyme, sage, or caraway seeds) before adding it to the slow cooker. If you want a slightly richer broth without extra ingredients, sear the pork in a hot skillet until browned on all sides before placing it over the vegetables; the browned bits will deepen the flavor. You can swap part of the chicken broth for water if you’re stretching your pantry, or for a splash of apple juice to add a gentle sweetness that plays nicely with the cabbage and carrots. Leftovers reheat beautifully and can be turned into new meals: tuck the shredded pork and vegetables into rolls for sandwiches, serve over mashed potatoes, or chop everything smaller and turn it into a rustic soup by adding extra water or broth. If you prefer a leaner cut, a pork loin roast will work, but watch the timing and cook closer to the lower end so it stays moist, since it doesn’t have as much fat as shoulder.