Weekends offer a rare window to slow down, turn on the slow cooker, and let something special bubble away while you juggle kids’ sport or tackle the garden. A pork scotch roast is perfect for this pace. Start it on Saturday morning, and by afternoon, you’ll have tender, fragrant meat ready for a relaxed family dinner. The bonus? Generous leftovers that transform easily into tacos, salads, or grain bowls for the busy days ahead. A punchy green olive gremolata delivers brightness and balance, proving that one low-stress cook-up can fuel flavour and wellness right through to Thursday.

Why Pork Scotch Roast Suits Weekend Cooking
Taken from the shoulder or neck, pork scotch boasts enough marbling to thrive during a long, gentle cook. Giving it the full weekend treatment—six to eight hours in the slow cooker—allows collagen to break down completely, leaving slices that are fork-tender yet sturdy enough for sandwiches later on. Because the roast is substantial, it yields multiple meals without stretching the budget, freeing up weeknights when homework, meetings, and after-school chaos take over.
A Nutrition Boost in Every Serve
Pork is a powerhouse of complete protein, delivering key amino acids for muscle repair after a Saturday park run or Sunday cycling session. It also provides B vitamins that support energy production, plus zinc for immunity as winter bugs circulate. Trim visible fat before cooking if you’d like to keep the dish leaner; partnered with colourful vegetables and whole grains, the roast sits comfortably in a balanced family menu.
Green Olive Gremolata: Freshness in Five Minutes
Classic gremolata blends parsley, garlic, and lemon zest, but a handful of diced green olives dials up both flavour and heart-friendly monounsaturated fats. Stir the ingredients together while the roast rests; the citrus and herbs cut through the pork’s richness and wake up taste buds. Stored in a small jar, any leftover gremolata makes an instant dressing for weekday lunches.
Ingredients
- 1 x 1.5 kilogram Piece pork scotch fillet
- 2 teaspoon Fennel seeds
- 2 clove Garlic (chopped)
- 2 tablespoon Fresh rosemary leaves (chopped + extra sprigs to serve)
- 1 Lemon rind (finely grated)
- 1 teaspoon Sea salt flakes
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 large Red onions (sliced)
- Creamy potato mash (to serve)
Green olive gremolata
- 1/3 cup Pitted Sicilian olives (chopped)
- 1/3 cup Flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 1 clove Garlic (finely chopped)
- 1 Lemon rind (finely grated)
Instructions
- Place pork on a board. Using kitchen string, tie pork at 3cm intervals to secure.
- Place fennel seeds, garlic, rosemary, lemon rind, salt and 1 tablespoon oil in a small food processor. Process until a coarse paste forms. Evenly rub the paste mixture into the pork.
- Heat remaining oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Add pork and cook, turning occasionally, for 10 minutes or until evenly browned. Transfer to a plate.
- Add onion to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes until softening. Transfer onions and pork to a slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or until pork is very tender.
- To make the green olive gremolata, combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Transfer pork to a board. Slice pork. Arrange pork and onions on a serving platter. Spoon over green olive gremolata. Garnish with extra rosemary sprigs. Drizzle with the hot pan juices from the slow cooker if like and serve with creamy potato mash.
Leftovers That Work Hard Mid-Week
Once the Sunday plates are cleared, shred remaining pork and portion it into airtight containers. On Monday, reheat with passata for a quick ragu over whole-wheat pasta. Tuesday could see it tucked into wholegrain wraps with coleslaw, and by Wednesday the final portion shines in a hearty fried rice with vegetables from the crisper. With minimal extra prep, the weekend’s effort keeps convenience food at bay and nutrition on track.
Choosing Ingredients Wisely
Seek out Australian pork from producers committed to high welfare and sustainable practices; clear labelling helps you support local farmers. For the gremolata, opt for brined Sicilian or Australian green olives—robust in flavour yet readily available. Fresh parsley and unwaxed lemons round out the shortlist, proving that simple, quality staples beat complicated ingredient lists every time.
Shared Tables, Easier Weeks
Building a weekend tradition around a slow-cooked pork scotch roast turns cooking into family time, fills the house with aromas that signal comfort, and sets you up with ready-made meals for the hectic days ahead. Paired with zesty green olive gremolata, the dish shows how one leisurely cook-up can deliver both indulgence and practicality—an approach perfectly suited to the rhythm of Aussie family life.
Savour a Classic Aussie Pork Scotch Roast with Olive Gremolata—Cook Once, Feast All Week