• Prepare the pork by removing any string around the roast. Cut away any large bits of fat around the outside of the roast and discard. Season pork with a bit of salt and pepper.
• Prepare the sauce by combining all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and stirring well to combine. Set aside.
• For the oven method, preheat the oven to 350F. (not fan-assisted)
• Heat the cooking oil in a large Dutch oven (for the oven method) or heavy skillet (for the slow cooker method) on the stovetop over medium heat. Brown the pork well on all sides, then remove to a plate. If there is a lot of fat/liquid in the pot, remove and discard all but 1 Tablespoon of the fat. Add the onion to the pan and cook, stirring, until softened. Proceed with the instructions below, depending on your preferred cooking method.
• Tip! I've found that pork shoulders can give off varying amounts of liquid as they cook, but I've tried to keep the added liquid to a minimum, to keep from watering down the sauce too much. So that said, for the oven method, keep an eye on the liquid level and add additional water at any time if you feel it is getting low (if it's getting syrupy at any time, definitely add some water).

Oven Method:

• Return pork to the pot with the onions (along with any juices on the plate). Pour the sauce over-top of the meat. Place the lid on the Dutch oven and place in the preheated oven. Set the timer for 45 minutes.
• After 45 minutes of cooking, remove the pot from the oven and flip the meat over. Add 1/4 cup water to the pot. Replace the lid and place the pot back into the oven for another 45 minutes. Remove the pot again and flip the pork. Again, add 1/4 cup water to the pot. Replace the lid and return to the oven for an additional 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and check the pork. If it will split apart easily with a fork, it's time to add the beans. If not, cover and return to the oven for an additional 15-30 minutes or until the pork is falling apart.
• Remove the pork to a plate (it may fall apart into large chunks, but that's ok).
• Add the drained and rinsed canned beans to the pot with the pork. Stir to combine the beans with the sauce. If you feel a little more liquid is needed, add a bit more water to the pot. Return the chunks of pork to the pot.
• Return the pot to the oven, UNCOVERED, and bake for an additional 30-45 minutes, or a bit longer, if you'd like to really thicken it up.

Slow Cooker Method:

• Spoon the softened onions into the slow cooker and place the seared pork and any juices. Pour prepared sauce over-top of the pork. Add 1/2 cup water to the pot. Cover and cook on low for 6 - 7 hours on LOW. If you like, you can flip the pork part way through cooking. Cook the pork to the point that it easily falls apart when pulled with a fork. At that point, remove the pork to a plate (it may fall apart into large chunks, but that's ok).
• Add the drained and rinsed canned beans to the pot with the sauce. Stir to combine. If you feel a little more liquid is needed, add a splash of water. Return the pork to the cooker. Continue cooking in the slow-cooker, UNCOVERED, until the sauce thickens, about 30 minutes more.
• For both the oven and slow cooker methods, if you feel you'd like to thicken the sauce a touch, mix together a slurry of 1 Tablespoon cornstarch with 2 Tablespoons water. Add to the sauce, a bit at a time, stirring and cooking, until the desired thickness is reached.
• Taste the sauce and add additional salt and pepper, as needed.