Here’s a tasty, hands-off recipe for Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork—a sweet-and-savory dish perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep:
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 2–3 lbs pork shoulder or pork loin, cut into chunks
- 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, with juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 tsp ginger (optional, fresh or ground)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening sauce)
- Optional: chopped green onions or sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the pork:
Season pork chunks with salt and pepper. Optional: sear in a skillet for 2–3 minutes per side for extra flavor. - Mix sauce:
In a bowl, combine pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, and ginger. - Layer in slow cooker:
Place pork and chopped onion in the slow cooker. Pour sauce over the top and add pineapple chunks. - Cook:
Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until pork is tender and shreds easily. - Thicken sauce (optional):
Remove pork and stir cornstarch mixture into the sauce. Cook 5–10 minutes on high until thickened, then return pork to coat. - Serve:
Spoon over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Add vegetables: Bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas can be added in the last 1–2 hours of cooking.
- Make it tangier: Add a splash of rice vinegar or a little lime juice before serving.
- Pulled pork version: Let pork shred completely in the sauce for sandwiches or tacos.
This slow-cooker version makes the pork tender and flavorful while keeping the pineapple sweet and saucy—super easy and minimal cleanup!
If you want, I can also give a quick stovetop version that’s done in under 30 minutes. Do you want that version?
