If you’re looking for a dish that’s both flavorful and easy to prepare, look no further than Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork. This recipe combines tender pork shoulder with the sweetness of pineapple and a rich, savory sauce that’s perfect for serving over rice or noodles. Thanks to the slow cooker, this dish is as convenient as it is delicious, requiring minimal hands-on time and yielding mouthwatering results. Whether you’re preparing it for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork is sure to become a family favorite.

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about making Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork, from the ingredients to the step-by-step instructions. We’ll also share some tips to elevate the flavor and texture, and recommend a few related recipes you might enjoy.

Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork

There are plenty of reasons why Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork is a standout recipe. First, it combines two flavors that are perfect together: the savory richness of pork and the sweet, tropical zing of pineapple. The pineapple juice infuses the pork with its natural sweetness, while the soy sauce and brown sugar create a savory glaze that complements the meat beautifully.

Second, cooking it in the slow cooker allows the pork to become incredibly tender, absorbing the flavors of the sauce as it cooks low and slow. This method ensures a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s hard to beat. The addition of cornstarch and water at the end thickens the sauce, creating a luscious glaze that coats the pork and pineapple perfectly.

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just looking for an easy recipe to impress your family, Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork checks all the boxes: it’s flavorful, tender, and effortless to make.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork

To make Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork, you’ll need the following ingredients:

2 lbs pork shoulder, cut into chunks
1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, drained (reserve juice)
½ cup soy sauce
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water
Sliced green onions, for garnish

Why These Ingredients Work Together

The beauty of Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork lies in the harmony of its ingredients. Let’s break down how each element contributes to the dish:

Pork Shoulder: Pork shoulder is the ideal cut for slow cooking. It becomes incredibly tender and juicy after hours of cooking, which makes it the perfect base for this dish.
Pineapple: The pineapple chunks add a sweet, tropical flavor that pairs beautifully with the pork. The reserved pineapple juice is used to create the sauce, giving it an extra layer of flavor.
Soy Sauce & Brown Sugar: These two ingredients create the savory-sweet foundation of the sauce. Soy sauce gives the dish its depth and umami, while brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness.
Garlic & Ginger: Fresh garlic and ground ginger add aromatic depth and spice to the sauce, balancing the sweetness of the pineapple and brown sugar.
Cornstarch & Water: Cornstarch is used to thicken the sauce, giving it a glossy finish that clings perfectly to the pork and pineapple.
Green Onions: Freshly sliced green onions add a pop of color and a mild oniony crunch, finishing off the dish with a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory flavors.

How to Make Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork

Step 1: Prepare the Pork

Start by cutting your pork shoulder into large chunks. You want them to be about 1-2 inches in size. The smaller chunks will allow the meat to absorb more of the flavorful sauce as it cooks, ensuring that every bite is packed with taste.

Place the pork chunks into your slow cooker. This is the base of your dish, so make sure the pork is evenly distributed in the cooker for even cooking.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

In a medium bowl, combine the reserved pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, ground ginger, and black pepper. Whisk everything together until the brown sugar is dissolved and the ingredients are well-mixed. This sauce is the key to bringing out all the amazing flavors in the pork.

Pour the sauce over the pork in the slow cooker, making sure the chunks are fully coated. You don’t need to stir; the sauce will naturally spread as it cooks, soaking into the meat and pineapple.

Step 3: Slow Cook the Pork

Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The low-and-slow method will give you the most tender pork, but if you’re short on time, cooking it on high works too. You’ll know the pork is ready when it’s fork-tender and easy to shred.

As the pork cooks, the flavors will meld together, and the pineapple will break down slightly, infusing the meat with its sweetness.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce

Once the pork is tender, it’s time to thicken the sauce. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Stir until the cornstarch is fully dissolved in the water. Pour this mixture into the slow cooker and stir it into the sauce. This will help the sauce thicken and become a velvety glaze that clings to the pork.

Add the pineapple chunks to the slow cooker at this point, stirring them into the sauce. Let everything cook on high for 15-20 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and the pineapple to warm through.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Once the sauce has thickened and the pineapple chunks are heated, your Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork is ready to serve. Transfer the pork and sauce to a serving dish and garnish with freshly sliced green onions for a burst of color and freshness.

Serve your delicious Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork over steamed rice or noodles to soak up the flavorful sauce. It’s a comforting, tropical dish that’s perfect for any occasion.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork

While this recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, here are some tips to help you get the best results:

Use a Boneless Pork Shoulder: For easy cutting and cooking, opt for a boneless pork shoulder. It’s easier to cut into chunks and will cook more evenly.
Adjust Sweetness to Taste: If you prefer a sweeter dish, feel free to add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar. Conversely, if you like a more savory flavor, reduce the sugar slightly.
Add Extra Veggies: For a one-pot meal, consider adding vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Make It Spicy: If you enjoy a little heat, add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Serve with Coconut Rice: For a tropical twist, serve this dish over coconut rice instead of plain rice for an extra layer of flavor.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork is approximately 350 calories. This estimate includes the pork, sauce, and pineapple, served over a cup of steamed rice. This dish is an excellent source of protein and offers a balanced combination of savory, sweet, and tropical flavors.

More Related Recipes You Might Enjoy

If you love Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork, here are some other recipes you might want to try:

Sweet Chili Chicken – A savory-sweet dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner, with a hint of spice to balance the sweetness.
Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl – A fresh and flavorful bowl featuring juicy chicken, street corn, and creamy avocado.
Smothered Chicken with Spinach and Bacon – A rich and creamy chicken dish topped with spinach and crispy bacon.

Frequently Asked Questions about Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork

How long does slow cooker pork last?

Properly stored, slow cooker pork can last in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Be sure to place the cooled pork and sauce in an airtight container to maintain freshness and flavor. If you’d like to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave when you’re ready to enjoy it again.

How long to tenderize pork with pineapple?

Pineapple is a natural tenderizer thanks to an enzyme called bromelain. When using pineapple juice to tenderize pork, it doesn’t take long—about 2 to 4 hours is usually enough. Any longer than that, especially if you’re using fresh pineapple juice, and you risk the meat becoming overly soft or even mushy. In Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork, the cooking process incorporates pineapple flavor without overly breaking down the meat’s texture.

What does pineapple juice do to pork?

Pineapple juice works wonders for pork! It not only adds a delicious tropical sweetness but also helps tenderize the meat. Bromelain, the enzyme found in pineapple, breaks down tough muscle fibers, making the pork more tender and juicy. In Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork, pineapple juice infuses the pork with flavor while naturally softening it during the long, slow cooking process.

Can you overcook slow cooked pork?

Yes, even in a slow cooker, it’s possible to overcook pork if it’s left too long on high heat. Overcooking can cause the pork to become dry, stringy, and less flavorful. To prevent this, it’s best to stick to the recommended cooking times: 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high for perfectly tender and juicy Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork. Keeping an eye on it towards the end of the cooking time will help you catch it at its peak tenderness.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork is a perfect dish for anyone who loves savory, sweet, and tropical flavors. It’s incredibly easy to make, and the slow cooker does most of the work for you. The tender pork and thick, flavorful sauce are irresistible, and the addition of pineapple chunks gives the dish a burst of sweetness that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner or a special gathering, Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork is sure to become a go-to recipe in your cooking repertoire. Give it a try today!

Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork: Tender and Flavorful Recipe

Author: MastertheKitchen
Total Time: 6-8 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork combines tender, juicy pork chunks with sweet pineapple, savory soy sauce, and a hint of ginger for an irresistibly flavorful dish. This easy-to-make recipe requires minimal prep and slow cooking for hours of delicious flavor. Perfect for a family dinner, it’s best served over rice or noodles.

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs pork shoulder, cut into chunks
1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, drained (reserve juice)
½ cup soy sauce
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water
Sliced green onions, for garnish

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Instructions

Prepare Ingredients: Place pork chunks into the slow cooker.
Mix Sauce: In a bowl, combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and black pepper. Pour over the pork.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until pork is tender.
Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water. Stir into the slow cooker. Add pineapple chunks. Cook on high for 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Serve: Garnish with sliced green onions and enjoy over rice or noodles.

Notes

For a spicier kick, consider adding a dash of red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the sauce.
Ensure the pork is cut into evenly sized chunks for consistent cooking.
For a thicker sauce, you can adjust the cornstarch and water ratio to your preference.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6-8 hours (on low) / 3-4 hours (on high)
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 870mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 33g
Cholesterol: 85mg