Slow Cooker Pork Recipes

Guide to Slow Cooking Pork

Pork is one of the most versatile meats to use with your slow cooker. Fresh meat can be pot roasted and stewed, while processed products like sausage and bacon work great in soups, casseroles, and bean dishes. Virtually all cuts of pork can be slow cooked. However, a few pieces are better suited to other cooking methods. For example, loin joints are better for roasting in the oven than in slow cooker recipes. Similarly, ham legs are too large to be cooked in a slow cooker. While these cuts can be separated for the slow cooker, it is best to prepare them in the oven. The remaining pork pieces, including neck ends, tenderloins, shoulders, and fillets, are great for the slow cooker.

In addition to traditional meat cuts, pork is also known for its offal pieces. These are non-meat body parts, which include the pig’s organs, tail, feat, and head. While these pieces have received a bad reputation from many westerners, offal is actually quite flavourful and rich. When prepared in a slow cooker, the flavours of these pieces become exceptional. A pig’s heart, tongue, and feet are especially great when slow cooked as they become juicy and tender.

Pork is widely eaten around the world. This is due, in part, to its ability to compliment a variety of flavours. Most commonly, pork is paired with acidic compliments, like vinegar, and fruity components, like pineapple, cranberries, and apricots. In terms of spices, pork goes great with earthy herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme. It also goes well with hearty, rustic vegetables like cabbage, carrots, celery, and broccoli.

Try our slow cooker pork recipes

General Slow Cooker Tips

• One hour on HIGH is equal to two hours on LOW.
• The LOW setting is about 77C, and the HIGH setting is about 88-93C. Note that both of these temps are well above the minimum safe temperature of 60C.
• Only fill the slow cooker one half to two thirds full. The foods will not cook properly if the appliance is filled to the brim. If the food and liquid level is lower, the foods will cook too quickly.
• Foods cooked on the bottom of the slow cooker cook faster and will be moister because they are immersed in the simmering liquid.
• Don't lift the lid to stir, especially if you are cooking on the low setting. Each time you lift the lid, enough heat will escape that the cooking time should be extended by 20 minutes to half an hour.

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