If you’re in need of a super easy, over the top delicious, slow cooker dinner, you’re going to love this week’s recipe for Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Pork. I LOVE meals like this! I was inspired to make this when I saw that Boston Butt Pork Roast was on sale. My mind immediately went to “slow cooker” and that’s where the ideas started flowing. All of my kids LOVED this including all of my teen daughter’s friends who happened to be there when I made it. My husband loved it so much that he said it was “birthday dinner worthy” which is saying a lot!
How to Make Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Pork
I asked on my Instagram stories what everyone thought of having to brown meat first when making a slow cooker dish. 60% said they didn’t mind at all so that’s what I did when creating my Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Pork. I’m so glad I browned it first because I think it added so much flavor!
Look at those yummy browned pieces of pork! If you really have to skip this step, add some sesame oil to the sauce so that you can still incorporate that flavor. Keep in mind that I haven’t tried this without browning the meat first but I’m sure it will still be delicious.
Next Steps
I browned the pork in batches so that my pan wasn’t overcrowded. If your pan is too crowded, the meat will just steam instead of brown. When the meat is all browned and in the slow cooker, make the sauce.
The sauce is made with brown sugar, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, fresh garlic and water. It is a flavor BOMB and makes the most incredible sauce! I used 2 teaspoons of the chili garlic sauce which made it pretty spicy. If you need less spice definitely add just 1 teaspoon!
Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6. The pork turns out so tender but not quite falling apart. I love that it still has some bite to it!
The cornstarch slurry is a must in order to have a thick sauce. Once you pour the slurry in, remove the lid but leave the slow cooker on for 15 minutes. The sauce gets SO thick and perfect! Serve Sweet and Spicy Pork over rice with a veggie on the side and dinner is done!
This is going to become a “go to” recipe for y’all! What’s not to love with sweet, slightly spicy tender bites of pork served over rice? The fact that Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Pork is made in a slow cooker makes me love it even more!
Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Pork is Freezer Meal Friendly
Watch for pork roasts to go on sale and make this every time! It would also work great for a freezer meal. Just brown the pork, cool it off, add to a ziploc, pour in the sauce and freeze. I think I’ll double it and do that next time I make it…which will be very soon!
Sponsored post for Lee’s Marketplace. Items on sale the week of February 23-March 1: Bone-In Boston Butt Pork Roast
More Slow Cooker Recipes to Try
Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Pork
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 4-5 lbs Boston butt pork roast, cubed (bone and larger fat pieces removed)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
For the sauce
- 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup plus 6 tablespoons water, divided
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Garnish Ideas
- Sliced green onions or chives
- Red pepper flakes
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Place cubed pork in a large bowl. Sprinkle with ground ginger, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet to medium-high. Add about 1 teaspoon each of sesame and canola oil. Add about 1/3 of the pork and cook until pieces are lightly browned. Add browned pork to slow cooker. Add more oil to the skillet and continue browning pork in batches.
- Make sauce by adding hoisin, chili garlic sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and 1/2 cup water in a bowl. Whisk to combine then pour over pork. Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6.
- Make a slurry by whisking cornstarch and 6 tablespoons cold water in a small bowl until no lumps remain. Remove slow cooker lid and stir in cornstarch slurry. Leave the lid off but keep the slow cooker on for 15 minutes to thicken sauce.
- Serve pork over rice. Garnish with green onions, red pepper flakes, and/or toasted sesame seeds if desired.