Imagine coming home to a kitchen filled with the most incredible aroma of tender, succulent pork that practically melts in your mouth. This Slow Cooker Mongolian Pork is not just a meal—it's a culinary journey that transforms an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary feast. With minimal prep time and maximum flavor, this recipe will revolutionize your weeknight cooking and impress even the pickiest eaters in your family.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: Mongolian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder, cubed
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
Instructions
- Start by preparing the pork shoulder. Cut the pork into 1-inch cubes, ensuring that they are evenly sized for consistent cooking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Stir the mixture until the brown sugar is fully dissolved and all the ingredients are well combined.
- Add the cubed pork shoulder to the bowl and toss it in the sauce mixture until all pieces are evenly coated. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes to enhance the flavors.
- While the pork is marinating, prepare your slow cooker. If desired, you can lightly grease the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray or a small amount of oil to prevent sticking.
- Transfer the marinated pork and all the sauce from the bowl into the slow cooker. Spread the pork out evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low for 6 hours. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain an even temperature.
- After 6 hours, check the pork for tenderness. It should be fork-tender and easily shredded. If necessary, you can cook it for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your slow cooker’s performance.
- Once cooked, carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker using a slotted spoon and place it in a serving dish. If desired, you can shred the pork with two forks for easier serving.
- Stir the sauce in the slow cooker to combine any remaining juices. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can transfer it to a saucepan and simmer it on the stove for a few minutes until it reduces to your desired consistency.
- Serve the Mongolian pork hot, garnished with chopped green onions. This dish pairs well with steamed rice or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce.
Tips
- Choose the Right Cut: Pork shoulder (also called pork butt) is ideal for slow cooking due to its marbling, which ensures tender, juicy meat.
- Marinating Magic: While the recipe calls for a short 10-minute marination, for even more intense flavor, you can marinate the pork overnight in the refrigerator.
- Sauce Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with cold water and stir into the sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Meat Tenderness: Cooking on low and slow is key. Resist the urge to increase the temperature, as this can make the meat tough.
- Garnish Generously: Fresh, chopped green onions add a bright, crisp contrast to the rich, savory pork.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve over steamed jasmine rice, cauliflower rice, or with soft flour tortillas for a versatile meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 120mg
