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Tender Spring Slow Cooker Pork Recipe Easy Homemade Meal with Fresh Veggies

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A simple and comforting slow cooker pork recipe with fresh spring vegetables that results in tender, flavorful meat and perfectly cooked veggies. Ideal for busy days and cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder or pork butt, trimmed of excess fat
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 pound green beans, trimmed
  • 1 cup sugar snap peas or fresh peas
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. In a mixing bowl, combine kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, thyme, and minced garlic. Rub this spice mix all over the pork. Optionally refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
  2. Optional: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the pork on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer the pork to the slow cooker.
  3. Prepare the veggies by peeling and chopping carrots, trimming green beans, slicing onions and celery, and rinsing peas. Spread all veggies evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  4. Place the pork on top of the veggies. In a small bowl, whisk together chicken broth, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and honey if using. Pour this mixture over the pork and veggies.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until pork is fork-tender and veggies are cooked but still have some crunch.
  6. Remove the pork and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing or shredding. Stir the veggies gently to mix in the cooking juices. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  7. Serve pork alongside the veggies, spooning some cooking juices over the top.

Notes

Optional browning of pork adds extra flavor but is not required. Keep the lid closed during cooking to maintain heat and moisture. Fresh veggies are preferred for texture; frozen can be added in last 1-2 hours if needed. To thicken sauce, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and cook on high for 15-20 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker pork, spring vegetables, easy pork recipe, tender pork, homemade meal, slow cooker dinner, fresh veggies, pork shoulder recipe

Find it online: https://avabake.com/tender-spring-slow-cooker-pork-recipe-easy-homemade-meal-with-fresh-veggies/