Can we talk about the slow cooker? It’s one of those “great-to-have-one-but-where-do-I-find-the-space” kind of kitchen tools . . . a bit like a waffle maker, really.
Several months ago, I found a huge gift-wrapped box with a big white ribbon inside a large evergreen Williams Sonoma bag. We’re talking BIG and heavy. My heart fluttered. I thought, “SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!! Ahhhhhh!!!” I convinced myself that some delightful soul threw down some money and got me a Kitchen Aid mixer (because I have been yammering on about wanting one). I don’t remember which came first—feelings of surprise or the tinge of disappointment when I tore open that wrapping paper. You guessed it, I got a slow cooker. No binge baking for me!
Okay, maybe I’m doing the slow cooker a bit of injustice. I’ve been describing it like a bridesmaid wearing a classic ugly bridesmaid dress, but I’ve come to realize how much of a gem it is. Case in point: slow cooked pork. WHOA.
I had never cooked pork that tasted so good before: soft, flavorful, melt-in-your mouth kind of good. For dinner one night, I made a batch of this Asian pulled pork. I often describe my recipes as “Asian” such and such, but what makes this pulled pork “Asian”?
soy sauce
mirin
fish sauce
sesame oil
garlic
Chinese five-spice
(Those sesame seeds I use as garnish counts, too.)
Not entirely Chinese, Japanese, or Southeast Asian, this scrumptious pulled pork does not believe in labels. And quite frankly, I don’t either . . . except when I’m tabbing my cookbooks and magazines.
This recipe calls for 2.5 pounds of pork shoulder, so expect a huge hunk of meat! I sliced the meat into 3/4″ to 1″ thick slices, and trimmed all the excess fat. To me, pork fat is great for frying, not so much for the slow cooker.
Asian Slow Cooker Pork with Zucchini Carrot & Apple Noodles
Ingredients
Pulled Pork
- 2.5 lbs (~1.15kg) pork shoulder
- 1/2 large sweet onion, chopped
- 3 1/2 cups (840ml) chicken stock
- 1/2 cup (120ml) low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup (60ml) mirin (Japanese rice wine)
- 1/4 cup (60ml) fish sauce
- 2 TBS sugar
- 1 TBS sesame oil
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Chinese five-spice
Zucchini Carrot & Apple Noodles
- 2 large zucchini, about 1.5 lbs/680g
- 4 medium carrots, about 3/4 lbs/340g
- 1 TBS olive oil
- pinch of salt
- 2 large apples
Garnish (optional)
- chopped chives
- sesame seeds
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Place the pork and onions into a slow cooker. Pour in the chicken stock, soy sauce, mirin, and fish sauce. Add the sugar, sesame oil, salt, garlic, and five spice. Set the slow cooker on low and the timer to 8 hours. Carry on with your day.
- When the pork is almost done, make noodles out of the zucchini, carrots, and apples using a spiralizer, julienne peeler, or a mandoline slicer. I spiralized the zucchini and apples, and I used a julienne peeler for the carrots.
- Heat a large pan with the olive oil. When the pan is hot, cook the zucchini and carrots for 1 to 2 minutes ONLY. Any longer will cause the zucchini noodles to get too soggy. Season with a tiny pinch of salt, and remove from heat. I immediately plated all the noodles together (including the apples) because I didn’t want the zucchini to continue cooking in the hot pan.
- When the pork is ready, take the pieces of pork out of the slow cooker. Using a fork, shred the pork. Plate the pork on top of the noodles and garnish with chives, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes.
- You’ll probably have a lot of pork left, so save the pork and broth for a yummy noodle dish!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Oh I adore my slow cooker but I do hate trying to store it. Did you eventually get your Kitchen Aid? If not, hopefully soon (christmas is coming!!!). Love the use of veggie noodles in this dish! YUM!
Lisa says
I haven’t gotten a Kitchen Aid yet!!! I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Hope you are having a lot of fun on your trip right now!!
Cassie says
This looks amazzzzing. I love slow cooker pork, I would have never thought to eat it over zoodles/coodles/aoodles!
Lisa says
Thanks, Cassie! OMG, I think coodles should be a thing now.
Rachel @ Bakerita says
This looks AMAZING!! That pork looks too tender and delicious, and I’ve never made carrot or apple noodles with my spiralizer but now I NEED too! Pinned 🙂
Lisa says
Thanks, Rachel! Just a warning, some of the apple seeds did get stuck in the blades of my spiralizer, but it still worked!
Alessandra // the foodie teen says
Love the lighting in those photos – so gorgeous! I’m loving the fall flavours too!
Lisa says
Thanks, Alessandra! I feel like shadows are perfect for giving my photos a fall feel to it.
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
I love cooking in the slow cooker this time of year when it’s starting to get chilly outside. You get to enjoy the delicious smell of what you’re cooking all day, but not have to spend all day in the kitchen! I’ll definitely be trying this recipe.
Lisa says
YES! My house smelled like all the spices I put in the slow cooker. The sesame oil smell was definitely the strongest!
Joanne says
It might not be a KitchenAid, but a slow cooker can be a real workhorse in the kitchen! Love all the fresh flavors in this meal and how you went outside the pulled pork norm with Asian flavors!
Lisa says
I am soo falling in love with my slow cooker right now!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
I LOVE my slow cooker. Such a time saver. This looks delicious and healthy! Lovely colors in this dish!
Lisa says
Thanks, Kelly!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says
Hahaha I also totally under value my slow cooker. It’s so heavy to pull out. Right now it’s living on top of my microwave on the counter collecting dust. But a chance to make this pork is making me itch to pull it out!
Lisa says
Hah, it was the same for me before I started cooking with it a few weeks ago. I tucked it in the back corner of a room, and I almost forgot I had it there!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Wow that slow cooked pork looks so soft, tender and delicious! Definitely a great recipe I need to recreate – love the accompanying vege noodles especially!
Lisa says
Thanks, Thalia! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
rachel says
this is so perfect for fall! yum!
Lisa says
Thanks, Rachel!