Arbor Day Pork Shanks Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient. Dump fresh pork shanks straight into your slow cooker with just 3 easy add-ins for a yummy dinner your hubby will love and ask for again!
This super-easy slow cooker pork dish uses raw shanks, onions, BBQ sauce, and apple cider for tender, tasty meat. Perfect for busy days like Arbor Day—plant trees outside, then come home to a kitchen smelling amazing. No fuss, just dump and go! Serve over mashed potatoes. (50 words)
This no-hassle 4-ingredient slow cooker Arbor Day dinner fits perfect for a full day on the farm or lazy weekend. It reminds me of old Midwest family meals: toss raw pork shanks in the pot, add a quick sauce from the pantry, and let it cook slow. Arbor Day means outdoor work and big hunger, so these cheap, filling shanks with a sweet-sour glaze taste like church potlucks from my childhood. Just add the raw meat and 3 things, cover it up, and dinner’s ready with that home-cooked smell—like you slaved over it all day.
Put the soft pork over mashed potatoes or noodles so the yummy sauce soaks in good. Add green beans, slaw, or salad on the side, plus warm rolls or cornbread to scoop up the juices. For real Midwest style, add pickles, pickled beets, or homemade applesauce.
Arbor Day Pork Shanks Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient
Servings: 4
Arbor Day Pork Shanks Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient
Ingredients
-
3 to 4 pounds fresh pork shanks (about 4 big ones with lots of meat)
-
1 cup thick BBQ sauce (pick your fave from the store)
-
1/2 cup apple cider (or apple juice works too)
-
1 medium onion, cut into thick round slices
Arbor Day Pork Shanks Slow Cooke: Directions
-
Put the raw pork shanks in a single layer at the bottom of a big slow cooker. A little overlap is okay, but keep most meat flat for even cooking.
-
Spread the onion slices all over and around the pork. Let some drop to the sides so they tuck between the meat.
-
In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix the BBQ sauce and apple cider till smooth. This makes a sweet-tangy juice to keep meat juicy.
-
Pour the sauce mix evenly over the pork and onions. Make sure every bit of meat gets some. Scrape it all in with a spoon.
-
Put the lid on tight. Cook on LOW 7-9 hours, or HIGH 4-5 hours, till pork is super soft and meat pulls off the bone easy. Onions melt into the sauce.
-
Use tongs or a spoon to lift pork to a plate, keeping it whole. Spoon onions on top.
-
For thicker sauce, scoop some liquid into a pan, boil 5-10 minutes till it shrinks, then pour back over pork. Or just use sauce from the pot.
-
Taste sauce—add a tiny bit salt or more BBQ if you want. Serve hot with lots of sauce over sides!