Fall is here, and as the days get shorter, the temperature gets colder, and the nights get fuller with after-school activities, the slow cooker once again becomes my go-to partner in the kitchen for getting my family fed.
This Pulled Pork Stew is one of those fantastic meals that you just toss everything into the slow cooker in the morning, set it, and forget it. If you have a slow cooker that automatically turns to warm when the cooking time is done, then you don’t even have to worry if you’re running late getting home, which is always an added bonus.
Make it a meal by serving with a crusty loaf of bread and a salad, but if you have a little extra time, it’s absolutely delicious with this super easy Cheddar Rosemary Beer Bread.
Ingredients
2lb boneless pork roast
2 large baking potatoes, peeled and chopped into bite-sized cubes (approx. 2 cups)
2-4 carrots, peeled and sliced (approx. 1 ½ - 2 cups)
2 celery stalks, sliced (approx. 1 cup)
1 medium onion, peeled and sliced (I slice in big chunks so the kids can pick them out)
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained (approx. 796mL)
¾ cup beef broth (or red wine if you happen to have a bottle open)
1 tsp salt
1 ½ tsp Italian seasoning
pepper to taste
3 tbsp. flour
¼ cup lukewarm tap water
Directions
Put all ingredients in the slow cooker except flour and water.
Cook on low for 8 hours.
Remove lid (careful it’s hot!) and using 2 forks, shred pork and stir until combined.
Mix water and flour together until smooth, then slowly pour into the stew stirring until combined. Replace lid and let sit on warm 15-30 more minutes (this is the perfect time to make a salad or add the dressing to the store-bought one you picked up on the way home).
Serve and enjoy!
Two of my three kids will gladly dig into a warm bowl of stew, but my littlest still hasn’t quite learned how well cold weather and hearty stew go together. For her, I’ll take some of the shredded pork and put it on smaller buns for a pulled pork slider sandwich, or cook white rice and then add a couple of scoops of the stew, pork, and the veggies she likes, and all of a sudden it become a meal she loves.
When it comes to the vegetables, I used potatoes, carrots and celery, but if you or your kids prefer different veggies you can add those as well or instead. Other options include peas, corn (yes, the frozen kind works just fine), green beans, etc…
Looking for more delicious slow cooker meals...
Try my Kid-Friendly Minestrone Soup, Turkey and Stuffing Dinner (in the slow cooker!), Chicken Noodle Soup or "roasting" an entire children in the slow cooker.
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