When I know the afternoon is going to fill up fast, this 3-ingredient slow cooker pork dinner is one of those reliable back-pocket meals that saves the day. Raw pork cubed steaks turn tender as they cook low and slow in a simple sauce, giving you a hearty, comforting main dish with barely any prep. It has that classic Midwestern weeknight practicality I always come back to, especially when I want dinner done long before everyone starts thinking about snacks, backyard chairs, and evening fireworks.
This dish is especially good with mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or white rice to catch all of the savory-sweet glaze. For something lighter on the side, add green beans, corn on the cob, or a simple cucumber salad. If you are serving it for a July gathering, a pan of baked beans and cold watermelon round things out nicely.
3-Ingredient Slow Cooker July Comfort
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 raw pork cubed steaks
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick spray if desired, then lay the raw pork cubed steaks in an even layer in the bottom.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the brown gravy mix and barbecue sauce until combined, then pour the mixture evenly over the pork.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the pork is very tender and cooked through.
4. Spoon some of the sauce over the top before serving, and serve hot with mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice.
Variations & Tips
Sweeter glaze: If you like a sweeter finish, use a honey-style barbecue sauce. It gives the pork a stickier, richer coating that tastes great over rice.
Thicker sauce: For a thicker gravy-like sauce, remove the cooked pork when it is done and let the sauce sit uncovered in the warm slow cooker for a few minutes before spooning it back over the meat.
Make-ahead tip: You can stir the sauce together the night before and keep it covered in the fridge, so all you have to do in the morning is place the pork in the slow cooker and pour it over.
Easy cleanup: Slow cooker liners can make this especially convenient on busy holidays or weekends when the kitchen is already full of other dishes.
Doneness tip: Pork cubed steaks should be tender and easy to separate with a fork when ready. If they still seem firm, give them another 30 to 60 minutes on low.
