This Summer Sunset Bowl is the kind of dinner I lean on when I want something cozy without hovering over the stove, especially after a long, hot day when even simple cooking feels like too much. Using raw pork stir-fry strips keeps prep short, and the slow cooker does the rest, turning just a handful of ingredients into a saucy, savory bowl that feels surprisingly satisfying for so little effort.
Serve these saucy pork strips over hot cooked rice to soak up every bit of the sticky sauce, and add a simple side like steamed broccoli, snap peas, or a crisp cucumber salad for freshness. If you want to keep the summer vibe going, iced tea, lemonade, or even cold sparkling water with lime makes this an easy, relaxed meal.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Summer Sunset Bowl
Servings: 4
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds raw pork stir-fry strips
1 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup peach preserves
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
Cooked rice, for serving
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker if needed, then add the raw pork stir-fry strips. In a small bowl, stir together the barbecue sauce, soy sauce, and peach preserves until smooth, then pour the mixture over the pork. Top with the sliced red bell pepper.
2. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the pork is tender and fully cooked and the peppers are soft.
3. Stir everything well so the pork is evenly coated in the sauce. If the sauce seems thinner than you like, leave the lid off for 10 to 15 minutes on high to thicken slightly.
4. Spoon the pork and sauce over warm cooked rice and serve right away.
Variations & Tips
Make It Sweeter: If you like a more pronounced sweet-and-savory flavor, add an extra spoonful of peach preserves before cooking. It gives the sauce a fruitier finish that works really well with the pork.
Add More Veggies: Sliced onion, shredded carrots, or snap peas can stretch the meal a little further. For the best texture, add delicate vegetables closer to the end so they do not get too soft.
Meal Prep Tip: This is a great recipe to prep in the morning before work or before a day outside. You can combine the sauce ingredients in a container ahead of time, then just pour everything into the slow cooker when you are ready.
Serving Tip: Rice is the easiest base, but this also works well over brown rice, rice noodles, or even cauliflower rice if you want something a little lighter.