There are some July days when the heat settles in early and stays put clear through supper, and that is exactly when a slow cooker meal like this earns its keep. This simple pork shank dinner leans on just four ingredients, letting time do the hard work until the meat turns tender and rich in its own savory juices. It is the sort of practical country cooking that suits a busy summer day, with everything handled in the cool of the morning so the kitchen can stay quiet by sundown.
This is a fine supper to spoon over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or plain white rice to catch every bit of the broth. If you want something fresh alongside, sliced tomatoes, green beans, sweet corn, or a simple cucumber salad make an easy summer plate. A piece of crusty bread or warm biscuits on the side never goes to waste either, especially when there is that good slow-cooked liquid left in the pot.
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Dog Days Dinner
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 raw pork shanks, about 3 to 4 pounds total
1 packet onion soup mix
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Directions
1. Place the raw pork shanks in the slow cooker in a single snug layer if possible.
2. Sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly over the pork, then pour in the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce around and over the meat.
3. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until the pork is very tender and nearly falling off the bone.
4. Carefully transfer the pork shanks to plates or a serving platter, spoon some of the cooking broth over the top, and serve hot.
Variations & Tips
Make It Richer: If you have a little extra room in your ingredient count another day, a sliced onion tucked under the shanks adds sweetness and makes the broth fuller. For this strict four-ingredient version, the soup mix does that work nicely on its own.
For Better Browning Flavor: If you do not mind one extra pan in the morning, you can brown the pork shanks in a skillet before setting them in the slow cooker. It is not necessary, but it does add a deeper roasted flavor.
Adjust the Cooking Liquid: Pork shanks give off quite a bit of richness as they cook, so resist adding too much broth at the start. If the finished juices seem too thin, let the meat rest while you ladle the liquid into a saucepan and simmer it a few minutes on the stove.
Easy Serving Tip: These shanks are especially good over something that can hold the broth. Mashed potatoes are my first choice, but buttered noodles or rice make this a very easy, hearty meal when the day has been long.