There are days when supper needs to be simple, filling, and made from what is already sitting in the pantry, and this 4-ingredient slow cooker pork stew meat is just the kind of meal that answers that call. Using raw pork stew meat, a few everyday staples, and the steady help of a slow cooker, you get tender bites of pork in a rich, savory sauce with hardly any fuss at all. It is the sort of practical, homespun recipe that feels right at home in a Midwestern kitchen, especially on busy weekdays or cool evenings when everybody is hungry and ready for something hearty.
This stew meat is especially good spooned over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or hot rice so none of that flavorful sauce goes to waste. If you want to round out the meal, serve it with green beans, glazed carrots, corn, or a simple side salad, and do not forget a piece of warm bread or a fluffy biscuit for sopping up the juices.
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Pork Stew Meat
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds raw pork stew meat
1 packet dry onion soup mix, about 1 ounce
1 can cream of mushroom soup, 10.5 ounces
1/2 cup chicken broth
Directions
1. Lightly grease the slow cooker insert if desired, then add the raw pork stew meat in an even layer across the bottom.
2. Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the pork, then spoon the cream of mushroom soup on top and pour in the chicken broth.
3. Stir gently to coat the pork as evenly as you can, cover, and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the pork is very tender.
4. Stir once more before serving, then spoon the pork and gravy over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice.
Variations & Tips
Make it heartier: Add peeled baby carrots or cubed potatoes during the first hour of cooking if you want this to feel more like a full stew. If you do that, you may want an extra splash of broth so everything stays nicely saucy.
For a thicker gravy: If you like a sauce that is a little more substantial, remove the lid during the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking to let it reduce slightly. You can also stir in a small cornstarch slurry right at the end if needed.
Add a little color: A sprinkle of chopped parsley over the top just before serving brightens the whole dish and makes a very plain supper look a touch more special, even though the recipe stays wonderfully easy.
Watch the salt: Onion soup mix and canned soup already bring plenty of seasoning, so taste before adding any extra salt. A little black pepper at the table is often all this dish needs.
Best pork choice: Pork shoulder stew meat works especially well here because it turns tender and flavorful after a long slow cook. If your pieces are quite large, cut them into even bite-size chunks so they cook uniformly.