There are some days in late August when the whole house feels like it is shifting gears at once, with school papers, errands, and the supper hour all arriving faster than expected. That is when a simple slow cooker supper like this comes in mighty handy. Using just a few pantry-friendly ingredients and raw diced pork belly, this dish cooks down into tender, richly glazed bites that feel like something special, even though the work is kept to a minimum. It is the kind of practical meal that suits a busy Midwestern kitchen, where getting dinner handled early can make the whole afternoon go a sight easier.
Serve this pork belly over hot white rice, buttered egg noodles, or a pile of mashed potatoes to catch every bit of that sweet-salty glaze. For balance, I like to add something crisp and plain on the side, such as green beans, cucumber slices, or a simple cabbage slaw. If you are feeding hungry folks after school practice, a pan of warm rolls and a bowl of applesauce round things out nicely.
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker August Afternoon EaseServings: 6
2 pounds raw diced pork belly
1 cup soy sauce
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced
1. Place the diced pork belly in the slow cooker and spread it into an even layer.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, brown sugar, and minced garlic until the sugar is mostly moistened and the mixture looks like a loose sauce.
3. Pour the sauce over the pork belly, cover, and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, until the pork is very tender.
4. Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes if you want the sauce a little thicker, then gently stir and break up the pork into tender chunks before serving.
5. Spoon the pork belly and its glaze over rice, noodles, or potatoes and serve hot.
Variations & TipsAdd a little heat: If your family likes a touch of spice, stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a spoonful of chili paste with the sauce. It gives the sweet glaze a little backbone without changing the easy nature of the recipe.
Garlic shortcut: In a pinch, you can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder instead of fresh minced garlic. Fresh gives a rounder flavor, but the shortcut still makes a good dependable supper.
Skim for a lighter sauce: Pork belly naturally gives off plenty of richness as it cooks. If you would like the finished dish less rich, carefully spoon off some of the fat from the top before stirring the pork and sauce together at the end.
Make it ahead: This reheats very well, which makes it useful for packed school-week evenings. Store leftovers in the refrigerator and warm them gently on the stove or in the microwave, then serve over freshly cooked rice for an easy second meal.