This 5-ingredient slow cooker ground pork is the kind of low-effort dinner that saves a busy weekday when you need something warm, filling, and dependable without standing over the stove. Using raw ground pork right in the slow cooker keeps prep minimal, and with just a few pantry staples, it turns into a savory, saucy meat mixture that works for bowls, sandwiches, or spooning over rice. It is the sort of practical dinner that feels especially useful during a packed week when you still want a homemade meal on the table.
Serve this flavorful pork over steamed white rice, brown rice, or mashed potatoes to soak up the sauce. It also works well piled onto hamburger buns for easy sandwiches, tucked into lettuce wraps for something lighter, or paired with roasted broccoli, green beans, or a simple side salad to round out the meal.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Ground Pork
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds raw ground pork
1 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
Directions
1. Add the raw ground pork to the slow cooker and break it up slightly with a spoon or spatula so the seasonings can distribute more evenly as it cooks.
2. Pour the barbecue sauce and soy sauce over the pork, then sprinkle the garlic powder and onion powder evenly across the top.
3. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until the pork is fully cooked through.
4. Remove the lid, stir well, and use a spoon or spatula to break the pork into small crumbles. If there is more liquid than you like, let it cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes to thicken slightly.
5. Serve hot over rice, on buns, or however you like, spooning some of the sauce over each portion.
Variations & Tips
Make it sweeter: If you like a sweeter sauce, stir in a tablespoon or two of brown sugar or honey near the end of cooking. This works especially well if you plan to serve the pork on sandwich buns.
Add some heat: A little crushed red pepper, sriracha, or chili garlic sauce can wake up the flavor fast. Start small, especially if you are feeding kids or anyone who prefers a milder dinner.
Serve it different ways: This pork is great for meal prep because it can become several dinners through the week. One night I like it over rice, then leftovers can go into baked potatoes, lettuce wraps, or even quesadillas for a completely different feel.
Drain if needed: Depending on the fat content of your ground pork, you may want to carefully skim off a little fat after cooking. That keeps the sauce from feeling too heavy and gives you a cleaner final texture.
Do not overcook: Ground pork can go from juicy to a bit dense if it cooks too long. Check it on the earlier end of the time range if your slow cooker runs hot, and stir once it is cooked so the sauce coats everything evenly.