Slow Cooker Asian Pork with Peppers

This Slow Cooker Asian Pork with Peppers features tender, flavorful pork cooked in a rich hoisin and peanut butter sauce with crisp-tender bell peppers and green onions. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or family-friendly meals, this slow cooker recipe delivers bold Asian-inspired flavors with minimal effort. Serve over steamed rice for a complete, hearty dish that is both quick and convenient.

Ingredients

For the Pork

• 2 pounds pork tenderloin or sirloin tip roast (slightly over is fine)
• Olive oil, enough to coat the skillet
• ½ teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided

For the Sauce

• 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 1 heaping teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper (adjust to taste)

For the Rest

• ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups chopped red bell pepper (2 small or 1 large, cut into 1½-inch pieces)
• 6 green onions, cut into ½-inch pieces, plus extra for garnish
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 cups cooked basmati or jasmine rice

---

Instructions

Brown the Pork

1. Coat a 4-to-6 quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Cut the pork into 1½-inch pieces.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with enough olive oil to coat the bottom.
4. Add half of the pork to the skillet, season with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper, and sauté 3–4 minutes until browned (do not cook through).
5. Transfer browned pork to the slow cooker and repeat with the remaining pork, salt, and pepper.

Prepare the Sauce

1. In a small bowl, combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, peanut butter, garlic, cumin, salt, and crushed red pepper.
2. Pour the sauce and chicken broth over the pork in the slow cooker and stir to combine.

Cook the Pork

1. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours, until the pork is fork-tender.

Add Vegetables

1. About 45 minutes before the end of cooking, stir in the red bell peppers and sprinkle the green onions over the top.
2. Cover and continue cooking on low until the pork is very tender and vegetables are cooked to your liking.

Thicken the Sauce

1. Mix water and cornstarch in a small bowl, then pour into the slow cooker.
2. Cook uncovered for 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

Serve

Serve the pork and peppers over cooked rice. Garnish with additional green onions.

---

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This slow cooker Asian pork is packed with bold flavors from hoisin sauce, peanut butter, and lime. Tender pork combines with crisp-tender bell peppers for a simple, hands-off meal perfect for weeknights or meal prep. The thick, savory sauce is ideal for serving over rice, making it a hearty, satisfying dish.

---

Tips

• Cut pork evenly to ensure consistent cooking.
• Brown the pork for extra flavor, but don’t worry about cooking it through in the skillet.
• Adjust crushed red pepper to control the spice level.
• Use fresh green onions at the end for bright flavor and garnish.

---

Variations and Substitutions

• Protein: Substitute pork with chicken thighs, beef strips, or tofu for a different variation.
• Vegetables: Add bell peppers of different colors, snap peas, or carrots.
• Sauce: Replace peanut butter with almond butter for a subtle nutty flavor.
• Rice: Serve over brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a healthier option.

---

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the pork and sauce, store in the fridge, and cook in the slow cooker when ready.

Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes. Freeze pork and sauce without the vegetables for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Can I use pre-cut pork?
Yes, but adjust cooking time slightly depending on the size of the pieces.

Can I make this spicy?
Add more crushed red pepper, chili flakes, or a dash of sriracha.

---

Serving

Serve over steamed rice with extra green onions. Optional sides include:

• Steamed or roasted vegetables
• Asian-style slaw
• Stir-fried noodles

---

Suggestions

• Garnish with sesame seeds for extra texture and flavor.
• Add fresh cilantro for a fresh, bright finish.
• Double the sauce if you like more for dipping or drizzling over rice