Effortless Elegance: Slow Cooker Pork Cacciatore Recipe

Craving a hearty, flavorful Italian-inspired meal but short on time? Look no further than this incredible Slow Cooker Pork Cacciatore recipe! Cacciatore, meaning “hunter” in Italian, traditionally refers to a dish prepared “hunter-style” with onions, tomatoes, herbs, and often mushrooms. This slow cooker version delivers all the rustic charm and deliciousness of the classic, with the added benefit of minimal effort and maximum flavor infusion. Imagine tender, juicy pork shoulder simmering for hours in a rich, savory sauce, infused with aromatic vegetables and fragrant herbs. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, weekend gatherings, or anytime you want a comforting and satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Pork Cacciatore

* Effortless: The slow cooker does all the work! Simply brown the pork, toss in the ingredients, and let it simmer to perfection.
* Flavorful: The long, slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld and deepen, creating a truly unforgettable dish.
* Tender Pork: The slow cooker transforms a relatively tough cut of pork shoulder into fall-apart-tender perfection.
* Versatile: Serve it over pasta, rice, polenta, or creamy mashed potatoes. It’s also delicious on its own with a side of crusty bread.
* Make-Ahead Friendly: You can easily prepare this dish ahead of time and reheat it when you’re ready to eat.
* Freezer-Friendly: Leftovers freeze beautifully, making it a great option for meal prepping.

Ingredients You’ll Need

* 3-4 pound Pork Shoulder (Boston Butt): This cut is ideal for slow cooking due to its higher fat content, which renders down and keeps the pork moist and tender. Boneless or bone-in works well; bone-in may add slightly more flavor.
* 2 tablespoons Olive Oil: For browning the pork and sautéing the vegetables.
* 1 large Onion, chopped: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the sauce.
* 2-3 cloves Garlic, minced: Provides a pungent and aromatic base for the cacciatore.
* 1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped: Contributes sweetness and color to the dish. You can also use yellow or orange bell pepper.
* 8 ounces Mushrooms, sliced: Cremini or white button mushrooms work well. You can also use a mix of wild mushrooms for a more complex flavor.
* 1 (28 ounce) can Crushed Tomatoes: Forms the base of the sauce.
* 1 (15 ounce) can Tomato Sauce: Adds richness and thickness to the sauce.
* 1/2 cup Dry Red Wine (optional): Enhances the flavor of the sauce. Use a dry red wine like Chianti, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon.
* 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste: Adds concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
* 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano: A classic Italian herb that adds a warm, aromatic flavor.
* 1 teaspoon Dried Basil: Another essential Italian herb that complements the oregano.
* 1/2 teaspoon Dried Thyme: Adds an earthy and slightly lemony flavor.
* 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For a touch of heat.
* Salt and Black Pepper to taste: Season to your preference.
* Fresh Parsley, chopped (for garnish): Adds a fresh and vibrant touch.

Equipment Needed

* 6-quart or larger Slow Cooker: A larger slow cooker is recommended for this amount of ingredients. A smaller slow cooker may result in overflowing.
* Large Skillet or Dutch Oven: For browning the pork.
* Cutting Board and Knife: For preparing the vegetables.
* Measuring Spoons and Cups: For accurate ingredient measurements.
* Wooden Spoon or Spatula: For stirring.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pork

Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. This will help it brown better. Season generously with salt and black pepper on all sides.

Step 2: Brown the Pork

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides until browned. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes per side. Browning the pork adds depth of flavor to the finished dish. If your pork shoulder is too large to fit in the skillet at once, brown it in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Overcrowding can lower the temperature of the pan and prevent proper browning.

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables

Remove the pork shoulder from the skillet and set aside. Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 4: Add Mushrooms and Wine (Optional)

Add the sliced mushrooms to the skillet and cook until they release their moisture and begin to brown, about 5-7 minutes. If using red wine, pour it into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This is called deglazing and adds even more flavor to the sauce. Allow the wine to simmer for a minute or two until slightly reduced.

Step 5: Transfer to the Slow Cooker

Transfer the sautéed vegetables and mushrooms to the slow cooker. Place the browned pork shoulder on top of the vegetables. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Sprinkle with dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 6: Slow Cook

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the pork is very tender and easily shreds with a fork. The exact cooking time will depend on your slow cooker and the size of the pork shoulder.

Step 7: Shred the Pork

Once the pork is cooked through, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the sauce.

Step 8: Serve

Serve the Slow Cooker Pork Cacciatore over your favorite pasta, rice, polenta, or mashed potatoes. Garnish with fresh parsley. Enjoy!

Tips for Success

* Don’t Skip the Browning: Browning the pork is crucial for developing a rich, deep flavor. It’s tempting to skip this step, but it makes a big difference in the final result.
* Adjust the Seasoning: Taste the sauce throughout the cooking process and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may need to add more salt, pepper, or herbs to your liking.
* Don’t Overcook: While it’s hard to overcook pork shoulder in a slow cooker, it’s still possible. Check the pork periodically to ensure it’s not drying out. If it seems dry, add a little bit of chicken broth or water to the slow cooker.
* Thicken the Sauce (if needed): If the sauce is too thin, you can thicken it by stirring in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
* Add More Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables to the cacciatore, such as carrots, celery, or zucchini.
* Spice it Up: For a spicier dish, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
* Use Bone-In Pork Shoulder: Using bone-in pork shoulder can add even more flavor to the dish. Just be sure to remove the bone before shredding the pork.

Serving Suggestions

* Pasta: Serve over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni. Toss the pasta with the sauce and top with grated Parmesan cheese.
* Rice: Serve over white rice, brown rice, or risotto.
* Polenta: Serve over creamy polenta for a comforting and satisfying meal.
* Mashed Potatoes: Serve over creamy mashed potatoes for a classic comfort food combination.
* Crusty Bread: Serve with a side of crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.
* Salad: Serve with a simple green salad for a complete meal.

Variations

* Chicken Cacciatore: Substitute the pork shoulder with chicken thighs or drumsticks for a chicken cacciatore.
* Venison Cacciatore: Substitute the pork shoulder with venison for a gamey and flavorful cacciatore.
* Vegetarian Cacciatore: Omit the pork and add more vegetables, such as eggplant, zucchini, and mushrooms, for a vegetarian cacciatore.
* Spicy Cacciatore: Add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicier dish.
* Wine-Free Cacciatore: Omit the red wine for a wine-free version. You can substitute it with chicken broth or vegetable broth.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

* Make-Ahead: You can prepare the Slow Cooker Pork Cacciatore up to 2 days in advance. Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.
* Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
* Freezing: Freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The texture of the sauce may change slightly after freezing and thawing, but the flavor will still be delicious.

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

(Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used.)

* Calories: Approximately 400-500 per serving
* Fat: 25-35 grams
* Saturated Fat: 10-15 grams
* Cholesterol: 100-150 mg
* Sodium: 500-700 mg
* Carbohydrates: 20-30 grams
* Fiber: 5-7 grams
* Sugar: 10-15 grams
* Protein: 30-40 grams

Recipe Card

Slow Cooker Pork Cacciatore Recipe

A hearty and flavorful Italian-inspired dish made easy in the slow cooker. Tender pork shoulder simmers in a rich tomato sauce with onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and herbs.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:

• 3-4 pound Pork Shoulder (Boston Butt)
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 large Onion, chopped
• 2-3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
• 8 ounces Mushrooms, sliced
• 1 (28 ounce) can Crushed Tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can Tomato Sauce
• 1/2 cup Dry Red Wine (optional)
• 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
• 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
• 1/2 teaspoon Dried Thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
• Salt and Black Pepper to taste
• Fresh Parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Pat the pork shoulder dry and season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork on all sides until browned.
3. Remove pork and set aside. Add onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
4. Add mushrooms and cook until browned. If using, add red wine and deglaze the pan.
5. Transfer vegetables and mushrooms to the slow cooker. Place pork on top.
6. Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Sprinkle with oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper.
7. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until pork is tender.
8. Remove pork and shred with forks. Return to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
9. Serve over pasta, rice, polenta, or mashed potatoes. Garnish with parsley.

Enjoy your delicious Slow Cooker Pork Cacciatore!

Conclusion

This Slow Cooker Pork Cacciatore recipe is a surefire way to impress your family and friends without spending hours in the kitchen. The slow cooker does all the work, transforming simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful and satisfying meal. Whether you’re serving it over pasta, rice, or creamy polenta, this dish is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. So, gather your ingredients, dust off your slow cooker, and get ready to enjoy a taste of Italy with minimal effort!