The First Bite That Hooked Me
The smell hit me first—sweet pineapple, salty soy sauce, and smoky pork. My neighbor brought this dish to a potluck last summer. One bite and I was obsessed. The tender meat melted, the sauce was sticky and bright. Ever wondered how you could turn a simple pork loin into something unforgettable? Now I make it monthly. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays. Try it once, and you’ll get it. What’s the last dish that surprised you this way? Share below!My Messy First Try
I burned the pork while searing it. The smoke alarm sang its angry song. But the slow cooker saved the day—five hours later, no one knew my mistake. Home cooking teaches patience. Even flops can turn into wins. The pork still shredded like a dream. The sauce covered my early blunders. Now I laugh about that day. Cooking isn’t about perfect. It’s about showing up. Have you had a kitchen fail that turned out okay?Why This Dish Works
– The ginger and pineapple cut the pork’s richness. – Slow cooking makes the meat fork-tender without drying it out. Which flavor combo surprises you most? Is it the soy sauce with fruit? For me, it’s the onion powder’s quiet magic. This dish balances sweet, salty, and smoky. Every bite has layers.A Tropical Twist on Tradition
Hawaiian pulled pork nods to luau feasts. But this version is simpler—no underground oven needed. *Did you know pineapple juice tenderizes meat?* The soy sauce adds umami, a trick from Asian cooking. It’s a global dish made easy. Poll: Would you serve this over rice or slaw?
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Boneless pork loin | 3-4 pound | |
| Vegetable oil | 1 tablespoon | |
| Kosher salt | 1 1/2 teaspoon | |
| Paprika | 1 teaspoon | |
| Onion powder | 1 teaspoon | |
| Ground ginger | 1 teaspoon | |
| Canned pineapple chunks in 100% juice | 20 ounces | |
| Light soy sauce | 1/2 cup | |
| Sweet onion, diced | 1/2 large (about ⅔ cup) | |
| Cornstarch | 1 tablespoon | |
| Cold water | 1 1/2 tablespoons |
Easy Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork
Step 1 Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Mix salt, paprika, onion powder, and ginger in a bowl. Pat pork dry with paper towels. Rub spice mix all over the meat.
Step 2 Sear pork in the hot pan until browned. Start fat-side down for 3-4 minutes per side. Dice the onion while the pork cooks. Combine soy sauce and pineapple juice in a bowl.
Step 3 Layer half the pineapple in the slow cooker. Add seared pork fat-side up. Top with remaining pineapple, onion, and sauce. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours.
Step 4 Strain cooking liquid into a saucepan. Simmer over medium-high heat. Whisk cornstarch and water, then stir into sauce. Cook until thick. Shred pork and serve with sauce. (Hard-learned tip: Patting the pork dry helps the spices stick better.) What’s your go-to slow cooker meal? Share below!
Cook Time: 5 hours Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes Yield: 8 servings Category: Dinner, Slow Cooker
3 Tasty Twists on Hawaiian Pork
Spicy Kick Add 1 tsp red pepper flakes to the spice mix. Top with sliced jalapeños before serving.
Vegetarian Swap Use jackfruit instead of pork. Cook with the same sauce and spices.
Winter Warm-Up Swap pineapple for applesauce. Add a pinch of cinnamon to the rub. Which twist would you try first? Vote in the comments!
Serving Ideas for Hawaiian Pork
Serve over steamed rice or fluffy mashed potatoes. Add a side of roasted veggies. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds. Pair with a cold lager or tropical iced tea. Both balance the sweet and savory flavors. Which would you choose tonight—rice or potatoes?
Storing and Reheating Tips
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze portions in ziplock bags for 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating. Warm pork in a skillet with a splash of water to keep it juicy. *Fun fact*: The pineapple helps tenderize the meat even more over time! Batch-cook this for easy meals—double the recipe, but keep the spice mix the same. Why this matters: Prepping ahead saves busy weeknights. Ever tried freezing this dish? Share your tips below!Troubleshooting Common Issues
Pork too dry? Cook it fat-side up and check at 4 hours. Sauce too thin? Use extra cornstarch slurry, 1 tsp at a time. Meat not shredding? Let it cook longer—low heat is key. Why this matters: Small tweaks make big flavor differences. My neighbor once added extra ginger for a zingy twist—worked like a charm! What’s your go-to fix for slow-cooker mishaps?Your Questions, Answered
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos.
Q: How far ahead can I prep this?
A: Season the pork 1 day early for deeper flavor.
Q: No pineapple juice?
A: Use orange juice plus 1 tbsp honey.
Q: Can I halve the recipe?
A: Yes! Cook time stays the same.
Q: Best side dishes?
A: Try coconut rice or crunchy slaw. Which combo sounds best to you?
Let’s Keep Cooking Together
This pork is a weeknight hero in my house. I’d love to see your twists!Tag @SpoonSway on Pinterest with your creations.
Happy cooking! —Sarah Cooper.
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Shredded Pork Loin
Description
Enjoy tender, flavorful shredded pork loin with a sweet and savory Hawaiian twist, cooked to perfection in a slow cooker.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Combine the salt, paprika, onion powder, and ginger in a bowl.
- Pat your pork loin dry with paper towels then rub in the spice mixture.
- Sear the pork in the hot pan until browned on each side, beginning the fat side down. 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
- Meanwhile, dice your onion. Then combine the soy sauce with the juice from the can of pineapple chunks, you should get about ¾ cups of juice from the can.
- Place half the pineapple chunks on the bottom of your slow cooker then place your seared pork loin on top of them with the fat side up.
- Add in the remaining pineapple, diced onion, and pour the soy sauce/pineapple juice mixture over the top.
- Cover and cook on low for 5 hours. The pork should shred easily with a fork.
- Strain the liquid from the slow cooker through a sieve into a medium saucepan over medium high heat and bring to a simmer. Reserve some pineapple chunks from the slow cooker for serving.
- Whisk the cornstarch with 1 ½ tbs cold water to make a slurry then slowly whisk it into the simmering sauce. Continue to stir gently until thickened.
- Serve the pork with the sauce and reserved pineapple chunks.
Notes
- For extra flavor, garnish with fresh cilantro or serve over steamed rice.
Pork, Hawaiian, Slow Cooker, Dinner