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This slow cooker cranberry pork recipe is one that everyone in our family loves! Even better? It can be made ahead into a freezer meal for busy days. It’s also an easy recipe to make both gluten and dairy free. We love to serve this dish with rice, but it can just as easily be paired with potatoes and some fresh green beans.
Cranberries
Cranberries – I just love them. Not only on Thanksgiving, either – my family enjoys them with chicken, turkey and pork all year long. In fact, in early November I make my own and can them for the year (it’s really easy!). I use apple juice to help sweeten them which cuts down on the added sugar. Today, it’s easy to find organic canned cranberries, but that wasn’t always the case; I started canning them to avoid high fructose corn syrup.
In this pork recipe, cranberries add a nice tartness, and coupled with the honey and onion, just the right amount of sweetness. Delicious!
simple ingredients
Using just a handful of ingredients, this recipe for cranberry pork is as simple as it is delicious! Instead of pork, chicken or turkey breast could also be used.
Some people prefer to brown the pork in a frying pan with a little olive oil before placing in the slow cooker. Sometimes I do, and sometimes I don’t – we don’t have a preference. For more information on the subject, Thrifty fun has an article discussing pros and cons.
same day or freeze ahead
This recipe can also be a make-ahead freezer meal. I love freeze meals; I’ll spend an afternoon prepping, and can have up to a month’s worth of meals that are ready to go for any night of the week!
To freeze ahead: Combine all cranberry pork ingredients in a gallon-sized plastic freezer bag and freeze for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in refrigerator. Add to slow cooker and cook on “low” setting for 6-8 hours.
Read the label
Although the ingredients are naturally gluten and dairy free, it’s always important to read the ingredients to be sure there are no additives, or that ingredients have not been processed with gluten or dairy.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 4-6 Pork Chops Bone-in or boneless
- 1 med Onion, sliced into rings
- 1 med Sweet pepper, sliced into rings
- 1 can 14.5 oz Whole cranberries
- 1/4 cup Honey Can substitute brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp Salt Optional
- 1/8 tsp Pepper Optional
Instructions
- Place pork chops in the bottom of the slow cooker
- Cover pork chops with onions, peppers, cranberries, honey, and seasonings
- Turn the slow cooker on low
- Cook for 6-8 hours (4 hours if on high)
- Serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!
Have you made a version of this recipe? What would you add? Let us know!
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