Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork

Tender pork shoulder slow cooked in a luscious blend of pineapple, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger delivers bold tropical flavor with minimal effort. The result? Juicy, flavorful pork that practically melts in your mouth and transforms your dinner table into a Hawaiian-inspired retreat.

This dish is as easy as it is impressive—just toss everything into your slow cooker and let it do all the work. The combination of sweet pineapple and savory pork is a hit with both kids and adults. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or feeding a hungry crowd, this slow cooker pineapple pork will become a beloved staple in your kitchen rotation.

Full Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2–3 lbs boneless pork shoulder or butt

• 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks in juice (do not drain)

• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 1 tablespoon water

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• Green onions and sesame seeds, for garnish

Directions:

1. Season the pork shoulder with salt and black pepper. Place in the slow cooker.

2. In a bowl, mix the pineapple chunks (with juice), soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.

3. Pour the mixture over the pork in the slow cooker.

4. Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the pork is fork-tender.

5. Remove the pork and shred it with two forks.

6. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry.

7. Pour the slurry into the slow cooker and stir to thicken the sauce (allow 10–15 minutes on HIGH).

8. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir to coat with the thickened sauce.

9. Serve hot over rice or with steamed vegetables. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 8 hours | Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
Kcal: 390 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

Introduction to Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork

Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork is a culinary celebration of sweet and savory flavors wrapped in the ease and convenience of slow cooking. This dish pairs juicy pork shoulder with tangy pineapple, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic to create a mouthwatering meal that’s full of tropical flair. It’s the perfect blend of comfort and excitement—ideal for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or weekend gatherings when you want to serve something satisfying yet unique.

This slow-cooked dish is deeply rooted in the fusion of Asian and Polynesian influences, using pantry staples like soy sauce and rice vinegar alongside sweet pineapple to create a flavorful sauce that thickens beautifully as it cooks. The pork becomes fall-apart tender after hours of gentle heat, soaking up every bit of that rich, aromatic sauce. The result is a meal that feels indulgent but is surprisingly effortless.

Why Use a Slow Cooker for Pork?

The slow cooker is the hero of this recipe. It allows you to set everything up in the morning and come home to a fully cooked, delicious meal in the evening. Cooking pork shoulder over low heat for several hours breaks down the collagen and connective tissue in the meat, yielding juicy, tender shreds of pork that can be easily pulled apart with a fork.

Unlike stovetop or oven-roasted methods, the slow cooker doesn’t dry out the meat. It keeps it moist by bathing it in liquid, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply. The sauce gets richer over time as it reduces and melds into the pork, creating layers of flavor without much effort on your part.

Flavor Profile and Texture

The beauty of Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork lies in its flavor harmony. Pineapple adds a natural sweetness and acidity that helps tenderize the pork while balancing the saltiness of the soy sauce. Brown sugar deepens the sweetness with a hint of molasses, while ginger and garlic add aromatic warmth and depth. Red pepper flakes can be added for a subtle heat if you enjoy a touch of spice.

The texture is another highlight—tender, juicy, and succulent. As the pork cooks, it becomes incredibly soft and absorbs the sauce’s bold flavors. Once shredded and tossed back into the thickened sauce, it becomes a sticky, glossy, flavorful centerpiece ready to be served with rice, noodles, or vegetables.

Serving Suggestions

This dish is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. The most popular way to enjoy Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork is over a bed of white or jasmine rice, which absorbs the savory-sweet sauce beautifully. For a lower-carb option, cauliflower rice works just as well.

You can also pair the pork with steamed or stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, bok choy, green beans, or snap peas to add freshness and crunch. For a fun twist, consider serving it in lettuce wraps, tacos, or even slider buns for parties or casual dinners.

If you’re meal prepping, this recipe holds up exceptionally well in the fridge and reheats like a dream. The flavors deepen over time, making it even better the next day.

Health Benefits and Nutrition

While pork shoulder is known for its richness, the use of leaner cuts and moderate sugar keeps this dish relatively balanced. Pineapple adds vitamin C and bromelain, an enzyme that may aid in digestion. Garlic and ginger offer anti-inflammatory benefits, and the inclusion of green onions and sesame seeds (as garnishes) contributes added nutrients and texture.

You can also make the recipe gluten-free by choosing tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. To reduce sugar intake, use less brown sugar or substitute it with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup.

For those watching their sodium levels, opting for low-sodium soy sauce and minimizing added salt helps keep the dish heart-healthy. Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork is a flavorful way to enjoy a satisfying meal without relying on overly processed ingredients.

Time-Saving and Family-Friendly

One of the biggest advantages of this dish is how little time it demands from you. With only 10 minutes of prep needed, you can simply place everything in the slow cooker, set the timer, and walk away. This is ideal for busy families, working professionals, or anyone looking to simplify their dinner routine.

The flavors are mild and appealing, making it a kid-friendly choice, especially when served over rice or in sandwiches. You can easily adjust the sweetness or spiciness based on personal preference, which makes it adaptable to different palates.

Plus, since it’s made in one pot, cleanup is minimal—a welcome bonus on hectic days.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork stores beautifully, which makes it a great candidate for make-ahead meals and leftovers. After cooking, allow the pork to cool completely before transferring it into airtight containers.

It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm it in the microwave or over medium heat on the stovetop. You may need to add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.

If you plan to serve it for a gathering, you can keep the dish warm in the slow cooker on the “warm” setting for several hours without compromising taste or texture.

How to Customize the Dish

One of the most appealing things about Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork is how easy it is to customize. You can adjust the ingredients to fit dietary needs or flavor preferences:

• Add vegetables: Bell peppers, carrots, or onions can be added directly to the slow cooker for a complete one-pot meal.

• Spice it up: Sriracha, chili paste, or extra red pepper flakes can give it a kick.

• Use different sweeteners: Swap brown sugar with honey, agave, or maple syrup.

• Make it tangier: Add a splash of lime juice or extra vinegar near the end of cooking.

• Go low-carb: Serve with cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini instead of traditional grains.

This flexibility makes it easy to repeat the dish without it ever feeling boring.

Cultural Influence and Inspiration

Though not traditionally Hawaiian or Asian, this dish draws inspiration from both cuisines. The use of pineapple, soy, and ginger reflects the sweet-savory flavors often found in Hawaiian BBQ and Chinese pork dishes. The idea of using fruit in savory dishes is common in tropical cooking, where ingredients like mango, pineapple, and citrus are used to tenderize meats and add brightness to heavy dishes.

By combining familiar comfort food with global flavor influences, Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork becomes a fusion dish that’s both adventurous and approachable.

Tips for Best Results

• Trim excess fat: Pork shoulder is naturally fatty, so trimming some of the fat before cooking helps avoid a greasy sauce.

• Don’t over-shred: While the meat should fall apart easily, avoid turning it into mush—larger chunks provide better texture.

• Thicken the sauce properly: Make sure to mix the cornstarch with cold water before adding it to the hot liquid to avoid lumps.

• Let it rest: After shredding and returning the pork to the sauce, allow it to sit for 5–10 minutes so the flavors fully meld.

These small tweaks can elevate the final result from good to unforgettable.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork is the kind of dish that checks all the boxes: it’s flavorful, easy to make, versatile, and crowd-pleasing. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, meal prepping for the week, or just want to come home to a hot, comforting meal, this recipe delivers.

With its tropical aroma and sweet-savory balance, it’s no surprise that this dish quickly becomes a favorite in many households. It’s also a fantastic starting point for those new to slow cooking, proving that you don’t need hours in the kitchen or a long ingredient list to create a memorable meal.

If you’re looking for something bold, family-friendly, and stress-free, Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork deserves a place in your recipe rotation.