Many cuts of pork are as lean as boneless, skinless chicken breasts, with less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol, 10 grams of fat and 4.5 grams of saturated fat in every 3-ounce serving. Because of their low fat content, these cuts can be difficult to prepare in the slow cooker without ending up with tough, dry meat. Use the correct technique with the right cuts, however, and youll have juicy pork that requires little hands-on cooking time and which you can easily incorporate into a healthy, balanced diet.
Can You Put Raw Meat in the Slow Cooker? It is safe to add raw meat to a crock pot or slow cooker if it will be cooked through completely. Tough cuts like pot roast, pork shoulder, and stew meat can be browned first and then cooked through in the cooker or simply added to the crock pot.
Trim Off the Fat
According to the “Bangor Daily News,” trimming off as much excess fat as possible from pork before cooking can lower the total fat content in every serving of the finished dish by as much as 50 percent. This is especially true for pork prepared in the slow cooker, since the rendered fat remains in the slow cooker insert with the meat. For pork roasts and chops, cut off and discard all of the visible fat. After trimming the fat off of a pork tenderloin, use a sharp knife to remove the shiny membrane located on the side of the cut.
Aim for High Flavor, Low Fat
You can place raw pork directly into the slow cooker, but for a deeper, richer flavor without much added fat, first brown all sides of the cut briefly in heated olive oil. If you like, you can remove the pork to the cooker and saute seasonings such as chopped onions, garlic, herbs and spices in the remaining oil in the skillet. Pour water, broth, juice, a sauce like tomato sauce, wine or a combination into the skillet, bring the mixture to a boil and pour it over the pork. Tuck chunks of carrots and potatoes around the pork for added nutrition.
(Crockpot Drop & Go) Slow Cooked Pork Tenderloin & Veggies Cheap & Easy Meal
FAQ
Do you need to brown pork before slow cooker?
Why can’t you put raw meat in a slow cooker?
Do I need to add liquid to slow cooker pork?
Is it safe to cook pork in a slow cooker?