Get ready to transform your kitchen into a Thai-inspired paradise without breaking a sweat! This easy crock pot Thai pork recipe is about to become your new secret weapon for delivering restaurant-quality meals with minimal effort. Imagine tender, juicy pork infused with rich coconut milk, vibrant red curry paste, and a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors - all achieved by simply throwing ingredients into a slow cooker and walking away. Whether you're a busy professional, a tired parent, or just someone who loves delicious food without complicated cooking techniques, this recipe is your culinary superhero!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: Thai
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp red curry paste
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Gather all the items listed in the recipe: 2 lbs of pork shoulder, 1 cup of coconut milk, 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of red curry paste, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of minced ginger, and 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro.
- Cut the pork shoulder into large chunks, about 2-3 inches in size. This will help the meat cook evenly and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar, red curry paste, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Whisk the ingredients together until they are well blended and the curry paste is fully incorporated.
- Place the pork shoulder chunks in the bottom of the crock pot. Pour the coconut milk mixture over the pork, ensuring that the meat is well coated with the sauce.
- Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to cook on low for 6 hours. This slow cooking process will allow the pork to become tender and flavorful.
- After 6 hours, check the pork for tenderness. It should be easy to shred with a fork. If it’s not tender enough, you can continue cooking for an additional hour.
- Once the pork is cooked, carefully remove it from the crock pot and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Return the shredded pork to the crock pot and stir it into the remaining sauce to combine.
- Before serving, sprinkle the chopped cilantro over the top of the pork for added flavor and freshness.
- Serve the easy crock pot Thai pork over rice or noodles, allowing the delicious sauce to soak into the grains. Enjoy your meal!
Tips
- Choose the right cut: Pork shoulder (or pork butt) is ideal because its marbling ensures moist, tender meat after slow cooking.
- For extra flavor depth, consider briefly searing the pork chunks before adding them to the crock pot to lock in more flavor.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with cold water in the last hour of cooking and stir into the liquid.
- Don't rush the cooking time - low and slow is the key to melt-in-your-mouth pork.
- Fresh ginger and garlic make a huge difference, so avoid pre-minced versions if possible.
- Garnish creatively: Besides cilantro, try adding sliced green onions, crushed peanuts, or a squeeze of lime for extra zing.
- This dish freezes beautifully, so make a double batch for easy future meals!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 519kcal
Carbohydrates: 13g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 100mg
