
Slow Cooker Pork with Zucchini, Baby Corn and Ancho Lime Sauce
An original slow-cooked pork stew with zucchini, baby corn, and onion in a gentle, aromatic ancho chile, tomato, and lime sauce. The result is juicy, lightly smoky, and well balanced, perfect for an easy comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 1200 g Pork shoulder, cut into large chunks (boneless)
- 300 g Zucchini (en medias lunas gruesas)
- 200 g Canned baby corn (escurrido and cut por the mitad)
- 180 g Yellow onion (en plumas)
- 15 g Garlic (chopped)
- 300 g Crushed tomato (enlatado or casero)
- 240 ml Chicken broth (low sodium if preferred)
- 12 g Ancho chile powder (suave and ahumado)
- 3 g Ground cumin
- 2 g Dried oregano
- 3 g Sweet paprika
- 2 units Lime (zest fina and zumo)
- 15 ml Olive oil
- 8 g Salt (or to taste)
- 2 g Black pepper (freshly ground)
- 20 g Fresh cilantro (chopped, for terminar)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels and season it all over with the salt and black pepper.
- 2
2. In a bowl, mix the crushed tomato, chicken broth, ancho chile powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, sweet paprika, zest of 1 lime, and juice of 1 lime until smooth.
- 3
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Brown the pork for 5 to 7 minutes total, turning to develop color on several sides. If you prefer, you can brown it in the oven on a tray at 425°F / 220°C for 12 to 15 minutes.
- 4
4. Add the yellow onion and garlic to the slow cooker insert. Place the browned pork on top and pour the ancho lime sauce over everything.
- 5
5. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours, or on high for 3 to 3 hours 30 minutes, until the pork is very tender.
- 6
6. Open the slow cooker, add the zucchini and baby corn, stir gently so they coat in the sauce, and cover again.
- 7
7. Cook for 30 minutes more on high, or until the zucchini is tender but still holds its shape.
- 8
8. Taste the sauce and adjust with more salt, black pepper, and juice from the remaining lime if you want a brighter finish.
- 9
9. Lightly shred some of the pork into the sauce for texture, finish with the chopped fresh cilantro, and serve hot.
Chef tips
For a thicker sauce, uncover the slow cooker during the last 15 to 20 minutes on high. If you want a smokier profile, add a small extra pinch of ancho chile, but do not overdo it so the dish stays balanced.
Substitutions
You can substitute pork shoulder with pork chuck. Baby corn can be replaced with cut green beans, and cilantro can be swapped for fresh parsley if you prefer a milder finish.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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