Slow Cooker Pork with Rhubarb, Red Onion and Star Anise

Name: Slow Cooker Pork with Rhubarb, Red Onion and Star Anise
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 420 min
Total time: 440 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Fusión casera / Home Fusion
Ingredients: 2.6 lb boneless pork shoulder, cut into large cubes; 10.5 oz fresh rhubarb; 2 cups red onion; 4 cloves garlic; 1 1/2 cups carrot; 1 tbsp fresh ginger; 3/4 cup crushed tomato; 1 cup chicken broth; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tbsp honey; 2 tsp sweet paprika; 1 tsp ground cumin; 2 whole star anise; 1 leaf bay leaf; 1 1/4 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 1 tbsp water; 1/4 cup fresh parsley

An original slow-cooked pork dish simmered until tender, balanced with the gentle tartness of rhubarb, the sweetness of red onion, and the warm aroma of star anise. The sauce turns glossy and smooth, perfect served over mash, rice, or on its own.

20 minPrep

420 minCook

440 minTotal

6Servings

Dairy-FreeGluten-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

1200 g boneless pork shoulder, cut into large cubes (without exceso of grasa visible)
300 g fresh rhubarb (en trozos of 3 cm)
300 g red onion (en plumas gruesas)
20 g garlic (chopped fino)
180 g carrot (en medias lunas)
15 g fresh ginger (grated)
200 g crushed tomato (without sugar added)
240 ml chicken broth (low sodium if possible)
30 ml apple cider vinegar
21 g honey
4 g sweet paprika
2 g ground cumin
2 unit star anise
1 unit bay leaf
8 g salt (or to taste)
2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
15 ml olive oil
8 g cornstarch (optional, for espesar)
15 ml water (for mezclar with the maicena)
10 g fresh parsley (chopped, for terminar)

Nutrition facts

per serving

382 kcal

Calories

34 g

Protein

13 g

Carbs

21 g

Fat

2 g

Fiber

11 g

Net carbs

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

No declared allergens

Instructions

1
1. Season the pork shoulder with the salt, black pepper, sweet paprika, and ground cumin, coating all the cubes evenly.
2
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Brown the pork for 6 to 8 minutes, working in batches if needed, until colored on several sides. It does not need to cook through. Transfer the pork to the slow cooker.
3
3. In the same skillet, add the red onion, carrot, and garlic. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring, until the onion begins to soften. Add the fresh ginger and cook for 30 seconds more.
4
4. Add the crushed tomato, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and honey. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the pan to release the browned bits.
5
5. Pour the skillet mixture over the pork in the slow cooker. Add the rhubarb, star anise, and bay leaf. Stir gently.
6
6. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours, or on high for 4 hours. The dish should reach at least 165°F/74°C in the center and the pork should be very tender when pierced.
7
7. Remove and discard the star anise and bay leaf. If you want a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with the water until smooth. Stir it into the slow cooker, cover again, and cook on high for 15 more minutes until the sauce lightly thickens.
8
8. Taste and adjust with more salt or pepper if needed. Serve hot, finished with the chopped fresh parsley.
9
9. If reheating leftovers, heat until fully hot and reaching 165°F/74°C before serving.

Chef tips

For deeper flavor, brown the pork well before adding it to the slow cooker. The rhubarb partially breaks down and balances the pork’s natural richness nicely. For a more rustic texture, add part of the rhubarb at the beginning and the rest during the last hour of cooking.

Substitutions

You can substitute pork shoulder with pork neck or blade. Honey can be replaced with maple syrup or brown sugar. If fresh rhubarb is unavailable, use frozen rhubarb without thawing and add 15 to 20 extra minutes if cooking on high.

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 image
Ninja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
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Illustrative image
TempPro 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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Illustrative image
T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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