Slow Cooker Pineapple Ground Pork

Ingredients

• 1 pound (500 grams) ground pork
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup vegetable or beef broth
• 1/4 cup brown or Demerara sugar, packed
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha or Rooster sauce, optional
• 2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 (8-ounce) can pineapple chunks, juices reserved
• 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, juices reserved
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds

Directions

1. Heat the 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add ground pork and sear meat until golden brown, about 4-6 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, combine pineapple juice, broth, brown sugar, soy sauce, honey, vinegar, Sriracha, garlic, and ginger.
3. Place the cooked ground pork into a 6-qt slow cooker. Stir in pineapple juice mixture. Top with pineapple chunks, crushed pineapple, and reserved juices.
4. Cover and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours, stirring every few hours.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup water and cornstarch. Stir in cornstarch mixture, bell pepper, and onion into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high heat for an additional 30-60 minutes, or until sauce is thickened.
6. Serve the Pineapple Pork immediately over steamed rice. Garnished with sesame seeds, if desired.