Description
This Slow Cooker Asian Pork Noodles recipe combines tender, flavorful pork shoulder with fresh vegetables and spaghettini in a savory Asian-inspired broth. Perfect for an easy and comforting weeknight meal, it features fragrant garlic, ginger, star anise, and soy sauce slow-cooked to perfection. The dish is completed by adding crunchy broccoli, sugar snap peas, and bok choy before tossing in the noodles and shredded pork for a wholesome and satisfying bowl.
Ingredients
Scale
Slow Cooker Base
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1/2 inch fresh ginger (minced, or more to taste)
- 1 star anise
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 1/2 cups water or chicken stock
- 2 1/2 pounds pork shoulder
Vegetables
- 1 head broccoli (cut into florets)
- 1 heaping cup sugar snap peas
- 3 mini bok choy (chopped)
Pasta
- 1/2 pound spaghettini
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker Base: Place the minced garlic, minced ginger, star anise, brown sugar, salt, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce into a 4-6 quart slow cooker. Add 2 cups of chicken stock or water.
- Add Pork and Liquids: Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker and add additional water or stock as needed until the pork is nearly covered. Cook on HIGH for 6 hours, allowing the pork to become tender and infused with the aromatic broth.
- Cook the Vegetables: Remove the pork from the slow cooker temporarily. Quickly add the broccoli florets, sugar snap peas, and chopped bok choy to the slow cooker. Close the lid promptly to retain heat and cook the vegetables on HIGH for 20 minutes until they are tender-crisp.
- Add and Cook the Noodles: Add the spaghettini noodles directly into the slow cooker with the broth and vegetables. Cook on HIGH for 10 minutes or until the noodles are tender to your preference. Meanwhile, shred the pork using two forks.
- Combine and Serve: Stir the shredded pork back into the slow cooker to mix with the noodles and vegetables. Serve the dish in bowls with some broth ladled on top for a comforting, flavorful meal.
Notes
- For more intense ginger flavor, increase the amount of fresh ginger according to taste.
- If you prefer a thicker broth, you can reduce the liquid by cooking uncovered for the last 20 minutes.
- Any leftover pork can be stored separately and added fresh upon reheating to preserve texture.
- Feel free to substitute bok choy with baby spinach or kale if preferred.
- Make sure not to overcook the noodles; adjust cooking time based on package instructions and noodle thickness.
