A slow cooker supper like this is exactly the kind of meal that earns a permanent place in a cool-weather rotation. With just a handful of pantry staples and raw cubed pork stew meat, you get tender bites of pork in a savory, comforting sauce with almost no active cooking time. It is the sort of practical Midwestern-style dinner that suits busy weeknights, especially when you want the house to smell warm and inviting on a crisp autumn evening.
Serve this pork over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or steamed rice so the rich cooking juices have something to soak into. A simple side of roasted carrots, green beans, or a crisp apple-cabbage slaw balances the hearty flavors nicely, and a slice of warm crusty bread is always welcome at the table.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Crisp Autumn Supper
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds raw pork stew meat, cubed
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 packet onion soup mix, about 1 ounce
1 can cream of mushroom soup, 10.5 ounces
1 cup apple cider
Directions
1. Add the raw cubed pork stew meat to the bottom of the slow cooker and spread it into an even layer.
2. Scatter the sliced onion over the pork, then sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly across the top.
3. Spoon the cream of mushroom soup over everything, then pour in the apple cider. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the pork is very tender.
4. Remove the lid and stir gently to combine the sauce and pork. If you would like a thicker sauce, leave the lid off for 10 to 15 minutes on HIGH before serving.
5. Spoon the pork and sauce over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice and serve hot.
Variations & Tips
Add herbs: A teaspoon of dried thyme or rubbed sage gives this dish a more distinctly autumn flavor without changing the simple character of the recipe.
Make it mushroomier: If your family likes mushrooms, add 8 ounces of sliced cremini mushrooms along with the onions for extra depth and a heartier texture.
Use broth if needed: Apple cider adds gentle sweetness and a seasonal note, but chicken broth works well if that is what you have on hand and will create a more purely savory finish.
For best texture: Pork stew meat can vary in size, so try to keep the cubes fairly even for more consistent cooking. If your pork still seems firm, give it another 30 to 60 minutes on LOW rather than serving too soon.
Easy make-ahead idea: Slice the onion and measure the other ingredients the night before, then assemble everything in the slow cooker insert in the morning so you can get dinner started quickly.