My uncle asked me three times at Sunday dinner where I learned to make pork this tender. Told him it was just the slow cooker doing all the work.

When I want a meal that feels a little special without keeping me tied to the stove, this slow cooker 4-ingredient brown sugar cider pork belly is one of my favorite answers. Pork belly turns wonderfully tender with a long, gentle cook, and the simple combination of apple cider and brown sugar gives it a sweet, cozy glaze that tastes like you worked much harder than you really did. It is the kind of dish that fits right in at a Sunday family dinner or a casual cold-weather get-together.

Serve this rich pork belly with something that can soak up all that sticky sauce, like mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, rice, or creamy polenta. For a little balance, I like to add roasted green beans, simple steamed broccoli, or a crisp slaw with a bit of vinegar to cut the richness. Warm dinner rolls and applesauce also make this meal feel especially homey.

Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Brown Sugar Cider Pork Belly

Servings: 6

Slow cooker brown sugar cider pork belly on a white platter

Ingredients

2 1/2 to 3 pounds pork belly, cut into large 2-inch chunks
1 cup apple cider
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Pork belly, apple cider, brown sugar, and salt on a kitchen counter

Directions

1. Pat the pork belly pieces dry with paper towels and place them in the slow cooker in an even layer as much as possible.

Raw pork belly pieces arranged in a slow cooker

2. Sprinkle the brown sugar and salt evenly over the pork belly, then pour the apple cider around and over the pieces.

Brown sugar and apple cider added to pork belly in the slow cooker

3. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until the pork belly is very tender and easily pierced with a fork.

Tender pork belly cooked in a slow cooker with caramel-colored juices

4. Carefully transfer the pork belly to a serving platter. If you would like a thicker glaze, pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan and simmer it on the stove for 8 to 12 minutes until syrupy, then spoon it over the pork before serving.

Brown sugar cider sauce simmering in a saucepan

5. Serve warm, spooning extra glaze over the top if desired.

Plated brown sugar cider pork belly with mashed potatoes and green beans

Variations & Tips

For a deeper finish: If you have a few extra minutes, place the cooked pork belly on a foil-lined sheet pan and broil for 2 to 4 minutes before glazing. That little bit of heat on top gives the edges a darker caramelized look and even more flavor.

Broiled pork belly with extra caramelized edges

For picky eaters: Keep the seasoning just as simple as written and serve the sauce on the side. Family members who prefer milder flavors can enjoy the tender pork plain, while everyone else can add as much glaze as they like.

For easier cleanup: A slow cooker liner can help, especially with sugary sauces that like to stick a bit around the edges. If you do not use a liner, soak the insert with warm soapy water soon after dinner.

For make-ahead meals: This pork belly reheats nicely. Store leftovers in the sauce so the meat stays moist, then warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave. It is also delicious tucked into buns, spooned over rice, or served with roasted sweet potatoes the next day.