Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Smithfield® Marinated Pork. The opinions and text are all mine.
Oh fall. How I love you. I mean, it really is the best of all the seasons. I get so excited when the air turns a bit cooler and leaves start changing colors. I actually don’t even like Pumpkin Spiced Lattes. But I LOOOOOVE everything else about autumn. School is back in, routines, pumpkin patches, apple cider, football games, chili, tailgating, cooler weather, pretty trees, Halloween, costume parties, Thanksgiving, frying turkeys. I mean. Come on!! It’s the best. Can’t deny it.
I break out my trusty crockpot around this time for all the chili parties and tailgating and football food. But, the crockpot is my best friend during the school year. Especially at the beginning of the school year. Back to school. I know I’m home because we homeschool, but that doesn’t mean we are home at dinner time. Piano lessons, basketball practice, American Heritage Girls, karate, book clubs. This all happens right at dinner time. I mean always. And then, “What’s for dinner?” from the family. I used to just go through a drive-thru. Gross. But, I’ve been really trying to meal plan and it works! So, the crockpot is seriously my best friend. I start dinner for almost every weeknight, first thing in the morning, right after I have had my first cup of coffee. 🙂 Priorities.
And this simple and delicious Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork with Quinoa is one of my family’s favorites. There are rarely any leftovers for lunch the next day. I should really start doubling it.
I always pick up Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork when I’m at Kroger. No matter which cut I choose, it’s always marinated and seasoned to perfection, and that saves me time. I just get it in the slow cooker and go. Real Flavor, Real Fast! I can get this meal prepped and in the crockpot in 5 minutes! (Sometimes 10 minutes if I haven’t already chopped the veggies on grocery day.) For this dish I chose the Smithfield Marinated Slow Smoked Mesquite Pork Loin Filet and I think it really adds a nice flavor to this meal.
This dish is so satisfying and tasty. It’s sweet and spicy and smoky. And it’s soooo easy.
What you need:
- 1 1/2 cups of fresh pineapple (canned or frozen will work, too)
- 1 – 2 pounds of Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin (This time I used a pork loin filet)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/2 red and 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped (I like to mix colors, but you don’t have to.)
- 4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp liquid smoke (optional, but adds an extra bit of smoky flavor which I love.)
- Salt and pepper
- Dash of cayenne (optional)
- Cilantro for garnishing
What you do:
Season both sides of the pork with the salt, pepper, garlic powder and chili powder. The pork is already seasoned nicely since it’s marinated, so this is just a rub. (In fact, if you are short on time, you can skip it. The pork is tasty as it is. We just like to kick the flavor up a notch. My family likes bold.) Place the pork in the crockpot. Add apple cider vinegar and liquid smoke. Place the chopped peppers, onions and pineapple on top and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Shred pork in the crockpot, with two forks. I like to serve it over a bed of brown rice and quinoa. But you could even wrap it up in a burrito or eat it on pasta.
This is a delicious meal and one of my family’s favorites. They eat it up. If you’ve been following my blog, you know I have been doing the Trim Healthy Mama diet/lifestyle. If you also follow it, this is a solid THM ‘E’ meal, low in fat and full of healthy carbs from brown rice, quinoa and pineapples. Energizing! 🙂
Grab some Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork on your next trip to Kroger and get cooking. Roast, saute’, or break out the slow cooker. 🙂 Smithfield has tenderloins, pork loin filets and sirloins in a variety of marinades, so the prep work is done for you and the possibilities are endless. We love it. #RealFlavorRealFast @SmithfieldBrand
What’s your favorite meal tip?
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