Honey Ginger Pork with Acorn Squash

December 31, 2022

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On this Honey Ginger Pork with Acorn Squash recipe, slow-cooked honey ginger pulled pork is topped on tender items of winter squash. It’s a flowery fall dish that doubles as a wholesome consolation meals!

Make the standard winter squash facet dish right into a important with this Honey Ginger Pork with Acorn Squash recipe. Think about slow-cooked shredded pork glazed with candy and savory ginger garlic sauce piled on high of a platter of ridiculously wealthy and buttery roasted acorn squash slices. Who may resist?

The pork on this dish is repurposed from my Honey Ginger Pork Tacos. Every chew tastes candy and savory, and is virtually hands-off as a result of it’s cooked within the sluggish cooker. The acorn squash is roasted concurrently so all it’s important to do is plate and serve!

Recipe options

It’s made with minimal components and is of course gluten, grain, and soy free (with one easy substitution).
It’s a straightforward sluggish cooker recipe that’s principally hands-off. The pork does its factor within the crockpot whereas the squash roasts to perfection within the oven.
A singular and straightforward technique to serve shredded pork at dinner events and holidays.

slow cooker filled with marinated pulled pork

Elements and substitutions

For the complete components record, scroll all the way down to the recipe card beneath. Listed below are a couple of notes about what you’ll want and attainable substitutions.

Pork – Pork shoulder and pork butt are greatest for this sluggish cooker pork recipe. It’s because each come from the shoulder part and have a considerable amount of marbled fats. In consequence, the meat turns into extra juicy and flavorful when cooked in a crockpot. Pork chops don’t work as nicely as a result of they’re reduce from the loin and have little or no marbling. They’re higher suited to faster cooking strategies, like pan-frying, air frying, and strain cooking.

Soy sauce – Or use tamari for those who’re gluten free. Coconut aminos can be used, but it surely’s sweeter than soy sauce, so make certain to scale back the quantity of honey.

Honey – This provides the honey ginger sauce its candy and earthy profile. Agave syrup ought to work as an alternative however the taste of the sauce will change barely.

Garlic and ginger – Recent garlic and ginger are a should! No substitutions right here.

Acorn squash – This can be a winter squash with a naturally candy, nutty taste that turns into nearly butter-like when roasted. If you happen to can’t discover acorn squash, use delicata, hubbard, butternut, or buttercup squash as an alternative.

Step-by-step directions

Step 1: Sluggish prepare dinner the pork. Place the pork, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger in your sluggish cooker. Prepare dinner on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. Let the pork relaxation on a reducing board earlier than shredding.

uncooked and cooked pork shoulder in a slow cooker

Step 2: Put together the acorn squash. As soon as the pork is nearly completed, reduce the acorn squash in half and take away the seeds. Slice every half into half-moons and drizzle each bit with melted butter, salt, and pepper.

Step 3: Roast the acorn squash. Place the squash on a big baking sheet and roast till fork tender.

raw sliced acorn squash in a bowl on the left and roasted acorn squash on a baking sheet on the right

Step 4: Plate and serve. Switch the roasted acorn squash to a platter. High it with the shredded pork and garnish with contemporary chopped cilantro or parsley. Take pleasure in!

Suggestions and FAQs

Acorn squash doesn’t should be peeled earlier than roasting.
Lay the squash in an excellent layer on the baking sheet. Overcrowding will trigger steam, leaving you with soggy squash. Use two baking sheets if you have to.
The precise time it takes to roast the squash will range relying on how thick the slices are. Don’t depart the oven unattended over the last 10 to fifteen minutes. The squash can go from excellent to overcooked in seconds.
Improve the presentation by topping the plated dish with contemporary cilantro or parsley, gruyere or parmesan cheese, or crispy sage leaves.

How are you aware when sluggish cooker pork is completed?

You’ll understand it’s prepared when the pork is VERY straightforward to shred with a fork. If you happen to aren’t certain, use a meat thermometer. Pulled pork is greatest when it’s cooked to an inner temperature of 205°F.

Don’t go previous 210ºF! That is when the meat will begin to dry out.

To make sure the pork is cooked good, take away it from the crockpot when the inner temperature is between 190°F and 200°F. Switch it to a reducing board, tent it loosely with foil, and let it relaxation for a minimum of 20 minutes. The pork will rise 10-15 levels throughout resting.

What do you serve with roasted acorn squash and pork?

This pork and squash dish simply screams fall. If you happen to’re incorporating it right into a multi-course meal, I like to recommend serving it with different warming fall recipes, like pumpkin curry soup, pecan frisee salad, maple roasted carrots, and mashed pink potatoes.

What different meat goes nicely with acorn squash?

If you happen to love the sound of pulled pork however not the honey ginger sauce, make this recipe with my BBQ sauce-covered pulled pork as an alternative. Acorn squash additionally goes nicely with roast rooster, meatloaf, beef tenderloin, quick ribs, lamb chops, and extra.

What else can I make with the shredded pork?

If you happen to’re fortunate sufficient to have leftover honey ginger pork, use it in a pulled pork sandwich topped with coleslaw! You can even use it in tacos, nachos, quesadillas, grilled cheese sandwiches, and loaded fries.

roasted acorn squash on a platter topped with pulled pork

Storage

Fridge: Let cool, then retailer the squash and pork in separate sealed containers within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
Freezer: Roasted acorn squash doesn’t freeze nicely, however the pork will be stored within the freezer for as much as 6 months. Let it thaw within the fridge earlier than reheating.

Extra squash recipes

If you happen to made this recipe, you’ll want to depart a remark and star ranking beneath. Thanks!