This Crockpot Pineapple Pork is the perfect mix of sweet and savory, with tender slow-cooked pork and sweet pineapple all simmered in a savory teriyaki sauce. With minimal prep and just a handful of pantry ingredients, you’ll have a family-friendly dinner that basically cooks itself!
When I need a recipe that can truly do it all, this slow cooker pineapple pork is always at the top of my list! A full pork shoulder means plenty of tender, juicy meat to feed a hungry family or a crowd, and the sweet-savory flavors never disappoint.
My personal favorite thing about this recipe is just how versatile it is. You can spoon it over fluffy white rice, pair it with fried rice for something heartier, or serve it alongside steamed veggies for a lighter, healthier dinner. And if you have any leftovers, freeze them for later! It makes a great freezer-friendly meal for those nights when you don’t have time to make dinner.
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Set it and forget it – The slow cooker does all the work for you! Just toss in the ingredients and let the crockpot work its magic while you go about your day.
- Sweet and savory – The pairing of juicy pineapple chunks with savory soy and teriyaki sauce creates the perfect sweet and salty flavor combination!
- Family and crowd-friendly – This recipe makes enough to feed a hungry family or a small crowd, and it’s versatile enough to serve at weeknight dinners or potlucks.
- Perfect for leftovers – Pineapple pork reheats beautifully and can be repurposed into tacos, sandwiches, or rice bowls, making it great for meal prep!
Recipe Notes
This crockpot pineapple pork recipe is as simple as promised! With just a few minutes of prep, the pork cooks low and slow until it’s tender and fall-apart delicious. It’s perfect for a family-friendly dinner that’s both effortless and delicious.
In this section, I’ll walk you through tips and tricks I use to get the absolute best results every time. Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Pork butt (or shoulder) – This cut gets tender and flavorful after hours in the slow cooker. If needed, you can use pork loin, but it won’t be quite as juicy.
- Pineapple chunks + juice – I use canned pineapple here. Fresh pineapple works too, just reserve some juice or use a splash of orange juice.
- Teriyaki sauce – Use your favorite store-bought teriyaki sauce.
- Soy sauce – This serves as the salt in the recipe. Feel free to use low sodium soy sauce if you prefer. Coconut aminos work as a gluten-free substitute.
- Onion + garlic
- Green onions – As garnish.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Loin – You can substitute the pork butt or pork loin or pork tenderloin. Just keep in mind that both of these cuts are lean, so they will not be as juicy!
- BBQ Pineapple Pork – Stir in a little smoky BBQ sauce (about 1/4 cup), for a barbecue twist!
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Crockpot Pineapple Pork.
Place the chopped onion in the bottom of the slow cooker, then place the pork butt on top.
Pour the reserved pineapple juice and pineapple chunks.
Pour the teriyaki sauce, soy sauce and minced garlic over the pork.
Cover and cook for 6-8 hours on high, or 7-9 hours on low.
Once done, remove the pork and shred, removing any excess fat.
Add the shredded pork back into the juices, and garnish with green onions.
Recipe Tips
- Trim excess fat – Pork butt is naturally fatty, but trimming large chunks before cooking helps avoid greasy results.
- Don’t skip the pineapple juice – It adds acidity that helps tenderize the pork and brighten the flavor!
- Cook until fall-apart tender – If you try shredding the pork shoulder and it doesn’t shred easily, it probably needs to be cooked longer. You’ll know when it’s ready once it shreds easily!
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Buy pre-chopped onions – You will save some time by skipping the knife work!
- Use jarred minced garlic – Instead of fresh garlic, you can use jarred garlic for ease.
- Cook on high – If you need the pineapple pork done in 6 hours instead of 8–9, feel free to cook it on high!
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this crock pot pineapple pork recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Place onion, pork, pineapple, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, and garlic in a freezer bag.
- Squeeze out excess air and seal.
- Freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight before adding to the slow cooker.
How to Freeze Pineapple Shredded Pork After Cooking
- Let pork cool completely.
- Portion into airtight freezer containers.
- Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
What to Serve with Crockpot Pineapple Pork
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of teriyaki, pineapple, and soy sauce, it will pair well with many of your favorite Asian-inspired side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
Easy Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Shredded Pork Nachos – Layer on top of nachos with all your favorite toppings!
- Pineapple Pork Sandwiches – Place onto buns and top with some spicy sriracha Asian coleslaw!
Recipe FAQ’s
What to do with leftover shredded pork?
Leftover shredded pork is super versatile! You can turn it into nachos, tacos, sliders, rice bowls, or even use it as a topping for pizza. It also freezes well, so you can save portions for quick weeknight meals later on.
Do pork and pineapple go together?
Yes! Pork and pineapple are a classic pairing. The sweetness and acidity of pineapple balance the richness of pork beautifully.
What are common crockpot pork mistakes?
One of the biggest mistakes is using too little liquid, which can cause the meat to dry out. Another is overcooking lean cuts like pork loin, which become tough instead of tender. If you are using a lean cut of meat, make sure to check when it is done using a meat thermometer.
How long to cook pork tenderloin in a slow cooker?
Pork tenderloin cooks much faster than shoulder or butt. If you choose to use pork tenderloin, it usually takes about 4–5 hours on low, or 2–3 hours on high, until it’s fork-tender and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
More EASY Crockpot Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy crockpot recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Slow Cooker Cuban Style Mojo Pork
- Crockpot Orange Chicken
- Crockpot Pork Chile Verde
- Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
Crockpot Pineapple Pork
Ingredients
- 1 sweet yellow onion, chopped
- 3 pound boneless pork butt, or shoulder
- 20 ounce can pineapple chunks, reserve ¼ cup of juice, then drain
- 1 cup teriyaki sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish (optional)
- 2 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Place the chopped onion in the bottom of the slow cooker, then place the pork butt on top.
- Pour the reserved pineapple juice and pineapple chunks. Pour the teriyaki sauce, soy sauce and minced garlic over the pork.
- Cover and cook for 6-8 hours on high, or 7-9 hours on low.
- Once done, remove the pork and shred, removing any excess fat. Add the shredded pork back into the juices, and garnish with green onions.
Recipe Notes
- Pork Shoulder – Pork butt or pork loin can also be used. Pork loin is leaner, but won’t be quite as juicy.
- Pineapple – Fresh pineapple works in place of canned; just add a splash of orange juice if you need more liquid.
- Soy Sauce – Substitute coconut aminos or tamari for a gluten-free option.
To save leftovers, separate into meal-sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3–4 days
- in the freezer for up to a month
Making this Crockpot Pineapple Pork into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Place the chopped onion, pork, pineapple, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, and garlic in a large freezer bag or container.
- Seal well, removing as much air as possible.
- Freeze together.
- When ready to cook, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Cook in the slow cooker as directed.
This can be reheated in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring occasionally, or warmed gently on the stovetop. To reheat in the oven, place in a covered baking dish, cover with foil, and heat at 325°F until warmed through. How to Scale:
This recipe can easily be doubled to feed a larger crowd! Just be sure your slow cooker is big enough to fit a larger pork shoulder. For smaller households, halve the recipe and adjust the cooking time slightly, checking for doneness earlier since a smaller cut of meat may cook faster.
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