Slow Cooker Pork and Butternut Squash Stew

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SmithfieldCares #CollectiveBias

Okay guys, real talk.

I broke the driver’s side window of my car.

“How’d you manage that one, Amanda?”

Well, it’s a Wrangler so the windows unzip and the zipper broke.

Okay, fine, I broke both zippers. Which is okay most of the time since I normally have at least the back windows off anyway. But y’all, it’s cold in the mornings and at night in central Texas now. I was shivering on my way back from Austin last week.

An hour and a half at 75 MPH with the window down at 10 pm?

It was cold.

All that to tell you that I’m all in on warm and cozy comfort foods right now. I’ve even switched to hot coffee and you know that doesn’t happen until December most years!

Anyway, I picked up this Smithfield All Natural Fresh Shoulder Roast at Walmart specifically to make something comfort-y earlier this week.

Also, I’m obsessed with butternut squash right now and have you ever had pork and squash together? My favorite combo!

So I made this delicious stew with the Smithfield All Natural Fresh Shoulder Roast and the squash and then some apple juice, chicken broth, and my favorite thing to pair with squash: Italian seasoning. You already know sage is great with squash but seriously, everything in Italian seasoning is perfect with it.

All you have to do is brown the meat and then add everything to your slow cooker! You’ll have a delicious and comforting stew waiting for you when you get home from work. Serve it on top of rice or by itself – it’s delicious either way.

PS. My kids won’t eat squash so I told them it was sweet potato and they didn’t leave a drop in their bowls!

Smithfield and Walmart are currently running their Compassion for Community mission, where you can nominate someone in your life who embraces compassion, care, and commitment.

Do you have a hero?

Mine is definitely my mother. You guys know I went through quite an ordeal back in January and within 12 hours of the incident happening, my mom (and my dad) were on my doorstep (from Alabama!). My mom lived with me for a month, went to every meeting with me, took my kids to school for me, and continues to email people on my behalf when I just can’t handle doing it. I would’ve thrown in the towel long ago if it wasn’t for her talking me through all my breakdowns over the last 8 months.

With over $9,000 in prizing don’t miss your chance to nominate someone who deserves recognition for embracing compassion, care and commitment.

#SmithfieldCaresSweepstakes

Also! There’s a $1 Ibotta offer on the Smithfield All Natural Fresh Pork!

Print

Slow Cooker Pork and Butternut Squash Stew

Ingredients

• 1 2 1/2 pound Smithfield All Natural Fresh Shoulder Roast, cut into 1 inch chunks
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 small white onion diced
• 2 cups diced butternut squash
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• cooked rice for serving (optional)
• fresh parsley for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, toss the chunks of Smithfield All Natural Fresh Shoulder Roast, flour, salt, and pepper together until the pork is well coated.
2. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the pork and brown on all sides.
3. Transfer to slow cooker. Add onion, butternut squash, apple juice, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
4. Cook on low 8 hours or high 4 hours.
5. Serve with cooked rice if desired. Sprinkle with parsley.