slow cooker cranberry pulled pork with cheesy polenta + green chile chicken tamale bake
Everything’s coming up autumn over here. After a cool-weather weekend, I’m full-on into the season — complete with canned pumpkin, PSLs, cozy sweaters and comfort foods. Oh yes. I may love me some summertime, but fall is my true favorite — especially when it comes to the eating.
That’s why I’m fairly certain that my dinners this fall will most likely be either slow cooker cranberry pulled pork with cheesy polenta or green chile chicken tamale bake. Or both. Because I don’t want to take sides, obvi.
I made both of these recipes for my gal Betty and they are so delicious, I just had to share them with you. So firstly, this slow cooker pulled pork situation? It’s DA BEST. Not only because it’s all made in the slow cooker (true story, I have traveled on vacation with my slow cooker before, I heart it so) but because slow-cooked pulled pork + cranberry sauce and fresh herbs + super cheesy, creamy polenta = a million high-five emojis in a row. Or thumbs up emojis. Or dancing ladies. The point is, your mouth will want to marry this recipe. It’s fall comfort food to the max.
You can find the recipe for the pulled pork on Betty Crocker here!
And secondly (but not secondly in flavah), when I first made this green chile chicken tamale bake, my husband ate half of it in one sitting for dinner. That’s not really saying much as the man can eat like a champ, but then I went and nearly ate the entire other half myself. NO REGRETS. Except that there weren’t enough leftovers the next day… which is why I made it again two days later. And now just looking at that soft cornbread base topped with chopped rotisserie chicken, green chilies, enchilada sauce and ALL. THE. CHEESE…. well, I think you know what I’ll be having for dinner tonight.
You can find the recipe for this yummy tamale bake on Betty Crocker here!
And because I got yo’ back, you should also make this Roasted Pineapple-Pistachio Fruit Pizza for dessert (recipe here). Mmmmmmmmmfruitpizzaheaven.
A most happy Monday to you, friends!
All of these sound incredible! The cranberry pulled pork is definitely calling my name!!!
Holy yum, Stephanie! This looks like my kind of comfort food! I love that you added cranberries. I bet that tart/sweet flavor tastes amazing with all of the rest of the ingredients!
…you can be my neighbor…if I can be yours!! You make dinner, I make cookies!
<3 thiiis! A must make this Fall!!!
Can you suggest a substitute for the pork? I love the flavor combination with cranberries but don’t eat pork. Thanks!
What a flavor combo! I can honestly say I have never considered cranberry and green chili in the same meal, but it sounds amazing! I think this polenta would knock my socks off!
Wow talk about a trifecta!!! You have been busy girl!
Marlene — You can swap the pork for beef and it would still be delicious!
Thanks! What cut of beef would you use, Stephanie? Boneless chicken thighs might also be good.
I’m in love with everything you’re doing for Betty right now!
Marlene — I’m thinking a pot roast might work best… and chicken thighs would be great, too!
Gosh I thought it was the pork and polenta that was the big lure. But I am loving the fruit pizza for dessert. The slow cooker is my friend. I think it really does a thing on pork, because it allows the flavors to really seep in.
Wow, so much goodness here Steph!! I was marvelling over the cranberry slow-cooked pork and about to comment and then… Tamales. And PIZZA! Yum! I love cheesy polenta and anything meaty and slow-cooked, so I can’t wait to try your recipes when I get home (although it’ll be almost summer in Aussieland by then. But I’ll ignore that!). And eating half of that baked tamale goodness? Kudos! I’ve eaten as much as my husband a few times too, much to his surprise (secretly I’m a little proud of my achievement…! Haha) xx
Carol — Good thing you can have pulled pork AND fruit pizza! 😉
Both of these dishes look amazing! I just pulled out my slow cooker too and can’t wait to try the pork + polenta – looks like the perfect fall meal!
It’s too hard to choose–I’ll take them both!