Slow Cooker Harissa Ground Pork

Let your slow cooker do the work with this flavour-packed Harissa Ground Pork, where savoury pork simmers with chickpeas, sweet carrots, and peppers in a rich, spiced sauce. A touch of harissa brings warmth without overpowering, while garlic, cumin, and smoked and sweet paprika add depth to every bite. This effortless dish comes together beautifully, making it a perfect choice for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Serve with some of your favourite sides to soak up the delicious sauce. Whether you’re looking for a high-protein dinner or an easy way to enjoy bold flavours, this slow cooker harissa pork delivers with minimal effort.

Calories in Harissa Ground Pork

This recipe serves 4 and is 308 calories per serving

If you're looking for more recipes within the same calorie range, you'll find an abundance of options in my dedicated collection of 300+ calorie recipes.

If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie intake using a reliable calorie calculator. Please note that the calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. Personalizing your calculations is essential to meet your individual needs. By using a calorie calculator, you can make informed choices and stay on track with your dietary goals.

See the recipe card for full nutritional estimation.

Variations and Substitutes

This slow cooker harissa ground pork is easy to customise with different ingredients while keeping the rich, spiced flavours intact. Here are some simple swaps to suit your preferences or what you have on hand.

• Different Meats – This dish works well with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option, while still keeping the flavours balanced. You can also use diced pork or chicken pieces instead of ground meat, but the cooking time may need adjusting (this hasn’t been tested).
• Sweetener Options – Maple syrup can be used instead of honey for a similar touch of sweetness. If you prefer a sugar-free option, a granulated or liquid sweetener can be used, but it won’t give the same glossy finish to the sauce that comes from caramelisation.
• Vegetable Swaps – You can switch out the carrot for sweet potato or butternut squash, both of which will soften beautifully in the sauce. Different coloured bell peppers work just as well if you don’t have yellow.
• Spice Level – Adjust the harissa to your preference; if you like more heat, add a little extra or stir in a pinch of chilli flakes. If you prefer a milder dish, use a smaller amount or opt for a milder harissa paste.
• Skipping the Olive Oil - If you'd prefer to skip the olive oil, you can use a low-calorie spray, but it won't deliver the same richness or depth of flavour. Olive oil plays a key role in sautéing the onions and spices, creating a luscious, well-rounded base for the sauce while keeping the pork moist. Keep in mind that a small amount of olive oil, divided into four servings, adds only a modest amount of calories, and it's well worth it for the enhanced flavour and overall results.

With a few simple tweaks, you can easily make this dish your own while keeping its bold and satisfying flavours.

Choosing the Best Slow Cooker

A good slow cooker can make meal prep effortless. Look for one with both low and high settings so you can adjust the cooking time to fit your schedule. A sear and sauté function is a bonus, allowing you to brown ingredients directly in the pot, but if your slow cooker doesn’t have this feature, simply brown the ground pork with the onions and seasonings in a frying pan first.

A keep-warm function is useful for holding the perfect serving temperature until you’re ready to eat, while a removable, dishwasher-safe insert makes cleanup much easier. For this recipe, I like to use my crockpot slow cooker for this recipe, but any standard slow cooker will work well.

Sides for Harissa Ground Pork

The bold, spiced flavours of this dish pair beautifully with fresh, zesty, and creamy elements. A sprinkle of fresh coriander adds brightness, while lemon slices bring a hint of acidity that cuts through the richness. A dollop of Greek yoghurt or sour cream is a great way to balance the warmth of the harissa with a cool, creamy contrast.

For something hearty, serve this dish over cooked rice or roasted potatoes, which soak up the delicious sauce. I also love pairing it with a simple garlic orzo, which adds a buttery, fragrant base to complement the flavours.

Garlic Orzo Recipe

For an easy side, sauté 1 cup of dry orzo in 2 teaspoons of butter with 1 minced garlic clove just until fragrant. Add 2 cups of stock, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the orzo is tender. Stir through chopped fresh parsley, then serve alongside the harissa ground pork for a deliciously simple pairing.

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