Fantastic Cheap Meat Dinners Using Pork Roasts and Your Crock Pot

One of the best cheap meat deals in the grocery stores these days are boneless pork roasts. These small roasts are about the size of a flattened papaya and usually packaged in a "family pack" containing two or three roasts priced for under $2 a pound. With beef prices so darned expensive for most families, a cheap pork roast is an inexpensive way to serve up a meat entree for lunch or dinner.

Boneless pork roasts are surprisingly versatile and can be substituted for beef in many recipes. Here's a few ways that I prepare pork roasts.

Pork Medallions.
Pork medallions are a great, low cost alternative to pork chops and are made by simply slicing a chilled pork roast into 1/2-inch thick pieces. These medallions can be prepared just like you might prepare pork chops or can be cooked in a Crock Pot.

Our favorite low cost, low calorie way to prepare pork medallions is by placing the sliced pork roast in the Crock Pot and cover with 1/2-cup sliced onions, 1/2 cup chopped peppers, 1 sliced zucchini, and a 16 ounce jar of Mexican stewed tomatoes. Replace the lid, and let stew on high for 4-6 hours, or low for 8-10 hours.

Pulled pork.
Pulled pork can be prepared in the Crock Pot as well. To make your own pulled pork, place the pork roast in the crock, add 1/2 cup of water, and lightly salt. Replace the lid, and let stew on low for 8-10 hours. Slow stewed pork can be pulled apart with a couple of forks and used as a sandwich filling, or as a hamburger substitute in Tex Mex and Italian dishes. If the longer strands of pork are tough to manage for your family, merely cube the pork before tossing it in the Crock Pot.

To make barbecue pork for sandwiches, add half a jar of barbecue sauce to the pork roast the last two hours of cooking.

Roasted Pork.
For a more traditional roasted meat, a Crock Pot can also do the job. Season the boneless pork roast with your favorite seasoning, place on a rack in your Crock Pot and cover. Cook on high for 1 hour, then turn to Low for 8-10 hours.

More by this contributor:
How to make Boston Brown Bread in the Crock Pot.
How to make cheap enchilada, taco meat in the Crock Pot.
Ten ways to cut food expenses and increase your savings.