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the cranberry pork mixture in bowls and the dutch oven, from above

Cranberry Pork Bowls (Paleo, Whole30, AIP)

Author: Michele
Servings: 4 servings
This warm dinner recipe combines ground pork and flavorful fall ingredients like butternut squash and cranberries to make a wonderful, easy meal. Paleo, Whole30, and AIP
Note: This recipe was updated in 2021 to be fully AIP-compliant and a lot easier to make.
4.80 from 5 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium Butternut Squash (peeled, seeded, and cut into small chunks)
  • 1/2 tsp Sea Salt (divided)
  • 1/2 tsp dried Sage
  • 2 tbs Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil, or Olive Oil (divided)
  • 1 medium Onion (diced)
  • 2 stalks Celery (diced)
  • 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 2 lbs Ground Pork (or Ground Turkey or Chicken)
  • 1/4 tsp dried Thyme (finely chopped)
  • 2 Apples (cored and diced)
  • 1 cup Cranberries (fresh, frozen, or dried*)
  • 1 bunch Baby Spinach, Kale, or Chard (chopped and tough stems removed)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425 F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Place diced squash on the baking sheet and toss with 1/4 tsp sea salt, the dried sage, and 1 tbsp of the oil.
    butternut squash on a baking sheet
  • Roast squash for 20-30 min or until soft.
  • Meanwhile, heat a large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat. Melt the remaining 1 tbsp oil and then add the onions and celery. Cook until the onions are translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
  • Add the ground pork to the pan, breaking it up with your hands. Season with the remaining 1/4 tsp of sea salt and the dried thyme. Continue to cook, breaking up the pork with a spatula or wooden spoon, until the pork is browned and cooked all the way through.
  • Add the apples and cranberries to the pot and stir well. Cover the pot and turn the heat down to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Add the spinach (or kale or chard) and the squash to the pot and stir. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the greens have wilted. Serve!
    Cranberry Pork bowl closeup in a white bowl

Notes

*If you use dried cranberries for Whole30, make sure they are fruit-juice sweetened. If you use dried cranberries for AIP you'll need to find ones that aren't tossed with sunflower seed oil (or other seed oils) You can also make your own dried cranberries - see how here.

Nutrition

Calories: 839kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 44gFat: 56gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 163mgSodium: 511mgPotassium: 2006mgFiber: 10gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 28075IUVitamin C: 76mgCalcium: 233mgIron: 6mg
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet Gluten Free
Keyword: AIP, Autoimmune Paleo, autoimmune protocol, dinner, make ahead, Paleo, Whole30
Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment below or share a photo on Instagram and tag me @thrivingautoimmune !