Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin [Video]

danIf you want something delicious that will be ready when you get home, you have to try this crockpot pork tenderloin. With the word tender in the name, you know this hunk of meat is going to melt in your mouth with each bite! Rubbed with a special flavored spice rub and a glaze with some molasses, this meal is not only easy to make, but it is also incredibly delicious. The meat is tender and juicy with a spectacular flavor that is infused into every single forkful. You can serve it for dinner and then have it as sandwiches the next day.

Easy Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Recipe

Crockpot meals are one of my favorite ways to cook for my family because I am a busy person, but we love a nice home-cooked meal. Being a professional foodie, you may think I get sick of cooking, but cooking is my passion. I could never get tired of it any more than I could get tired of breathing. But some days, I want to let dinner cook itself while I hang out with the family.

With this crockpot pork tenderloin recipe, you barely have to do anything but rub the spices on, sear the meat, and put it in the slow cooker with the sauce to cook for four to five hours. Then, let it rest, garnish with rosemary and parsley, and serve. If you have never had a pork tenderloin in the crockpot, this is the recipe you need to start with.

Covered in a flavorful spice rub, and then seared to lock in the flavors, before being slow-cooked in a garlic balsamic sauce. It’s one of the juiciest, most flavorful ways to cook this cut of pork. An easy recipe that is ideal for those lazy days when you want a hearty dinner without a lot of work! 

My whole family enjoys a nice roast for dinner, and I enjoy serving it with a couple of side dishes and a salad. The slow cooking infuses the entire cut with all that balsamic goodness. The result is ultra-tender meat with a savory-sweet sauce you’ll want to lick off the spoon!

If you are ready for a hearty comfort food that does not require you to heat the house with the oven or stand over a stove all day, try this easy recipe. Serve it with whatever sides you like or if you are like me, you won’t skip the chance to make some creamy and delicious macaroni and cheese.

Give it a try and you will be amazed at how easy and delicious this recipe is. The whole family will love it, and the leftovers taste even better the following day! It also makes a yummy sandwich the next day. Or, if you don’t have that much left, chop it up and add it to a salad or casserole.  No matter how you use your leftovers, they are always delicious after soaking up all the flavors overnight.

What you’ll need to make crockpot pork tenderloin recipe:

Special items:

• A crockpot – You will need one large enough to hold a two-pound pork tenderloin.
• Mixing bowls – For mixing the rub ingredients and the sauce.
• Large skillet – To sear the meat.

Ingredients:

• Pork tenderloin – I used a two-pound tenderloin, but you can use what you need to feed your family. Just make sure it will fit in your crockpot.
• Olive oil – Or another neutral oil for searing the meat. 
• Fresh rosemary – For a sweet and floral flavor.

For the spice rub:

• Smoked paprika – This adds a sweetness as well as a smoky flavor.
• Onion powder – To give your meat a bit of a bite with the bold flavor of onions.
• Garlic powder – Also a bold flavor that will infuse your tenderloin with a spicy sweet taste.
• Brown sugar – You need this extra sweetness.
• Dried rosemary – The dried rosemary adds an herbal floral tone.
• Cinnamon – To add to the sweetness and add a bit of a kick.
• Salt – Just a teaspoon to enhance the flavor. 
• Ground black pepper – You won’t need much but you do need it to be freshly ground for that fresh peppery flavor.

For the sauce:

• Chicken broth – I use organic low-sodium broth for the best flavor.
• Balsamic vinegar – A sweet and tangy vinegar that helps tenderize the meat as it cooks.
• Soy sauce – Always use low-sodium soy sauce so your meat is not too salty.
• Molasses – Your meat will have a sweet and smoky taste with added molasses.
• Olive oil – Use extra virgin olive oil for a light and fresh flavor.
• Smashed garlic cloves – Smashing fresh garlic cloves adds an intense garlic taste.
• Italian seasoning – With seven fresh spices and herbs, this is a wonderful blend of the best flavors. Make your own with my easy homemade Italian seasoning recipe.

How to make Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin?

Sear the meat

1. First, gather the rub ingredients and combine them well in a small bowl. 
2. Then, pat the meat as dry as possible so the rub sticks to it.
3. Massage the rub all over the meat.
4. Next, sear the meat for a few minutes on both sides. Cook on high to lock in those flavors in a bit of olive oil until golden with a bit of crust. Once seared, set aside. 

Cook low and slow`

1. Gather your sauce ingredients. Add to the pot after mixing.
2. Next, place the meat inside and brush it with the sauce. Add rosemary.
3. Turn on the crockpot and cook.
4. It’s done when the internal temperature reaches 145F. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature. 

Serve

1. Remove pork and let it rest for 3-5 minutes on a cutting board.
2. Slice, garnish with herbs, and serve with your preferred side.

Expert tip

Don’t confuse pork tenderloin and pork loin

A pork loin is a wide cut of meat from the back of the pig. It may be boned or boneless and often has a lot of fat on top, and may also be sold as pork center rib roast, center cut roast, or pork roast. It is good for braising, grilling, and roasting.

A pork tenderloin is a thin, long piece of meat with no bones and very little fat. It is cut from a muscle on the backbone and is typically sold in two or three-pound roasts. It is the most tender and lean cut of pork.

However, it can dry out in the oven because it does not have much fat to keep it moist. That is why it is perfect for slow cooking. In this recipe, I use pork tenderloin in a crockpot because it is cooked low and slow in a sauce that keeps it moist. The balsamic vinegar in the sauce also helps to make it tender and juicy.

If you bought pork loin instead, use my Crock Pot Balsamic Loin Recipe. Only have an oven in your kitchen? Enjoy similar flavors in this oven-baked version!

Recipe Variations:

• Different cut: You could also use a pork loin but cook it on high for two hours.
• Spicy crockpot pork tenderloin: Add red pepper flakes to the rub and hot sauce to the sauce for a spicy tenderloin.
• Herbs: Swap the herbs with your favorite ones. Some great alternatives would be adding some bay leaves, dried parsley, oregano, cajun seasoning, etc.
• Add veggies: Toss in some baby potatoes, sliced carrots, chopped celery, and minced bell pepper. 
• Different sauce: Instead of this sauce, experiment with other flavors like barbecue or sweet honey vinaigrette. 

Serving suggestions:

• With such a delicious sauce, you will want to serve some kind of bread to soak it up. These Amish potato dinner rolls would be perfect.
• Another favorite is to serve it on a bed of homemade mashed potatoes, or if you are in a hurry just make a microwave-baked potato or baby red potatoes.
• Soup would be a nice meal starter for this delicious entrée, go with a light tomato soup, or something more filling like creamy potato soup.
• Roasted vegetables, or a vegetable casserole, would go hand in hand with this juicy meat.
• A nice glass of wine would complement this dish nicely. I would opt for a rich red wine.
• For dessert, something light and refreshing would be great to end the meal, like this strawberry crisp recipe.

Frequently asked questions

Should pork be covered with liquid in the slow cooker?

Although your pork tenderloin needs to have some liquid in the pot while cooking, it is not a great idea to cover it completely. This can cause it to be waterlogged even if it is not water that is covering it. Try it with different flavors of sauce or you can even use Coca-Cola, orange juice, tomato juice, or apple juice.

Can you put raw pork in a slow cooker?

Yes, cooking your pork raw in the slow cooker is fine. However, I like to season and sear mine before adding it because that holds the flavors in while still being able to absorb the sauce. With a lean cut like a tenderloin, you have to make sure there is liquid in the bottom of the pot so the meat does not stick to it.

Should I cook pork in the crockpot on high or low?

Pork tenderloin has very little fat and is best cooked low and slow. You need to give it time for the proteins to break down while cooking. However, since you are using a crockpot with a juicy sauce and seared meat, cooking it on high for a few hours would also be fine.

How long to cook pork tenderloin in the crockpot?

In my recipe, it’s 3 hours (High) and 4-5 hours (Low). However, it ultimately depends on your crockpot.

Know your crockpot – how well does it heat? I encourage you to tweak the indicated time in this recipe according to how your crockpot works. You may also check at 1-hour intervals to ensure the meat doesn’t overcook.

Can you overcook the meat in a crockpot?

Yes! You don’t have to pay so much attention to your crockpot, but it’s good practice to check it once or twice during cooking.

This cut is already tender, which means it’s easy to overcook. Instead of moist and juicy meat, you might end up with dry and stringy fibers. The key is to check the internal temp using an instant-read thermometer. Once it’s at 145F, it’s ready.

What to do with leftovers?

• Refrigerate: After it cools, refrigerate your meat with the sauce in an airtight storage container for up to four days. 
• Freezing: To freeze, use a freezer-safe container like a freezer bag and it can stay frozen for three months.
• Defrost: Always defrost frozen leftovers overnight for the best results.
• Reheating: Reheat it in the sauce on the stove for five minutes or in the microwave for one to two minutes. 

Pork leftovers are great and make for a delicious and easy meal for days to come. Here are some great ideas to incorporate leftovers:

• Make a sandwich: Slice the meat and use it on a Hawaiian bun or hamburger bun. Garnish it with some horseradish, and mayo. 
• Add it to a salad: Thinly slice it and add it on top of a salad. 
• Make a rice bowl: Cube the pork, and add it on top of freshly cooked white coconut rice or brown rice. 

More delicious pork dinner recipes:

Recipe Tips:

• Trim off the tough silver skin.
• Make sure you get a pork tenderloin and not a pork loin. There is a big difference. The loin is also tender, but it is bigger and tougher, so it needs more cooking time.
• When you are ready to start preparing the meat, make sure there is no silver membrane on it. If there is, cut it away with a sharp knife.
• Always allow your meat to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing so the juices can be reabsorbed.
• Check the temperature before removing your pork tenderloin. It should be 145 degrees F on a meat thermometer.
• When freezing meat, cut it into individual servings so you can thaw just how much you need.

I love making easy and delicious pork recipes for the whole family to enjoy. Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a home-cooked meal. My other favorites are Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Loin, and Brown Sugar Garlic Pork. They taste impressive, but no one will guess how easy they are to make!