Experience the remarkable taste of this garlic balsamic glazed Crock Pot Pork Loin. It’s an effortless recipe that results in a juicy, fall-apart tender pork loin, and it’s bursting with flavor!
If you’re on the hunt for a roasted pork loin recipe, don’t miss our popular Honey Garlic Glazed Pork Loin Roast. It’s always a crowd-pleaser!
Easy Crock Pot Pork Loin Recipe
Indulge in my deliciously comforting Crock Pot Pork Loin, glazed to perfection with a rich garlic balsamic sauce. This simple recipe guarantees a tender, juicy, and flavorful pork loin every time. Whether it’s for your loved ones at a family dinner or special guests at a dinner party, this dish is as effortless as it is spectacular!
Sure, Instant Pots and Air Fryers might be grabbing the headlines these days, but there’s an ageless charm in the humble slow cooker. On a busy weekday, imagine the satisfaction of seasoning that succulent pork roast in the morning, nestling it into the crock pot, and then heading out the door. When you return home, a perfect meal has transformed and is just waiting to be enjoyed. Whether you’re playing host at a chic dinner party or serving up some family comfort, this slow-cooked pork is sure to win hearts and tastebuds!
What Is Pork Loin?
It’s important to distinguish between a pork loin and a tenderloin – they’re different cuts of meat with variations in shape and size. Pork loin is a versatile and flavorful cut of meat, typically lean and available bone-in or boneless. It’s also wide and flat, topped with a fat cap. It’s excellent when seared and then slow-cooked in a crock pot. You might find it labeled as Center Cut Pork Roast, Center Cut Rib Roast, or Pork Loin Rib Half.
Why We Love This Pork Recipe
- Effortless Cooking: Just season, set, and forget. The crock pot does all the work for you.
- Tender and Juicy Results: The slow cooking ensures the pork loin comes out succulent and flavorful.
- Versatile: Serve it at a dinner party or as a comforting family meal. It’s suitable for any occasion.
- Rich Flavor Profile: The garlic balsamic glaze adds a gourmet touch that’s surprisingly easy to create.
- Cost-Effective: Utilizing a more economical cut like pork loin and common pantry spices, this dish offers gourmet flavor without the gourmet price tag.
- Great for Meal Prep: The leftovers are delicious and can be repurposed into various meals throughout the week.
How To Cook Pork Loin In The Crock Pot
This slow cooker pork loin is your best friend on a busy day. A little prep in the morning, a farewell to your kitchen right after that, and you can glide through the day thinking about the grub that awaits you!
Ingredients
- Pork Loin: I usually choose a boneless roast and make sure it’s not seasoned.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is the way to go here, but jarred garlic’s not a bad option if you’re in a pinch.
- Herbs, Spices, and Seasonings: Salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and some Italian seasoning to jazz it up.
- Liquids: We’ll mix things up with chicken broth, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil.
Directions
- Prep: Begin by patting dry the pork loin with paper towels. Then, combine salt, paprika, onion powder, and black pepper, and apply this rub to the pork.
- Sear: Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear the pork until golden brown. This step, while optional, forms a delicious brown crust on the roast’s surface.
- Cook: Place the pork loin in your slow cooker with the chicken broth. Blend olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and garlic in a food processor and brush this mixture over the pork. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the pork loin from the slow cooker and transfer to a cutting board. Cover the pork loin with foil and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
How Long To Cook Pork Loin In The Crock Pot
- The cooking time for slow cooker pork loin will depend on the setting. It will take about 4 to 5 hours on LOW, but on HIGH, it will take around 3 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pork is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145˚F. You should use an Instant Read Meat Thermometer to check for doneness. Simply insert it into the thickest part of the loin and wait for the read.
Another indication that your pork loin is done when cooked in the crock pot is by the color of the juices that come out of it when you poke a hole in it with a knife or fork. If the juices run clear, the pork is done cooking.
Pork loin is a very lean cut of meat, and if cooked properly, it is juicy and tender, but when overcooked, it can become dry and tough. So, use a meat thermometer and make it right.
It’s also recommended that you let the pork rest on a cutting board for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing it. If you don’t let it rest, you’ll lose all the juicy juice!
Cooking a pork loin in the slow cooker ensures an incredibly tender and juicy result. The crock pot cooks the pork loin evenly, resulting in a roast that falls apart at the touch of a fork.
Tips and Variations
- Select the Right Cut: Look for a pork loin (not pork tenderloin) that has a little bit of fat, as it will add flavor and keep the meat moist during cooking.
- Searing First: For an extra layer of flavor, consider searing the pork loin in a hot pan before placing it in the slow cooker.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and herbs will bring more vibrant flavors to the dish.
- Monitor Cooking Time: Be careful not to overcook the pork loin, as it can become dry. Using a meat thermometer ensures that the pork loin is cooked to the safe and ideal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Start checking for doneness around the minimum cooking time.
- Allow for Resting Time: Let the pork loin rest for about 10 minutes after cooking. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat.
- Customize the Glaze: Feel free to adjust the ingredients in the garlic balsamic glaze to suit your taste preferences.
- Add Vegetables: You can add vegetables like carrots or potatoes to the crock pot for a complete one-pot meal.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the glaze and season the pork the night before, store it in the fridge, and then simply place it in the crock pot in the morning.
- Proper Storage: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume them within 3 days.
What To Serve with Crock Pot Pork Loin
- This garlic balsamic pork roast is so good with any roasted veggie. I like to serve it with these Roasted Green Beans, my Roasted Brussels Sprouts, or Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli.
- It also pairs really well with potatoes: Roasted Potatoes, Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes, or Mashed Potatoes are my faves. Mashed Cauliflower is another great pairing!
More Pork Recipes
- Instant Pot Pork Loin
- Crock Pot Pork Chops
- Smothered Pork Chops
- Oven Baked Bone-In Pork Chops
- Grilled Pork Roast
ENJOY!
Crock Pot Garlic Balsamic Pork Loin
Ingredients
- 3 pound boneless pork loin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika, sweet or smoked
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup chicken broth
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 5 cloves garlic, smashed
- ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Pat dry the pork with paper towels.
- Combine salt, paprika, onion powder, and black pepper in a small bowl; whisk to combine. Take the rub and sprinkle it all over the pork.
- Add 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet and set it over medium heat; add the pork and sear for a couple of minutes on each side or until golden brown.
- In a blender or food processor, combine the remaining olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and garlic; process until combined and thickened. Add Italian seasoning and whirl for just a couple of seconds to combine.
- Add chicken broth to the insert of your slow cooker. Place the pork loin, fat side up, in the slow cooker. Using a pastry brush, brush the prepared balsamic mixture all over the pork loin.
- Cover the slow cooker with a lid and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours.
- Check for doneness by inserting an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat; pork is done when its internal temperature reaches 145˚F.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and transfer it to a cutting board; cover the pork with foil and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
- Serve.
Notes
- Pork Loin: We are using a pork loin, not a pork tenderloin, for this recipe. There is quite a difference between the two cuts, including cooking time.
- Seasonings: Use your favorite blend, or use what the recipe suggests.
- Avoid Overcooking: Pork loin is a very lean cut of meat, and if cooked properly, it is juicy and tender, but when overcooked, it can be dry and tough. Please use an Instant Read Meat Thermometer to check for doneness; pork is cooked through when the internal temperature registers at 145˚F.
- Let It Rest: Also, let the pork roast rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the pork loin, leading to a moister end result.
- Storing: Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate them for 3 days. To freeze, store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Pork leftovers can be used on sandwiches, or you can slice the pork into strips and put it in tacos or fajitas!
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
