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This is the most incredible, slow-cooked Crock Pot Pork Loin you will ever taste! This easy recipe makes fall-apart tender, juicy, and flavorful pork roast that’s bursting with the flavors of garlic and balsamic.
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.
Why I Love My Crock Pot Pork Loin Recipe
- Hands-free. Sure, Instant Pots and Air Fryers are having their moment 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.
- Tender and Juicy Results. The slow cooking ensures the pork loin comes out succulent and flavorful, while the garlic balsamic glaze adds a gourmet touch that’s surprisingly easy to create.
- Versatile. 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.
- Great for Meal Prep. The leftovers are delicious and can be repurposed into even more family-friendly meals throughout the week.
If you’re on the hunt for a roasted pork loin recipe, don’t miss our popular honey garlic pork loin roast or this savory stuffed pork loin. We also have a quick and easy Instant Pot pork loin for you to try in the pressure cooker!
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 also find a pork loin roast labeled as center cut pork roast, center cut rib roast, or pork loin rib half. When compared to similarly tender beef cuts, pork loin is pretty affordable. With a few common pantry spices, this dish offers gourmet flavor without the gourmet price tag.
Recipe Ingredients
The cooking time is long and low, and the ingredients list is short and sweet! I’ve included some notes on the key ingredients you’ll need to make pork loin in the crock pot. Please scroll to the recipe card for the full amounts and recipe details.
- Pork Loin – Make sure that you’re buying pork loin and not pork tenderloin. Tenderloin will cook much faster and may turn out dry. I usually choose a boneless pork loin 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.
- Seasonings – Salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and some Italian seasoning to jazz it up.
- Chicken Broth – I use a little bit of chicken broth to add moisture.
- Olive Oil – The cooking oil is used for browning the meat and for the garlicky vinaigrette.
- Balsamic Vinegar – I love the sweetness and tang of balsamic alongside the smoky pork flavors. Another type of vinegar, like apple cider vinegar or red/white wine vinegar, will also add some acidity and brightness to the dish.
- Garlic – Fresh smashed garlic cloves give this recipe the best flavor. I use 5 whole cloves, but feel free to adjust the amount to taste.
How To Cook Pork Loin In The Crock Pot
This slow cooker pork loin is your best friend on a busy day. Just season, set, and forget. The crock pot does all the work for you. Let’s get cooking:
- Prep the pork loin. 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 the meat. Next, 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 it 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. Be careful to not overcook your pork loin, as this can make the meat tough and dry. I recommend checking the meat for doneness after the minimum cooking time, see below.
What Temperature Should Pork Loin Be Cooked To?
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.
Recipe Tips And Variations
I’ve made this crock pot recipe so many times, and I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way. Here are some final tips as well as a few easy variations that you can keep in mind when making pork loin in the crock pot:
- 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.
- Sear the pork 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. You can substitute the Italian seasoning in this recipe with fresh rosemary, thyme, oregano, or a combination of fresh herbs.
- Monitor the 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 the pork to rest. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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!
Serving Suggestions
This slow cooker pork loin is a satisfying dinner that you can leave to cook in the morning, and it’ll be ready by the time company arrives. It’s also a great family meal served with your favorite sides.
Garlic balsamic pork roast pairs nicely with any roasted vegetables. I like to serve it with these roasted green beans, my roasted Brussels sprouts, or air fryer roasted broccoli.
With sweet-savory add-ins like currants, spices, and almonds, this Mediterranean rice is delicious alongside juicy pork loin. You can also keep it classic with a side of tender jasmine rice, roasted potatoes, seasoned air fryer smashed potatoes, or mashed potatoes. Mashed cauliflower is another great pairing!
The flavors in this garlic balsamic pork loin recipe are great with the raspberry vinaigrette in my crunchy broccoli salad. A simple and flavorful tomato and cucumber salad is also an easy side dish.
Make-Ahead, Storing, and Reheating
- 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.
- Fridge. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume them within 3 days.
- Freezer. Transfer the cooked and cooled pork loin to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and store it frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost the pork in the fridge before reheating.
- To Reheat. Reheat the pork in the oven at 350ºF, in a covered baking dish (you can use aluminum foil) until hot throughout. You can also use the microwave.
More Pork Recipes
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Crock Pot 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. This recipe calls for a pork loin, not a pork tenderloin. 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, or store them 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.
Making this today. It looks and smells delicious even before I put the lid on the slow cooker. Will let you know how it turns.
I hope you’ll enjoy it! Thank YOU! ๐
I thought after reading a couple of negative reviews you’d want to heat that I found this a tremendous recipe, one I’m enjoying right now. Made a great gravy with the Juices from the crock pot and will have again very soon. Cudos!
That’s great to hear! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐
I found this to be a very blah dish. I was so hopeful as it smelled great while cooking. I had to dash it up with some balsamic glaze from a bottle during dinner. The leftovers were shredded and turned into bbq for the next meal.
Ugh. So sorry you didn’t like it. ๐ I do love the “shredded and turned into bbq” idea, though!
This recipe is amazing! I will say that I doubled the rub seasoning as I really wanted to coat the 2 tenderloins (total of 3lbs). Then I did pan sear them as suggested. However I added about 2 cups of broth to the bottom of the slow cooker instead of 1/3 cup. Then for the sauce I did equal parts olive oil and balsamic vinegar. About 1/2 cup of each along with about 7 garlic cloves. And a heaping 1/2 tbsp of Italian seasoning. This came out amazing! Loads of flavor and a nice gravy to add to the mashed potatoes I made along with it.
I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for chiming in! ๐
Was overly excited for this receipe. I made it ๐ฏ by the directions. Smells were filling my house all morning. By the time it was done no flavor. I feel like double the sauce or more to marinade prior.
I am making this for my wife’s birthday. I I forgot to thaw meat in fridge. Will it be okay if I defrost in the microwave and then add to the crock pot? Looks delicious. Btw I love all your recipes and have made tons of them.
Hi!
Yes, that is totally okay to do. I hope you’ll enjoy the roast!
Thank you for the kind words. โบ๏ธ
I might be making this today – is the nutrition information based on the whole loin, or is it per serving? If per serving, what’s the serving size. Thank you..
Nutritional info is per serving. This recipe serves 8 people. If the pork loin is 3 pounds (as per the recipe), you will want to divide that by 8, and that amounts to about 6 ounces per person.
Thank you! I’ll let you know when we make it.
Quick, easy and delicious. Cooking juices made a lovely gravy too. Will be making again ๐ xx
That’s great! I’m very happy you loved it! Thank YOU! ๐
Just so you knowโฆ internal temperature of pork should 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This high temp. Is necessary to kill the type of bacteria found in pork that causes food-borne illness. Unlike beef steaks, pork should never be pink inside.
Hello ๐
According to the USDA, the recommended safe cooking temperature for pork is 145หF.
From the USDA website, “USDA has lowered the recommended safe cooking temperature for whole cuts of pork from 160 ยบF to 145 ยบF with the addition of a three-minute rest time. Cook pork, roasts, and chops to 145 ยบF as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source, with a three-minute rest time before carving or consuming. This will result in a product that is both safe and at its best qualityโjuicy and tender.”
Foods teacher or not, I disagree. Pork is perfect at 145 degrees, I do it all the time. If you cook to 165, eat the leather from your shoe.
I totally agree!
Katerina is right. The 165 temp changed YEARS ago by USDA when standards for raising pigs were dramatically changed. ( and periodically inspected .Since then 145ยฐ has been considered safe. There SHOULD be some pink in the center. For tenderloins and loin roasts. Otherwise the pork meat will be dry. A pork SHOULDER ( also know as a Boston butt) is a longer SLOWER cook time due to fat content marbled throughout the meat. Loins and tenderloins are very low in fat. Cooking well done at 165 will be DRY. But many people want to stuck to their own opinion. So just do a bit of research on ” what does the United Stated dept of Agriculture (USDA) consider a safe temperature for pork loin or tenderloins.
This is my familyโs new favorite pork loin recipe! Thank you so much. We love it!
That’s great! I’m very glad you and your family enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐