On a weeknight when the oven feels like too much, I pull out the slow cooker and let a simple pork tenderloin do the work, the house fills with a low warm smell as dinner takes care of itself, and that quiet ease is exactly why I turn to Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin when I need a hands-off, reliable meal.
Why You’ll Love It
This recipe works because it gives you a moist, flavorful pork without standing at the stove. It fits into busy evenings and lightens the load when you have errands or kids to shepherd. People who like tender lean meat and a sticky glaze will enjoy how forgiving the slow cooker is, and it pairs easily with quick sides for a ready weeknight dinner.
Serves 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes |
Cook Time: 180 minutes |
Total Time: 195 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 to 2 lb pork tenderloin, trimmed
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil for searing
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme or 1 tbsp fresh chopped thyme
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
- 8 oz green beans, trimmed
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the pork dry and season all over with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat and brown the tenderloin on all sides, about 2 minutes per side. This step is optional but adds flavor.
- Place halved baby potatoes in the base of the crock pot and nestle the seared pork on top. Tuck green beans around the sides.
- Whisk together chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, Dijon, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and thyme, pour the mixture over the pork and vegetables.
- Cook on low for 3 hours or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145 F and potatoes are tender. If your slow cooker runs hot, check at 2 1/2 hours.
- Remove the pork to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes, strain the cooking liquid into a small saucepan, simmer until reduced and slightly thickened to a glaze, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Slice the pork against the grain, spoon the reduced glaze over the slices, garnish with parsley and serve with the potatoes and green beans.
Tips & Tricks
- Searing is worth the extra 5 minutes for color and flavor but skip it if you are short on time.
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking, pork tenderloin is best at 145 F.
- If your glaze is too thin after straining, simmer it until it coats the back of a spoon.
- Place potatoes under the pork so they cook in the juices and pick up more flavor.
- Slice pork after a short rest to keep juices locked in.
Serving Ideas
- Weeknight dinner with a simple green salad and crusty bread.
- Weekend family meal served alongside mashed potatoes.
- Light lunch sliced over mixed greens for a protein boost.
- Meal prep sliced pork packed with roasted veggies for lunches.
- Casual dinner party plated with a bright herb salad and roasted carrots.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I cook pork tenderloin in a crock pot on low
Cook on low about 3 hours for a 1 1/2 to 2 lb tenderloin, check temperature at 145 F to avoid overcooking
Can I skip searing the pork before placing it in the slow cooker
Yes you can skip searing, the pork will still cook through, but searing adds extra flavor and better color
Can I cook frozen pork tenderloin in the crock pot
It is safer to thaw pork before slow cooking to ensure even cooking and food safety, plan ahead and thaw overnight in the fridge
How do I thicken the sauce from the crock pot
Strain the juices into a saucepan and simmer until reduced, or whisk in a 1 tsp cornstarch slurry and cook until glossy
Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin
This recipe works because it gives you a moist, flavorful pork without standing at the stove. It fits into busy evenings and lightens the load when you have errands or kids to shepherd. People who like tender lean meat and a sticky glaze will enjoy how forgiving the slow cooker is, and it pairs easily with quick sides for a ready weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 to 2 lb pork tenderloin, trimmed
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil for searing
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme or 1 tbsp fresh chopped thyme
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
- 8 oz green beans, trimmed
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the pork dry and season all over with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat and brown the tenderloin on all sides, about 2 minutes per side. This step is optional but adds flavor.
- Place halved baby potatoes in the base of the crock pot and nestle the seared pork on top. Tuck green beans around the sides.
- Whisk together chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, Dijon, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and thyme, pour the mixture over the pork and vegetables.
- Cook on low for 3 hours or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145 F and potatoes are tender. If your slow cooker runs hot, check at 2 1/2 hours.
- Remove the pork to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes, strain the cooking liquid into a small saucepan, simmer until reduced and slightly thickened to a glaze, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Slice the pork against the grain, spoon the reduced glaze over the slices, garnish with parsley and serve with the potatoes and green beans.
Conclusion
This Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin makes weeknights simpler without sacrificing flavor, it gives you tender meat and a glaze that feels special with almost no hands on time, trust the slow cooker for consistent results, try a variation or two and keep notes so you can repeat your favorite version, and remember small prep steps done ahead make these dinners even easier.
