This simple recipe for a slow cooker pork loin roast has a tasty garlic herb rub and is cooked in apple juice to add extra flavor. It is so tender that you won’t even have to do much to make it!
But for the past year or two, I’ve been making this Slow Cooker Pork Loin recipe at least once a month. And it’s so good, and so tender.
With its affordability, versatility, and juicy flavor when cooked properly, pork loin roast is a weeknight dinner hero. But to get the full tender, moist potential from this lean cut, it’s essential to know exactly how long to cook pork loin roast in the crock pot. Undercook it and you’ll be met with disappointingly tough, rubbery meat Cook it too long and it dries into stringy oblivion So what’s the magic timing for guaranteed fall-off-the-bone pork perfection in the slow cooker? Read on, I’m sharing all my secrets.
After extensive testing, I’ve determined the ideal crock pot cook times and temperatures for pork loin roast at any size. Follow my simple instructions and you’ll enjoy the most mouthwateringly tender and delicious home-cooked roast pork your family has ever tasted. Let’s get to the good stuff!
Best Pork Loin Roast Size for the Crock Pot
I recommend using a 2-3 pound boneless pork loin roast for the crock pot. This size fits nicely into most 6-quart slow cookers and offers plenty of servings for leftovers.
For a smaller 1-2 pound roast reduce the cook time slightly. Larger 4-5 pound roasts can work but may need extra moisture – baste them with pan juices/broth every few hours.
No matter what size you cook, always rely on a meat thermometer for doneness, not just cook time
How Long to Cook a 2-3 lb Pork Loin Roast in the Crock Pot
For a 2-3 pound boneless pork loin roast, the ideal crock pot cook time is 6-8 hours on LOW. This long, slow cook gently breaks down the pork’s collagen into luscious gelatin for meat that falls apart at the slightest nudge of a fork.
Cooking on HIGH can work in a pinch if you’re short on time, but the texture may be slightly firmer. For HIGH, cook 3-4 hours.
Tips for Maximizing Tenderness
A few small tweaks make all the difference in porky crock pot perfection:
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Season generously – A bold dry rub enhances flavor and helps break down collagen.
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Brown first – Searing the roast adds flavorful fond for moisture and taste.
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Use a rack – Elevating it off the bottom prevents sogginess.
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Add liquid – Broth, juice, or even water keeps it from drying out.
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Rest before slicing – Letting it sit redistributes juices.
How to Tell When Pork Loin Roast is Done
The most foolproof test for doneness is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. Pork is perfectly cooked and safe to eat at 145°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, check that the meat shreds easily with a fork.
At 145° the interior will be slightly pink but this is normal and healthy for pork. Letting it go to 160°F results in overcooked dryness.
Flavorful Seasonings and Sauces
Beyond the basic crock pot timing, flavor is everything. For seasoning, I recommend:
- Herb Rub – Rosemary, thyme, garlic, salt, pepper
- BBQ Rub – Chili powder, brown sugar, paprika, cumin
- Asian Marinade – Soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger
And for sauces, go with:
- Apple Cider Glaze – Sweet tangy goodness
- Garlic Herb Sauce – Earthy and rich
- Spicy BBQ – Smoky with a kick
So there you have it – everything you need to know for a guaranteed tender and juicy pork loin roast cooked to perfection in the crock pot. Just season it up, set that slow cooker to low, and in 6-8 hours you’ll be feasting on the most succulent, fall-apart roast pork ever to grace your dinner table.
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Slow Cooker Pork Loin FAQs
The pork loin (or roast) can be cooked on low for eight hours or high for five hours. How long it takes to cook will depend on how big the pork loin is and how hot your slow cooker is.
Pork is cooked when it reaches 145 degrees F. A meat thermometer is the best way to tell if meat is done. That way, we get perfectly cooked meat that is still juicy and not pork that is too cooked!
If you don’t have apple juice, you can use chicken or vegetable broth, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, or even Root Beer to cook your pork loin. Have fun being creative!
If you sear a pork loin before putting it in the crockpot, you can get a nice crust and add flavor. Because life is busy, I don’t always sear the pork first. We love this crockpot pork loin the same way, so I usually skip that step to avoid having to wash a big pan
Absolutely! Leftover cooked pork freezes perfectly and is great in so many meals. You can put it in the slow cooker with barbecue sauce to make Crock Pot Pulled Pork, or you can heat it up and serve it with roasted vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes. See more ideas below!.
About this Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast recipe
This dry rub is like the one I used on my Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin, but you have to cover a lot more ground pork when you make a crockpot pork roast.
When boneless pork loins are on sale, I love to buy a couple and freeze them for weeks when I need a quick, hearty meal that doesn’t take much work. Plus, there’s so much you can do with leftover pork loin!.
You can just put the pork loin in the crockpot with water, salt, and pepper. It will be fine, and you won’t even have to spend more than two minutes getting it ready.
Don’t stop there, though. Try this dry rub for pork roast if you want to do something even better. Putting this crock pot pork loin together would be even easier if you made a big batch and stored it in an old spice jar.
Even if you don’t, it will only take you 5–10 minutes in the morning and you’ll have easy meals for the rest of the week! A typical pork loin weighs about 5 pounds, so there’s plenty to go around, and it freezes great too!
Crock Pot Pork Loin, Easy Slow Cooker Recipe- Family Favorite
FAQ
Is it better to cook pork in a crock pot on high or low?
How long should a pork loin be cooked per pound?
Can you overcook a pork roast in a slow cooker?
How do you keep pork roast from drying out in a crock pot?
How long to cook a pork roast in a slow cooker?
Whether you brown the pork before or after slow cooking, don’t skip this step, it’s imperative for great flavour! How long to cook a pork roast in the slow cooker – for pork loin, 4 to 5 hours on low for tender, juicy perfection. Pork shoulder needs to be cooked for 10 hours on low for a 1.5 – 2.5kg / 3 – 5 lb pork roast.
How to cook pork loin in a slow cooker?
1. Prepare slow cooker cooking liquid Start by adding the chicken broth, sliced onion, and soy sauce. Give it all a stir. 2. Prepare Make a rub by combining the following: salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Rub this mixture all over the pork loin. 3. Sear the pork (optional) Place a large skillet on medium-high heat, then add oil.
How long do you cook a pork loin in a crock pot?
Whisk together all the ingredients for the sauce in a medium bowl, except the water and cornstarch. Pour the sauce over the pork loin and place pats of butter on top. Cook on LOW for 2 – 3 ½ hours or until the internal temp of the pork loin reaches 140°-145° F (60° to 63°C) at the thickest part of the loin.
How do you cook a pork tenderloin in a slow cooker?
Rub the pork roast with the seasoning mixture. In a fry pan over high heat, heat 2 Tbsp oil. Quickly sear the roast until nicely browned on all sides. In the slow cooker, place the pork in the middle. Next, surround the pork with the carrots, potatoes, apples, onion, and rosemary. Lastly, pour in the chicken stock.