Cody Casey
Slow-cooked pork loin is a tasty, tender, and juicy meal that can be cooked in a crock pot. It is a simple recipe that can be served with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, gravy, or even used as a filling for sandwiches or tacos. The pork loin can be seasoned with a dry rub of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, and cooked with vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, onions, and celery. It is important to note that lean meats like pork loin can dry out if overcooked, so it is recommended to cook it on high for 2 to 2.5 hours or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. With its versatility and ease of preparation, crock-pot pork loin is a delicious option for a family meal or leftovers.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Plain Pork Loin in a Crock Pot:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat Type | Pork Tenderloin/Pork Loin |
| Weight | 1-5 lbs |
| Meat Temperature | 145°F |
| Crock Pot Temperature | High |
| Cook Time | 2-2.5 hours |
| Rest Time | 10 minutes |
| Sauce | BBQ Sauce, Honey Balsamic Sauce, Tomato Sauce |
| Seasoning | Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Chilli Powder, Paprika, Red Pepper, Brown Sugar, Cider Vinegar, Oregano, Garlic, Mustard, Kosher Salt |
| Vegetables | Potatoes, Carrots, Celery, Onions, Asparagus, Eggplant |
| Starch | Bread, Rolls, Rice |
| Sides | Coleslaw, Salads, Chips, Roasted Vegetables |
| Leftovers | Sandwiches, Tacos, Pizza, Pasta, Fried Rice |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Prepping the pork loin
Now, here are the steps for prepping the pork loin:
Defrosting and Drying:
If your pork loin is frozen, it is recommended to defrost it first. You can let it thaw at room temperature for an hour or two, ensuring the outer layer is no longer frozen. This step is crucial if you want any rub or seasoning to adhere to the meat effectively.
Seasoning and Searing:
For seasoning, you can create a dry rub by combining salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Generously rub this mixture all over the pork loin. Additionally, you can sear the meat before placing it in the crockpot. To do this, heat a large skillet to medium-high heat and add oil. Once the oil is shimmering hot, place the pork loin in the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until it is golden brown on all sides.
Adding Vegetables and Liquid:
If you plan to add vegetables like potatoes, carrots, onions, or celery to the crockpot, cut them into uniform pieces, and place them at the bottom. Adding vegetables will create a more complete meal. Additionally, pork loin tends to be a drier cut of meat, so it is recommended to add some liquid to the crockpot. This can be broth, water, or even apple juice for extra flavor.
Cooking Temperature and Timing:
The cooking temperature and timing will depend on the desired doneness of the pork loin. For a slower cook, set your crockpot to low and cook for 8-10 hours. If you prefer a faster cook, set it to high, and the pork loin should be ready in about 2-2.5 hours.
Remember, pork loin is prone to drying out, so it is crucial to monitor the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Remove the pork loin from the crockpot when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
Once the pork loin is cooked, let it rest for 10-20 minutes before shredding or slicing. You can then return the shredded pork to the crockpot and mix it with barbecue sauce or other sauces according to your preference.
Toasting Pine Nuts: Quick, Easy Pan Method
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cooking the pork loin
Firstly, it is important to note that pork tenderloin and pork loin are two different cuts of meat and cannot be used interchangeably. Pork loin is thicker and looks more like a roast with a fat cap on top, weighing closer to 3-4 lbs. On the other hand, pork tenderloin is thinner and about 1 foot long, weighing around 1 lb.
For the pork loin, you can either sear the meat first or directly place it in the crock pot. If you choose to sear it, heat a large skillet on medium-high heat and add oil. Once the oil is shimmering hot, sear the pork loin for about 3 minutes per side or until golden brown all over.
Next, prepare the sauce by whisking together chicken broth, sliced onion, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, and any other desired spices. You can also use a can of diced tomatoes, brown sugar, cider vinegar, garlic, salt, oregano, paprika, and red pepper blended until smooth.
Now, rub the pork loin with a mixture of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Alternatively, you can use a dry rub or a garlic herb rub. Place the pork loin in the crock pot and pour the sauce over it.
Cover the crock pot and cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 8-10 hours, depending on the size of the pork loin and the age of your crock pot. The internal temperature of the pork loin should reach at least 145°F.
Once the pork loin is cooked, remove it from the crock pot and let it rest for 10-20 minutes before shredding or slicing. You can shred the meat using two forks.
For pulled pork, return the shredded pork to the crock pot and add onions and BBQ sauce. Cook on high for another 15-30 minutes or until heated throughout.
You can serve the pulled pork on toasted rolls with sharp cheddar cheese and sauce for dipping. Leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months and used in various dishes such as pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, and salads.
Transmission Pan Bolt Count for AOD Transmissions
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Shredding the pork loin
You can also shred the pork loin and toss it with BBQ sauce for pulled pork tacos or sliders. Alternatively, freeze the shredded pork for later use. It will keep for up to three months.
Greasy Breakfast: Keep Eggs from Sticking to the Pan
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Making a sauce
To make a sauce for your pulled pork, you can use the juices from the crock pot and add some BBQ sauce to taste. You can also add spices such as cumin, paprika, black pepper, and red pepper to taste. If you want a thicker sauce, you can add a tablespoon of corn starch.
If you want to make a gravy, you can use the pan drippings from the crock pot and add some broth or water. You can also make a rub for your pork loin by combining salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. If you want a glaze, you can whisk together honey, balsamic vinegar, and garlic.
For a simple sauce, you can just use BBQ sauce and some spices. If you want a more complex flavor, you can add beer, hard cider, or non-alcoholic cider. You can also use apple juice or water in a pinch. To make the sauce richer and darker, you can add molasses.
If you're looking for a smoky flavor, you can rub the pork with chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, brown sugar, salt, and pepper before searing it. You can also add liquid smoke to your sauce to give it a smoky flavor.
Experiment with different combinations of spices and liquids to find your perfect sauce!
Leftovers in Pans: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Serving suggestions
Once you've cooked your plain pork loin in the crock pot, you can shred the meat and serve it with a variety of side dishes and sauces. Here are some serving suggestions:
Sides
- Roasted vegetables—carrots, potatoes, onions, and celery can be cooked in the crock pot along with the pork loin
- Mashed potatoes—try cream cheese mashed potatoes, cheesy yukon gold mashed potatoes, or garlic mashed potatoes
- Roasted potato wedges
- Cornbread muffins
- Rice—serve the shredded pork over rice or add it to fried rice the next day
- Salad—a simple green salad or a broccoli salad
- Gravy—use the pan drippings to make a simple pork gravy in 10 minutes or less
Sauces
- BBQ sauce—toss the shredded pork with BBQ sauce to make pulled pork
- Dill pickle slaw—serve the BBQ pulled pork with a side of dill pickle slaw
Other
- Sandwiches—use the leftover shredded pork to make sandwiches, adding pickles and fresh herbs
- Tacos or sliders—use the BBQ pulled pork as a filling
- Soup—make a chile verde soup with leftover shredded pork
- Pizza topping—top a pizza with the shredded pork
- Pasta—add the shredded pork to your favourite pasta dish
Creating Pan Animation on Logix: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Pork loin can be cooked in a crock pot or slow cooker. First, rub a mixture of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder all over the pork loin. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering hot, sear the pork loin on all sides until golden brown, which should take about 3 minutes per side. Place the pork in the crock pot and add vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, onions, and celery. Add broth or water, ensuring there is enough liquid in the crock pot. Set the crock pot to low and cook for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the crock pot and let it cool for 15-20 minutes. Shred the pork using two forks and return it to the crock pot.
Cook the shredded pork on high for a minimum of 30 minutes or until bubbly and juicy.
Shredded pork can be served with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, gravy, or in sandwiches with BBQ sauce.
