Tiffany Haney
Cooking pork tenderloin in a crock pot is a simple process that yields juicy, tender meat. It is a convenient method for cooking less expensive portions of meat to make them more tender and tasty than other forms of cookery. The crock pot's slow cooking allows the meat to absorb the flavours of the spices and sauces added, resulting in a delicious meal. With just a few minutes of preparation and some common ingredients, you can have a tasty dinner cooking while you relax or spend time with friends and family.
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What You'll Learn
Prep and ingredients
Preparing a pork tenderloin in a crock pot is a simple process that requires minimal prep and just a handful of ingredients.
Firstly, trim any excess fat and the silver skin from the pork tenderloin. You can then make cuts in the meat and insert apple slices for added flavour. Next, prepare your spice rub. A typical spice rub might include brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. You can also experiment with other spices and ingredients such as rosemary, thyme, cinnamon, mustard, or hot sauce. Coat the tenderloin with the spice rub, ensuring it is covered on all sides.
For the crock pot, you will need to add a liquid, such as beef broth, to the slow cooker. Place the tenderloin in the crock pot, along with any remaining spice rub. You can also add butter to the crock pot, placing it around and on top of the tenderloin.
If you want to add vegetables, potatoes and carrots are a great option. You can also add onions, either by including them in the crock pot or by sautéing them first and adding them to the broth.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time for pork tenderloin in a crock pot varies depending on the desired level of doneness and the specific appliance being used. It is important to note that pork tenderloin is a lean cut of meat and can dry out if overcooked. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the internal temperature of the meat to ensure it does not exceed the recommended temperature range of 145°F.
When cooking on a high setting, the pork tenderloin should be cooked for approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach at least 145°F. This temperature ensures that the meat is safe to consume and helps prevent overcooking, resulting in juicy and tender meat.
For those who prefer a slower cooking process, the low setting can be utilized. On low heat, the pork tenderloin should be cooked for approximately 4 hours. Similar to the high setting, it is advisable to use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 145°F before removing the meat from the crock pot.
It is worth mentioning that slow cookers can vary significantly in terms of cooking time. Therefore, it is recommended to check the progress after 1 hour on high or 2 hours on low to prevent overcooking. This allows for adjustments to be made based on the specific appliance's performance.
Additionally, the cooking time can be influenced by the presence of other ingredients in the crock pot. For instance, when cooking pork tenderloin with vegetables such as potatoes and carrots, the cooking time on high heat may extend to 3 to 4 hours to ensure that the vegetables are adequately cooked.
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Resting and serving
Pork tenderloin goes well with many side dishes. You can serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, or microwave mashed potatoes and frozen green beans. It also pairs well with Mexican corn, potato packets, or a quick and easy kale salad. If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat the leftovers in the slow cooker or on the stovetop, slicing the meat before reheating.
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Reheating and storing
Once the meat has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2-3 months.
When reheating, you can use a crock pot, microwave, oven, sous vide machine, or stove top. If you're reheating in a crock pot, add a splash of chicken broth, gravy, sauce, or butter to keep the meat juicy. Cover the crock pot and set it to low heat for 1-2 hours, depending on the thickness of your slices and the temperature of your crock pot.
If you're reheating in the microwave or oven, you can gently warm the pork slices until heated through. You can also reheat in a convection oven, but be sure to cover the dish tightly to prevent moisture loss. For a sous vide machine, set the temperature to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and heat for 10-15 minutes for smaller pieces, and 20-30 minutes for a whole tenderloin.
If you're reheating on the stove top, you can add some sauce, gravy, or broth to prevent the pork from drying out. If you're reheating a whole tenderloin, it's best to let it rest for 2-3 minutes before slicing.
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Recipe variations
There are several ways to vary the crock pot pork tenderloin recipe. Here are some ideas:
- Spices and Seasonings: Experiment with different spices and seasonings to create a unique flavour profile. For example, you could try using smoked paprika instead of chili powder, or adding some hot sauce to give it a kick. Other seasonings you can use include garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Sauces: In addition to barbecue sauce, you can use other sauces such as teriyaki sauce or beef gravy. If you're using a thicker sauce, you may need to adjust the cooking time to ensure the meat is cooked through.
- Broths: While beef broth is commonly used in this recipe, you can also try using chicken broth or even making your own beef broth by sautéing onions and scraping up the bits into the broth before pouring it into the crockpot.
- Sides: Serve your pork tenderloin with a variety of sides such as mashed potatoes, rice, Mexican corn, potato packets, or a kale salad. If you're serving it with a sauce, don't forget to spoon the liquid over the slices when serving!
- Meat alternatives: While pork tenderloin is the star of this show, you can also try the recipe with other meats such as beef or chicken. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Vegetables: Add some vegetables to the crockpot, such as onions, garlic, red bell peppers, or mushrooms. Not only will they add flavour to the dish, but they'll also boost your vegetable intake!
- Gravy: If you're looking for a heartier meal, you can make a gravy to go with your pork tenderloin. Simply strain the liquid from the crockpot and whisk in a cornstarch slurry to thicken it.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 2 to 2 1/2 hours on a high setting or 4 hours on a low setting.
Pork is considered safe to eat at an internal temperature of 145°F.
First, trim any excess fat off the tenderloin. Next, make a seasoning rub with spices like brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. Coat the tenderloin with the rub, place it in the crock pot, and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. Let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
It is not recommended to cook frozen pork tenderloin in a crock pot. It is best to defrost it first and then cook it according to the above instructions.
You can serve crock pot pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes, rice, green beans, or a side salad.
