Tiffany Haney
Cooking roast pork loin in a crock pot is a simple, tasty, and budget-friendly way to feed your family. It's a versatile dish that can be adapted to your schedule, whether you want to sear the meat first for added flavour or skip that step to save time. You can also customise the sauce to your taste, whether you prefer garlic, honey, or a simple salt and pepper seasoning. The best cut of meat for this recipe is a boneless pork loin, which you can pick up from your local butcher. It's a great option for busy days, as you can prep the crock pot in the morning and come home to a delicious, ready-made meal in the evening.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of meat | Pork loin |
| Cut | Wide cut |
| Weight | 2-5 lbs |
| Bone | Boneless |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder |
| Searing | Optional |
| Sauce | Honey, balsamic vinegar, low-sodium chicken broth, cornstarch |
| Vegetables | Carrots, potatoes, onions, celery |
| Cooking time | 3-6 hours on low |
| Temperature | 145°F |
| Calories | 157 |
| Carbohydrates | 1g |
| Protein | 25g |
| Fat | 4g |
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What You'll Learn
Seasoning and Browning the Pork
For a wet rub, or spice paste, combine salt, pepper, garlic, honey, balsamic vinegar, and oil. You can also add apple juice for extra flavour. If your pork loin is frozen, let it thaw at room temperature for an hour or two so that the rub adheres to the meat.
To brown the pork, heat a large skillet on medium-high heat and add oil. Once the oil is shimmering hot, add the seasoned pork loin and sear for about 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown all over. This step can be done before or after slow cooking, but it is important for a great flavour.
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Cooking Time and Temperature
The cooking time and temperature for a roast pork loin in a crock pot can vary depending on the size of the pork loin and the age of the crock pot. Most pork loins vary between two to five pounds, and that can affect cooking time. A four-pound boneless pork loin is usually done in about six hours when cooked on low.
The cooking time can also vary depending on the desired level of doneness. For a pork loin roast, the meat is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. This can be checked using an instant-read thermometer inserted into the middle of the pork loin.
For a 2- to 3-pound boneless pork loin, the cooking time on low is between 2.5 to 3.5 hours. If the pork loin is frozen, the cooking time can be extended to 10 hours on low (up to 11 hours is fine).
It is recommended to cook pork loin on low heat in the crock pot rather than on high. This allows the meat to become tender and juicy. On the other hand, pork shoulder, which is a tougher cut of pork, can be cooked on high heat for a shorter time.
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Choosing the Right Cut of Pork
When selecting a pork loin, opt for one that is closer to five pounds if you are feeding a large group or planning to have leftovers. A boneless pork loin is preferable if you want a faster cooking time, but bone-in pork loins are also suitable for crockpot roasting. Ensure that the pork loin is trimmed of excess fat to prevent too much surface fat from melting into the braising liquid, which will become your sauce. Skinless pork is also recommended for the same reason.
If you are unable to find pork loin, you can use pork tenderloin in the same quantity by weight. Adjust your cooking time accordingly, as tenderloin will cook faster due to its smaller size. For an even larger cut of meat, you can opt for a pork shoulder roast, also known as a Boston butt, picnic roast, or butt roast. This cut is very affordable and ideal for crockpot recipes as it benefits from a long, slow cook to break down the fibres and fat. Depending on the weight of your pork shoulder, it can take anywhere from eight to twelve hours to cook on low heat.
When in doubt, ask your butcher for advice on choosing the right cut of pork for your crockpot roast. They can guide you based on your specific needs and preferences, ensuring you select the best option for a delicious and tender roast.
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Making a Sauce
A sauce can be made to accompany the pork loin and vegetables. The sauce can be made in the crock pot itself, or separately on the stove.
To make the sauce in the crock pot, place the pork loin on a bed of vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes, and generously season with salt and pepper. Then, make a sauce by whisking together honey, balsamic vinegar, low-sodium chicken broth, and cornstarch. Pour the sauce over the pork and vegetables, cover, and cook on low heat.
Alternatively, you can make a sauce using the juices remaining in the crock pot after cooking the pork. Transfer the juices to a saucepan and add a mixture of cornstarch and water, stirring continuously until thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Another option is to make a simple honey butter sauce by reducing the juices remaining in the crock pot and thickening them with cornflour.
You can also add other ingredients to the crock pot to create a sauce, such as apple juice, garlic, or soy sauce.
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Serving Suggestions
There are many ways to serve a roast pork loin cooked in a crock pot. The meat goes well with roasted vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, and onions. You can cook the vegetables in the crock pot with the meat, or separately as a side dish. If you choose to cook the vegetables with the meat, place them in the bottom of the crock pot and put the pork loin on top. This will allow the juices from the meat to drip down and flavour the vegetables.
To make a gravy to accompany the dish, transfer the juices from the crock pot to a saucepan and add a cornstarch slurry. Bring the mixture to a boil and season with salt and pepper.
You can also serve the roast pork loin with a salad, such as kale or creamy ranch. Bread is another good option to serve with the pork, such as cornbread muffins or olive bread with Parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes.
Leftover pork freezes well and can be used in dishes such as tacos, sandwiches, or as a pizza topping.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking times vary depending on the size of the pork loin and the age of the crock pot. A 2-3 pound boneless pork loin will take 2.5 to 3.5 hours to cook on low heat. A 4-pound boneless pork loin will take around 6 hours.
You will need a pork loin, salt, pepper, chicken broth, honey, balsamic vinegar, cornstarch, and vegetables of your choice (commonly carrots and potatoes).
It is recommended to season the pork loin generously with salt and pepper and sear it in a pan before placing it in the crock pot. You can also make a rub with garlic powder and onion powder for extra flavor.
The pork loin should reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F to be considered done. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
