Slow Cooker Pork Loin

This is the most tender Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast recipe ever! It’s served with potatoes and a savory gravy for the perfect meal. Enjoy!

This slow cooker pork loin recipe has quickly become one of our go-to meals this winter! It’s flavorful, savory and oh so tender.

In this post we’ll talk all through the difference between pork loin and tenderloin, how to season a loin to absolute perfection as well as how to make this slow cooker pork loin (of course!). Let’s get into it:

What is the difference between pork tenderloin and a pork loin roast? What about a pork shoulder roast?

Pork Tenderloin is usually about 2-3 inches in diameter and is longer and more slender than a loin roast.

Pork Loin Roast is a larger cut of meat that runs along the spine of a pig and continues down the pig’s leg. Like a tenderloin, it is also quite lean. Pork loin roast is typically about 5-6 inches in diameter and looks more like a roast. In the grocery store, a pork loin roast is often referred to as top loin roast.

Pork Shoulder Roast comes from the shoulder of a pig. It generally has more fat and is great for slow roasting. We use this cut of meat when we want to make carnitas (like our Instant Pot Carnitas) or if we want a juicy piece of meat that is fall apart once cooked.

Both pork tenderloin AND pork loin roast are both extremely leans cut of pork and taste very similar. A pork shoulder is a fattier cut of meat and will break down when slow roasted.

How to Flavor Slow Cooker Pork Loin

Like other cuts of pork, pork loin does a really great job taking on the flavor of whatever you season or marinate it with.

For this pork loin recipe, we used our simple pork dry rub that infuses your pork with so much flavor and also helps flavor the gravy and potatoes, which cook at the same time.

Yay for pork dry rub ingredients you can pronounce! And yay for ingredients you likely have on hand already!

Nobody likes having to spend $30+ on spices that you’ll use infrequently to create a dry rub recipe at home, especially if it doesn’t end up tasting as flavorful as you’d like.

That’s why we’re using our go-to pork dry rub for this slow cooker pork loin — it’s both flavor-packed and includes SEVEN simple, easy to find ingredients, including:

1. Brown sugar
2. Garlic powder
3. Onion powder
4. Coarse salt
5. Cinnamon
6. Dried thyme
7. Ground Pepper

How to Cook Pork Loin in the Slow Cooker

Here are in-depth, step-by-step directions for how to cook pork loin in the slow cooker. For the full, written recipe and ingredients, scroll down to the recipe card 😀

Step 1: Season Pork Loin

First, prepare pork loin roast. Pat it dry with a paper towel and then season all sides of the pork loin roast with the pork dry rub.

Step 2: Sear Pork Loin

Heat 3 tablespoons of butter in a cast-iron skillet over medium/high heat. Then, sear all 4 sides for around 1-2 minutes each to brown it. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Garlic & Onion

Deglaze the cast iron skillet with 1/4 cup of beef broth. And then in the same pan, over medium/high heat, sauté garlic and onion for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Set aside.

Step 4: Prep Potatoes

Dice potatoes into large, 2-inch chunks and place them on the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the garlic, onion, and broth on top of the potatoes. 

Step 5: All Together Now in the Slow Cooker

Then, place the pork loin on top of the potatoes and pour the remaining broth and Worcestershire sauce on top of the pork in the slow cooker.

Step 6: Cook on Low in Slow Cooker

Cover slow cooker and then turn heat to low, and set a timer for 4 hours.

Check the temperature of the pork at 4 hours and if the internal temperature at the thickest part has reached 145ºF, then you know it’s done. If it’s not quite there, continue cooking for up to 1 more hour. The potatoes should also be tender to the touch.

Step 7: Prep Potatoes & Gravy

Remove the pork loin from slow cooker and set aside. Then, transfer potatoes into a large bowl, and transfer the leftover broth/liquid into a small saucepan.

Make mashed potatoes by adding butter, Greek yogurt, milk, salt, and pepper to the bowl with the hot potatoes. Either use a handheld masher or a hand mixer to mash your taters.

Want to skip the mash? These potatoes will be tender and delicious as is, too!

Make the gravy by turning the heat to medium/high on your stovetop. Bring the gravy to a simmer and then remove about 1/3 cup of liquid and create a cornstarch slurry by whisking it with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Pour the cornstarch slurry back into the saucepan, and continue to simmer for a few more minutes until thickened. Once thickened, remove from heat.

Step 8: Slice & Serve

Slice pork loin roast and serve on top of mashed potatoes with gravy. Enjoy!!

Pork Loin Quick Tips

DOES PORK Loin GET MORE TENDER THE LONGER YOU COOK IT?

Pork loin is a very lean cut of pork, meaning that it can dry out quickly. So, if you cook it too long, you risk overcooking your meat leaving it with a dry, stringy texture. Because pork loin is a lean cut of meat, the finished meat will cut easily with a knife, but will not shred easily like a fattier cut of pork will.

Note: pork loin differs from a pork butt or shoulder, which are extremely fatty and get more tender the longer you cook it.

Can I cook this recipe on high?

Unfortunately, no! We tested this slow cooker pork loin on high, and the pork came out too tough. Because of this, we ONLY recommend cooking this recipe on your slow cooker’s low setting. Low and slow is the way to go!

Can I make this recipe with a pork tenderloin?

Because a pork tenderloin is much less thick than a loin roast, the cook time will be significantly less and these instructions will not work! We recommend making any of our pork tenderloin recipes if you have a tenderloin instead of a loin:

What temperature should I cook pork loin to?

The internal temperature of your pork loin needs to reach at least 145ºF (re: Food Safety) to be safe to eat.

What pairs well with slow cooker pork loin?

Lucky for you, this slow cooker pork loin is made at the same time as the savory mashed potatoes. But if you’re looking for other sides to round out a healthy meal, we’d recommend:

Storage

Let your pork loin cool completely. Then, transfer it into a large, glass container. Top the pork loin with the leftover gravy and seal the container.

Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.

Reheating Instructions

Microwave: Place a serving of pork loin and mashed potatoes on a microwave-safe plate. Then, top it with leftover gravy. Microwave on high for 60-90 seconds.

Oven: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Then, spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Add cooked pork loin and mashed potatoes and then top with the gravy. Bake, uncovered, for around 20 minutes or until the center is warm.

Can you freeze leftover pork loin?

To freeze leftover pork loin, let it cool completely. Then, transfer it into a gallon-size freezer-safe plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible and freeze for up to 3 months.