Have you ever wondered how to make a pork tenderloin in the slow cooker? It is easier than you think and can be used in a variety of ways from traditional sliced tenderloin to rice bowls to making pulled pork for sandwiches. The pulled pork works perfectly on game day or a tailgate this football season.
Pork tenderloin is an easy recipe if you are feeding your family on busy nights.
You can use the pork tenderloin in a variety of ways, from slicing the pork tenderloin and serving it with veggies or with potatoes, like these Simple Garlic Parmesan Green Beans and Gouda Mashed Potatoes, to serving pulled bbq pork on sandwiches for game day with a side of roasted buffalo cauliflower.
As you probably know, the crockpot can make your life so much easier when it comes to making easy dinners and meal prep. Slow cooking the pork also creates a tender pork when made on a low heat.
If you like pork you should also check out this post on How to Bake Pork Chops in the Oven and Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder Roast Recipe if my family is craving pork. You can put your meal in the slow cooker and go about your day which is why I love crock pot recipes. When you return from work or running errands you have a warm, delicious meal waiting for you. My family loves pulled pork, so pork tenderloin is my go-to cut of pork that I buy to make these pulled pork bbq sandwiches during the week.
Recipe Ingredients
You will love this easy recipe and the simple ingredients it uses for the marinade ingredients. It is one of my favorite recipes!
- Pork: This recipe uses a pork tenderloin. Make sure to trim the silver skin from the pork before cooking it. When I buy the pork tenderloin it often comes in two smaller tenderloins in one package.
- Spices: The spice mixture that creates the rub has so much flavor. It mixes paprika, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder and oregano. It adds so much flavor to the pork!
- Onions: The sweet onion is added to the crockpot with the pork and adds flavor. It isn’t necessary but is a great addition to the pork.
- BBQ Sauce: Add the savory bbq sauce to the crockpot with the pork to help create a flavorful pulled pork. You also can add more bbq sauce once the pork is done cooking.
How do you Make Pork Tenderloin
Step 1: Trim Silver Skin: When you are ready to make your pork tenderloin trim the silver skin off of the loin.
Step 2: Create Rub: Next you will want to mix together your rub in a small mixing bowl and then use your hands to rub it on both sides of the pork tenderloin. I gave you a recipe for my favorite spice rub but feel free to make your own based on what spices you have.
Step 3: Add Ingredients to Crockpot: Place the tenderloin in the bottom of the slow cooker and add the sweet onion and 1 1/2 cups of your favorite bbq sauce {save the rest to add to the slow cooker at the end}.
Step 4: Slow Cook: Set your slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours hours, or until the thermometer reads an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Once it is done cooking use two forks to shred the pork and return it to the crockpot. Add the remaining barbecue sauce and give it a good stir. If you have leftovers store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Ways to Use Pork Tenderloin
- Rice Bowls: Add it to rice bowls with your favorite toppings. One of my favorite combinations is black beans, pico de gallo, shredded cheese and avocado along with the pulled pork. You can see an example of a pork rice bowl in this Slow Cooker Cuban Rice Bowl post.
- Mexican Food: Use it as a filling to your favorite taco, quesadillas or in place of chicken in these cheesy chicken enchiladas.
- Game Day: When game day comes around set out a slow cooker filled with the pulled pork and keep it set to warm. Your guests can use slider or regular buns to create a tasty sandwich with BBQ sauce. You can easily sub this pulled pork into these Beef Nachos.
- Sliders: Sub the chicken in these Easy Chicken Sliders or in these Chicken Enchilada Sliders for the pulled pork. These would be great for a crowd!
What is the difference between a pork loin and a pork tenderloin?
Pork loin and pork tenderloin are two different cuts of pork and come from different parts of the animal. I talk about How to Cook Pork Loin in the Slow Cooker in this post. They also look different- pork tenderloin is thinner and smaller than pork loin. Pork loin is wider and much bigger.
A pork loin can weigh up to 5 pounds while tenderloins are usually around 1 to 2 pounds. Cooking a pork tenderloin in the crockpot will require less cook time than pork loin. You might be wondering how long to cook pork loin in the crockpot or how long to cook pork tenderloin in the slow cooker? When I make pork tenderloin in the slow cooker it usually is done cooking at about the 6 hour mark on low. For pork loin it can take 8 to 10 hours on low depending on the size of the cut or pork.
Storage Tips
Store the leftover pork in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When you want to reheat you can heat in a skillet or the microwave. You might want to add in more BBQ sauce when you are ready to eat.
Recipe FAQ
When it comes to pork or beef it helps develop the flavor of the meat when you sear it first in a large skillet until all sides are browned before putting it in the crockpot. It is not something you have to do but I do think it really helps bring out the spices and flavor in the meat.
When you are at the store you will want to find about 2-3 pounds of pork tenderloin. Sometimes that means you have to buy two pork tenderloins that equals 2 to 3 pounds and sometimes you can find a two pack of tenderloins.
Either way I think 2 to 3 ponds gives you a good amount of pork to feed your family and have some leftovers to freeze.
When cooking pork tenderloin you want to see that blush of pink inside the pork or reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. I know a lot of people still think that pork should be cooked until all of the pink is gone, but the FDA recommends a blush of pink as safe.
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How to Make Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker
Video
Ingredients
For the rub:
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
For the pork:
- 2 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin
- 1/4 of a sweet onion,, diced
- 1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl combine the paprika, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper and mix well.
- Remove the silver skin from the pork tenderloin and place the pork tenderloin on a large cutting board. Using your hands rub the spice mixture on both sides of the pork and place the pork in the slow cooker.
- Optional After Adding the Rub: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 Tablepspoon olive oil. Sear all sides of the pork tenderloin until browned. This helps develop the flavor.
- Add the onion to the crockpot, then the pork and then and 1 1/2 cups of BBQ sauce to the slow cooker, covering the pork.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the thermometer reads an internal temperature of 145 degrees F or on high for 2-3 hours.
- You can slice the tenderloin and serve with your favorite side dish or use two forks shred the pork and mix with the juices in the slow cooker. Add the remaining BBQ sauce and mix well.
- Serve the pulled pork on buns or in rice bowls.
Notes
- Another option with this tenderloin is to slice it and serve it with your favorite side dishes like mashed potatoes and green beans.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
First time making this… In your picture, the onions are under the meat, but the description says to put the meat in first and then add the onion and sauce to cover the meat. Under makes sense to me..?
Also, it’s not clear if I’m supposed to put the rub on the meat before searing it in the pan or not. I’m going with yes. Wish me luck!
Sorry that is confusing-I updated it. First you want to put the rub on the pork then sear it (searing is optional). You can put the onions on the bottom of the crockpot then the pork and then the BBQ sauce. I hope it works well for you! You also can shred the pork and then add more BBQ sauce if you want once it is done cooking.
What a wonderful easy way to cook pork tenderloin! I love all the suggestions you give for using it!
Love cooking with the slow cooker, and can’t wait to try this recipe! So easy and delicious!
You had me at slow cooker! Slow cooker meals are THE best!
This pork looks absolutely divine!! Definitely something up my alley!!!
Thanks! I bet you guys would love it.
We really like using pork tenderloin in recipes. Not only is it an economical meat it is also low in fat. It lends itself to slow cooking just like your slow cooker. It certainly looks and sounds like it’s full of flavor. Those sandwiches look terrific.
It really does! I love how economical it is and when I make this recipes I get at least two meals which is great.
This is the kind of pork I love, tender and saucy!!
Me too! It’s my favorite way to eat it.