How to Make Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker

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. 

HOW TO MAKE A PORK TENDERLOIN IN THE SLOW COOKER

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. 

Ohio Pork and I are teaming up to teach you How to Cook Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker

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.

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED FOR THIS SLOW COOKER PORK TENDERLOIN RECIPE?

SPICES: PAPRIKA, CUMIN, CHILI POWDER, GARLIC POWDER, OREGANO

PORK TENDERLOIN

SWEET ONION

BBQ SAUCE

I also love using the leftover pulled pork for other meals throughout the week, including nachos, quesadillas, tacos or rice bowls.

Freezing your pulled pork tenderloin is a great option for those extra busy nights when you forgot to plan dinner ahead of time.

HOW DO YOU MAKE CROCK POT PORK TENDERLOIN

• TRIM THE SILVER SKIN: When you are ready to make your pork tenderloin trim the silver skin off of the loin.
• CREATE THE 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. 
• 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}.
• SET AND LET IT SLOWLY 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.
• STORING: If you have leftovers store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 

WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD PORK TENDERLOIN COOK TO?

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.

HOW CAN I USE PULLED 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. 

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR PORK TENDERLOIN

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.

WHY SHOULD I SEAR THE PORK TENDERLOIN?

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. 

MORE PORK RECIPES YOU WILL LIKE:

How to Make Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker

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. 

4.50 from 6 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner

Keyword: bbq, crockpot, dinner, easy, food, pork, pork tenderloin, pulled pork, recipe, slow cooker

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours hours

Total Time: 6 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 -8

6

Author: Julia

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

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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: Heat a large skillet over meidum-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 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.

Video

Notes

Another option with this tenderloin is to slice it and serve it with your favorite side dishes like mashed potatoes and green beans.

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Thanks to Ohio Pork for sponsoring today’s post. As always, opinions are 100% my own. I am excited to be partnering with them this year to share more about pork and provide delicious, easy recipes for you to try!