Sweet, savory, garlicky, and wonderfully tender, this Crockpot Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin is the kind of easy dinner that tastes like you spent much more time in the kitchen than you actually did. The pork slowly cooks in a flavorful honey-garlic sauce made with soy sauce, ketchup, and fresh garlic, creating a delicious glaze that can be thickened at the end and spooned generously over every slice.
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights because the preparation is simple. Just place the pork in the slow cooker, whisk together the sauce, pour it over the meat, and let the crockpot do the work. Serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, or a crisp salad for a satisfying family meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy preparation: Only a few minutes of hands-on prep.
- Sweet and savory flavor: Honey balances the salty soy sauce beautifully.
- Garlic-packed: Fresh minced garlic gives the sauce wonderful depth.
- Tender pork: Slow cooking helps create juicy, flavorful pork.
- Versatile: Serve it with rice, potatoes, noodles, or vegetables.
- Great for leftovers: The sliced pork reheats well with extra sauce.
Ingredients
For the Pork
- 2 pounds pork tenderloin
- Black pepper, to taste
- Salt, only if needed
For the Honey Garlic Sauce
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- Black pepper, to taste
For Thickening the Sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
How to Make Crockpot Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin
1. Prepare the Pork
Pat the pork tenderloin dry with paper towels. Trim away any excess silver skin if necessary.
Season lightly with black pepper. Be careful with additional salt because soy sauce already provides plenty of saltiness.
Place the pork tenderloin in the slow cooker.
2. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, ketchup, and black pepper.
Continue whisking until the honey is well incorporated into the soy sauce and the mixture looks smooth.
3. Add the Sauce
Pour the honey garlic mixture evenly over the pork tenderloin.
Turn the pork once or twice if necessary so the sauce coats as much of the surface as possible.
4. Slow Cook
Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for approximately 4–5 hours, or until the pork is tender and reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C).
Cooking time can vary depending on the size and thickness of the tenderloin and the slow cooker being used, so an instant-read thermometer is the best way to check doneness.
Avoid cooking the tenderloin much longer than necessary because pork tenderloin is a relatively lean cut and can become dry if overcooked.
5. Rest the Pork
Carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board.
Allow it to rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. Resting allows the juices to redistribute and helps keep the meat moist.
6. Thicken the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until completely smooth.
Stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce remaining in the slow cooker.
Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and cook for about 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
If the sauce becomes thicker than you prefer, stir in a small splash of water or broth.
7. Slice and Serve
Slice the rested pork tenderloin into even pieces.
Arrange the slices on a serving platter and spoon the thickened honey garlic sauce generously over the top.
Serve immediately with your favorite sides.
What to Serve with Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin
This pork pairs beautifully with simple sides that can soak up the flavorful sauce.
Try serving it with:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Steamed white or brown rice
- Garlic butter noodles
- Roasted baby potatoes
- Steamed broccoli
- Green beans
- Roasted carrots
- Corn on the cob
- A simple green salad
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
For a complete weeknight dinner, serve the pork over rice with steamed broccoli and drizzle the extra honey garlic sauce over everything.
Helpful Tips for the Best Pork Tenderloin
Don’t Add Too Much Salt
Soy sauce is naturally salty, so taste the finished sauce before adding any extra salt. You may find that no additional salt is necessary.
Use Fresh Garlic
Freshly minced garlic gives the sauce a much stronger and more aromatic flavor than dried garlic powder.
Don’t Skip the Resting Time
Allowing the pork to rest for a few minutes before slicing helps retain its juices.
Check the Temperature
Rather than relying only on cooking time, check the thickest part of the pork with a meat thermometer. Pork tenderloin should reach 145°F (63°C).
Make a Smooth Cornstarch Slurry
Always mix cornstarch with cold water before adding it to the hot sauce. Adding dry cornstarch directly can result in lumps.
Want More Sauce?
If your family loves extra sauce, you can increase the sauce ingredients slightly. Keep the proportions reasonably balanced so the finished sauce doesn’t become excessively salty or sweet.
Optional Browning Step
For an extra layer of flavor, you can quickly sear the pork tenderloin in a hot skillet with a little oil before placing it in the slow cooker.
Brown the pork on several sides for about 1–2 minutes per side.
This step isn’t necessary for the recipe to work, but browning can add a deeper roasted flavor and more color to the finished pork.
Recipe Variations
Spicy Honey Garlic Pork
Add ¼–½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a small amount of your favorite chili sauce to the honey garlic mixture.
Ginger Honey Garlic Pork
Add 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger to the sauce for a warm, slightly spicy flavor.
Sesame Honey Pork
Add 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil to the sauce and garnish the finished pork with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Extra Garlicky Pork
If you love garlic, increase the fresh garlic from 4 cloves to 6 cloves.
Honey Mustard Pork
Add 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the sauce for a sweet, tangy variation.
Can I Use Pork Loin Instead?
Yes, but pork loin and pork tenderloin are different cuts and don’t always require the same cooking time.
Pork tenderloin is smaller and leaner, while pork loin is larger and thicker. If using pork loin, rely on its internal temperature and adjust the cooking time according to the size of the roast.
Can I Make This Without a Slow Cooker?
Yes. You can prepare the pork in a covered oven-safe dish and cook it in a moderate oven until it reaches the recommended internal temperature. However, the slow cooker method is particularly convenient because it requires very little hands-on cooking.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow leftover pork to cool and place it in an airtight container with some of the honey garlic sauce.
Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
For best results when reheating, warm the pork gently rather than using very high heat. Adding a spoonful of sauce or a splash of water can help prevent the meat from drying out.
Can You Freeze Honey Garlic Pork?
Yes. Allow the cooked pork to cool completely, then place sliced portions in freezer-safe containers or bags with some sauce.
Freeze for up to about 2–3 months for best quality.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently until hot throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare the ingredients the night before?
Yes. You can prepare the sauce and refrigerate it separately, then place everything in the slow cooker when you’re ready to cook.
Why is my pork dry?
Pork tenderloin is lean, so overcooking is one of the most common reasons it becomes dry. Use an instant-read thermometer and remove it when it reaches the recommended temperature.
Can I use low-sodium soy sauce?
Absolutely. Low-sodium soy sauce is a good option if you prefer a less salty finished dish.
Can I make the sauce thicker?
Yes. Prepare another small cornstarch slurry using cornstarch and cold water, then add it gradually while the sauce is hot. Allow a few minutes for it to thicken before deciding whether more is needed.
Is this recipe very sweet?
The honey provides noticeable sweetness, but the soy sauce, garlic, and ketchup balance it with salty and savory flavors. If you prefer a less-sweet sauce, slightly reduce the honey.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4–5 hours on LOW
Resting Time: 5 minutes
Sauce Thickening: 10–15 minutes
Servings: 6
Cuisine: American-inspired
Method: Slow Cooker
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin is a simple example of how a handful of everyday ingredients can create a flavorful family dinner. The combination of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ketchup creates a glossy sweet-and-savory sauce that works especially well with tender slices of pork.
Pair it with mashed potatoes or rice to make the most of the extra sauce, add a green vegetable for balance, and you have an easy meal that’s perfect for a busy weeknight or relaxed weekend dinner.
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Crockpot Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin – Easy Slow Cooker Dinner
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Make tender Crockpot Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin with honey, garlic, soy sauce, and ketchup. An easy slow-cooker dinner with a delicious sweet and savory sauce.