If you want an easy dinner you can make again and again, this slow cooker pork loin is a perfect choice. Just season the pork, add a few simple ingredients to the crock pot, and let it cook low and slow until tender and juicy. It is comforting, flavorful, and requires very little hands-on work.
Ingredients
- 2–2½ pounds pork loin
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, optional
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water, optional for thickening the sauce
Instructions
1. Prepare the pork
Pat the pork loin dry with paper towels. Rub it all over with olive oil, then season with paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
2. Add everything to the crock pot
Place the sliced onion and minced garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker. Put the seasoned pork loin on top.
Pour in the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the pork if you want a slightly sweet, savory glaze.
3. Slow cook
Cover and cook on:
- LOW: 4–6 hours
- HIGH: 2½–3½ hours
Cook until the center of the pork reaches 145°F (63°C), then let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.
4. Make the sauce
For a thicker gravy, carefully pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan. Mix the cornstarch with cold water, whisk it into the liquid, and simmer for a few minutes until thickened.
Spoon the warm sauce over the sliced pork before serving.
What to Serve With It
This pork loin is delicious with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted potatoes
- Green beans
- Steamed broccoli
- Carrots
- Buttered noodles
- Rice
- Corn
- Dinner rolls
Tips for Tender Pork
- Don’t overcook it. Pork loin is lean and can become dry if left in the slow cooker much longer than necessary.
- For extra flavor, quickly sear the pork in a hot skillet before putting it in the crock pot.
- Let the pork rest before slicing so the juices can redistribute.
- Save the cooking liquid—it makes an excellent quick gravy.
Easy Variation
For a creamy version, stir ½ cup cream of mushroom soup into the chicken broth before pouring it over the pork. The result is a rich, comforting pork-and-gravy dinner that pairs especially well with mashed potatoes.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 4–6 hours on LOW
Servings: 6–8