Smithfield Pork Tenderloin Slow Cooker Recipe

This amazing Smithfield pork tenderloin slow cooker recipe is so easy to throw together! We showed you How to Cook Smithfield Pork Tenderloin in the oven before, now it is time for a balsamic glaze cooked to tender bites of goodness for dinner packed with protein.

How to Cook Pork Tenderloin in Crockpot

Crock potting might be one of my favorite ways to cook various cuts of meat. (don’t worry, I still love all my Instant Pot, too!)  This slow cooker pork tenderloin is a great way to perfectly this because it heats it up to the correct temp with use.

I like to use my meat thermometer to be certain that the pork is done cooking all the way before allowing it to rest because it’s better to be safe than sorry when you’re eating various meats. 

Let’s talk a little bit about slow cooking shall we?? First off I have a few different varieties and I love them all. Each one has an occasion to be used like….

1. This is my favorite 6 quart programmable one with a locking lid so it’s great for bringing to a potluck too.
2. I prefer not to use liners, but rather just spray olive oil inside before adding my food for easier cleanups.

Let me give you a peek of my pretty thang I bought recently. It goes with my kitchen so I can just leave it out on the countertop all the time. 😉

Since there are so many ways to eat this, it’s hard for me to narrow it down to my favorite. Although, I will say that a small bowl full of mashed potatoes topped with this crockpot pork tenderloin probably ranks pretty high up there on the list. 

Amazing Pork Tenderloin Slow Cooker Recipe

We began this whole journey by creating Instant Pot pork tenderloin, then a crispy air fryer pork loin with a dry rub on the outside, and then moved on to this one. You should try them all as they all taste a bit different, but all good.

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy slow cooker pork tenderloin recipe, this is the one for you. You just need to set your cooking time and let the slow cooker do all the work. Does dinnertime get any better than that? 

Pork Tenderloin Slow Cooker Recipe with Balsamic

I have added fruit in our Crockpot pork chops, and sometimes in this as well. Onions are a must, an apple sliced if I have it BUT balsamic vinegar is a must either way. I’m about to throw a huge wrench into your meal planning. I love this recipe so much because there are so many ways that you can easily make it.

I like to pay attention to the nutritional information or recipes because I’m always looking for ways that I can improve the health and taste. Adding apples to this recipe is one simple way to do just that. 

I also like to add broth as the liquid because it gives it a lot more flavor and taste. These are just a few of my tips on simple ways that can really enhance the flavor of this simple pork tenderloin recipe.

The first time I decided that cooking pork tenderloin in the slow cooker was a good idea, I was hooked on how simple and easy it was. It literally was minimal prep work but tasted as though I’d been the one who cooked it for hours instead of the crockpot. 

How Long to Cook Pork Tenderloin in Slow Cooker

6-8 hours is what you will need depending on how large and/or thick yours is. There are a variety of weights but 3 pounds is average. If you want to crisp up the tenderloin a bit and cook it for a short time, you can put olive oil in a large skillet and saute it before then putting it into the crockpot for later. It’s an easy way to get your meat more tender too.

One thing to keep in mind when making this slow cooker tenderloin recipe is that there isn’t just one way to cook up this dish.

Is there a simple way to do a brown sugar & balsamic sauce for pork?

Yes, just whisk together with garlic, balsamic, sugar, broth and soy sauce to make a sort of marinade to pour over the top. There will be a bit of liquid that is in the slow cooker once it starts to cook and that liquid is tasty to eat!

You can easily thicken it up at the end by adding in a bit of corn starch and flour plus some seasonings and have a nice drizzle of liquid to enjoy with your cooked tenderloin, too. 

That pretty much says it all. This is one of the best slow cooker recipes using pork tenderloin that you’ll find. The meat is tender and there are so many great flavors that you’ll get in every single bite.  When it comes to garnishes and toppings, there are a few choices to consider.

You can garnish with fresh cilantro and chives to give it a light and delicious flavor or you can drizzle a bit of balsamic vinegar or soy sauce on top as well. 

I’ve even taken it to a whole other level and added a bit of heat to my tenderloin recipe before. A little sprinkle of cayenne pepper never hurt anyone, right?

Slow Cooker Tenderloin Recipe

While this slow cooker dish isn’t hard to make, there are a few tips that you need to remember. It is possible to overcook the meat so in this case, longer doesn’t always mean better. Pay attention to the cook time in the printable recipe below and do your best to adhere. 

Understand that different cuts of meat will also work for this recipe. This will also mean that they’re going to have different textures, too. If you’re fine with that, great but don’t be surprised if this recipe turns out chewier than you thought it was going to be. 

What should you serve with shredded pork?

Last but not least, let’s talk about the other food recipes that would pair up perfectly with this crockpot tenderloin recipe. As I mentioned earlier, anything potatoes is always a win in my book. I love mashed potatoes, garlic potatoes, baked potatoes, cheesy potatoes…the list could go on and on.

But if you’re wanting to stay on the healthier side for side dishes options, green beans and corn are an awesome idea, too. You can even whip up a nice side salad to go along with this!

If you’re craving a hearty meal that is easy and will have everyone coming to the table, check out this Crock pot Pork Tenderloin recipe. It’s one easy meal that makes an amazing dinner with loads of flavor. 

Just be ready as this will serve quite the crowd. If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, just put them in the fridge to enjoy later! This will taste just as amazing the very next day! Try our other methods of cooking pulled pork this month too.

Glazed Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin

Here are quick instructions. There is a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post as well for you. Put olive oil in a skillet on the stovetop. Season all sides of meat with salt and pepper and any other desired seasonings. Put into skillet and sear all sides.

1. Put sliced onions on bottom of Crock pot with seared tenderloin on top. Sprinkle minced garlic and brown sugar on top of meat.
2. Whisk together in a bowl your vegetable or chicken broth, balsamic vinegar and soy sauce. Now pour this on top of your meat.
3. Cook on low for 6 hours or until the center at the thickest part reaches 145 degrees F.
4. Timing will depend on how thick the middle is. If you want it to fall apart for shredded pork I’d cut it in half at the very beginning so it breaks down easier/faster.
5. If you want to make gravy remove meat, allow to rest before slicing, and pour liquids into a saucepan.
6. Allow to bubble. Take some liquid out into a cup and whisk in 2 tbsp of cornstarch. Add this back in and stir. Allow to thicken and serve together.

Use more of your balsamic to make this beef arm roast recipe next!

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