This slow cooker pork tenderloin is tender, juicy, and wonderfully flavorful thanks to fresh apple wedges tucked right into the meat as it cooks. Potatoes, carrots, and onions simmer around it for a true one-pot dinner that requires almost no prep and always turns out perfectly. It’s the kind of cozy, dependable meal your family will ask for again and again.
I got this amazing slow cooker pork tenderloin recipe from my sister-in-law, Carol. I can always count on her to have great recipes with perfect instructions at her fingertips. She is the most organized person I know and is always willing to lend a hand. (love her!)
I made two promises to myself recently. I want to try new foods, especially meats other than beef, and make better use of my slow cooker. This recipe was a great start because it turned out fantastic. It's easy to do, the unique flavors are incredible, it's a complete meal, and it's an attractive presentation!
The sauce keeps the pork tender and flavorful as it cooks, and the slow cooker does all the work. The result is a cozy, dependable dinner that tastes like you put in far more effort than you did.
We all get stuck in a rut when we shop for groceries. Those darn meal times come around so often, and we just robotically go to the same familiar items.
I had never bought a small packaged pork tenderloin like this one, and now I wonder, "Why the heck not?" Now I'm eager to buy one again and try more new recipes!
Pork tenderloin is a long, thin, and cylindrical cut of meat that's relatively small compared to other cuts, usually weighing around one to one and one-half pounds. It is very tender and lean, with minimal marbling. It's easy to overcook it, but not with this recipe!
The seasonings and ingredients in this slow cooker pork tenderloin recipe create a sauce that keeps the pork moist and tender, ensuring it stays tender and succulent without drying out or becoming tough.
Cut several slits across the tenderloin, but don't cut all the way through. Place apple slices in the cuts, then whip up the sauce in a small bowl. (They are the secret to keeping everything moist and juicy!)
Put potatoes and carrots around the tenderloin. I used carrots cut into pieces about three inches long and small "B" size red potatoes. I cut some of the larger potatoes in half and nestled the vegetables along the sides of the slow cooker to get them to brown. Yum!
Pour the sauce over the meat and vegetables, cover, and cook on high for about 4 hours. That is it! I'm a garnish lover, so I put everything into an oval serving dish and garnished it with thin orange slices.
I did that for you so you can see what a pretty dish it is, but it would be 100% as delicious served right out of the slow cooker! I am so happy with the recipe, and my husband, who doesn't love pork as much as I do, said it was delicious! He certainly cleaned his plate, and we saved the "plan-overs" for dinner the next evening!
When the weather is unpredictable and our days get busy, it's so nice to have such a wonderful meal to come home to! I will make this one again and again! Here are some of our other favorite cozy dinner recipes:
🥘 Oven-Baked Hamburger Steak: This cozy oven-baked dish is sometimes called "Poor Man's Steak," but we don't think that name fits. Serve it with noodles, rice, or potatoes, so you don't miss a drop of the wonderful gravy.
🍲 Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs: A quick, easy slow-cooker recipe for tangy meatballs. You can serve them over rice or noodles, in a sandwich, or as an appetizer.
🍽️Apricot Chicken: Easy apricot chicken is a dish that's ridiculously simple to make, kid-friendly, and tastes fabulous. It helps you escape the kitchen fast!
Oh, and why not whip up a super-easy dessert while that cooks? How about
🎃 Pumpkin Dump Cake: This recipe yields an easy, delicious, and no-fuss dessert that is creamy, buttery, crunchy, and streusel-topped, perfect for fall or any time.
🍎 2-Ingredient Mini Apple Pies: Here's a fast and easy 2-ingredient dessert! Tasty little mini apple pies!
A wonderful recipe for moist, tender pork tenderloin with potatoes and carrots made in a slow cooker. The sauce has intriguing flavors!
Can you put a raw pork tenderloin in the slow cooker?
Yes. Pork tenderloin goes into the slow cooker raw and cooks gently with the sauce and seasonings until tender.
What temperature should pork tenderloin be when it’s done?
Pork tenderloin is safe to eat at 145°F. Check it with a meat thermometer for the best results.
Does cooking pork tenderloin longer make it more tender?
No. Pork tenderloin is very lean, so prolonged cooking can dry it out rather than improve its texture.
What is the difference between pork tenderloin and pork loin?
Pork tenderloin is smaller, leaner, and more delicate than pork loin. The two cuts are not interchangeable without adjusting the cooking time.
Can pork tenderloin be made ahead of time?
Yes. Cook the tenderloin, slice it, and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a little broth or sauce to keep it moist.
What goes well with pork tenderloin?
Pork tenderloin pairs well with simple sides like roasted potatoes, buttered noodles, green beans, glazed carrots, or a crisp garden salad. It also works beautifully with fruit flavors such as apple, cranberry, or apricot.
Do you have slow cooker recipes you'd like to share? I would be thrilled - please drop them in the comments and make me a happy girl!
If you make this Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin, I’d love it if you’d leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and a quick comment. It helps my little business more than you know.
Love, GB (Betty Streff)
Real food. Real kitchen. Real easy.
Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free gift! A printable sign that would look great in your kitchen, framed above your sink, or just placed anywhere to remind us how lucky we are to have dirty dishes!
Sign up now!
Looks really good.i wonder how it would be if kraut was added.
Wow! John, that is an amazing idea and I bet it tastes incredible! Do let me know! Thanks for sharing!
That’s a good question. That would probably be good too! I’m out of apples, I wonder if I could use unsweetened apple sauce in the slits instead. Looks great either way!
I think that should work but you will end up with more liquid. Why not thicken the sauce with some cornstarch and make gravy? Sounds good to me!
I am tripling this recipe and want to cook it a little slower....just for timing sake. I am going to start it on high...and then switch to low the last 3 or 4 hours...I willet you know how it turns out!
Oh please, I hope you do! I am anxious to hear how it worked for you!
Was wondering how long you would cook it if you wanted to cook it on low while you were gone all day. Have you ever tried that?
Pork tenderloin is such a "skinny" and lean cut of meat I would question cooking it on low for eight hours. I'm not sure if it would dry out too much. I used to commute 60 miles to work so I hear you! Maybe this could be something you cook in the evening after work and reheat the next day, or make it on the weekend or other day off? Does anyone in the family come home earlier and could turn it down to a keep warm setting? I have a friends who raise and promotes pork- I will ask their expert advice and get back to you!
Is it moist w no liquid added? I
Ike ,ine fork tender.
Absolutely fork tender like in the picture! The apples, soy sauce, and honey give it plenty of moisture! It's been very popular!
Have you ever added onion and portabella mushrooms ? Thinking about it 🤔
OOOOh, no, but what a great idea! LMK how it turns out! 😋 Happy New Year!
If I have more meat (about 2.5 lbs), how will that change my cooking time? Thanks!
It would be unusual to have a pork tenderloin weighing that much- are you sure you have tenderloin? If so, it's likely to be two pieces. If it's pork LOIN with a pretty good fat cap - tenderloin has vritually no fat- pork LOIN will love this method in the slow cooker because this recipe is designed to add moistness- which pork needs to be tender when cooked this way. If you're using pork loin instead of pork tenderloin, the cooking time will be longer—plan for 6–7 hours on low or 3.5–5 on high. Be sure to use a meat thermometer and aim for 145°F. Pork Tenderloin is long, thin, very lean, very tender and has very little fat. It works well in a slow cooker but be careful not to overcook.
Pork Loin is thicker, more roast-like, firmer, and has a fat cap. It is fairly tender and loves a slow cook. A meat thermometer is your best friend. Pork is cooked at 145 degrees and pork tenderloin and pork loin do not benefit from longer cook times. I hope that all makes sense!
ow cook
Oh no out of soy sauce used teriyaki instead we will see lol
I think you'll be fine and may have created a new version- 😉 Soy sauce is a simple, fermented condiment made from soybeans, salt, and sometimes wheat. Teriyaki sauce, on the other hand, starts with soy sauce and adds other stuff like sugar, salt, and garlic and it's a little thicker. I would love the hear how you like it!
This recipe looks delicious! I added a few of my own seasonings I like to do like adobo on the pork, added a little red wine to the sauce, and had no ground mustard so substituted Guldens spicy Brown. I put a cup of beef stock because I like to put a ton of potatoes and carrots in with meal and plenty of gravy. Then I topped it off with some fresh Rosemary and Thyme sprigs. Let you know how it came out!
Brian- i can't wait to hear how you liked it! please do let me know!
Trying this tomorrow!! 💚
That
That tickles me so! Please let me know how it turns out for you!!
This sounds delicious. I have everything but the spoke and I just looked no apple sauce. Think I may add 1/3 cup of apple cider to get the moisture I need for the veggies. Also going to add some Unami seasoning. I just love that flavor. Will try to remember to take a pic.
AWESOME! Can't wait to see it!
The flavor was good, but it was way too dry. Four hours on high was way too much and this was 4 pounds.
So disappointed ☹️
Any time this happens, i am so sad and disappointed to hear, so very sorry. Were you away while it was cooking? I looked back on the recipe and see I said 3-4 hours in the recipe card instructions. This recipe has been very popular- so I am going to go back to work on the post and see what I can do to improve my instructions to avoid anyone else having a negative experience. Pork is a meat that does not benefit from long cooking and I will mention that pork only needs to be cooked to 145 degrees. 😥