Cooking half a pork loin in the crock pot is a great hands-off way to prepare a delicious and inexpensive cut of meat. Pork loin is very lean yet flavorful and turns out moist and tender when cooked properly in a slow cooker.
In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook half a pork loin roast in the crock pot, from start to finish. We’ll cover:
- Benefits of cooking pork loin in the crockpot
- Choosing the right size crockpot
- Preparing the pork loin
- Seasonings and rubs
- Liquid amounts
- Cooking times
- Serving suggestions
- Making pulled pork from leftovers
Follow these tips and you’ll have juicy fork-tender pork loin ready and waiting for you at dinnertime. Let’s get started!
Benefits of Cooking Pork Loin in the Crockpot
There are several advantages to using a slow cooker for pork loin:
- Hands-off cooking. Just throw in the ingredients in the morning and dinner cooks itself. No need to monitor or tend to it.
- Even, consistent cooking. The enclosed environment and low heat allows the meat to cook gently and evenly throughout. No risk of drying out or overcooking.
- Infused flavor. The pork bathes for hours in its own juices and seasonings, intensifying the flavor.
- Fuss-free. No need to pre-brown the meat stovetop first. Crockpots require minimal prep work.
- Flexible timing. Cook for anywhere from 4-8 hours depending on your schedule. The crockpot does the work for you.
For busy families and cooks, cooking half a pork loin in the crockpot makes dinner easy. Now let’s look at how to do it right.
Choosing the Right Size Crockpot
A 2-3 pound half pork loin roast is a good fit for a 4-6 quart slow cooker. You want the cooker to be about 2/3 to 3/4 full for best results.
If cooking a very small or very large cut of meat relative to your crockpot size, you may need to adjust the liquid amount so there is adequate moisture. A too-crowded cooker can cause food to steam versus simmer.
Preparing the Pork Loin
Choose a boneless half pork loin roast (about 2-3 lbs). Rinse it and pat dry with paper towels. Trim off any excess fat.
Season it all over with a dry rub if desired. Good options are garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, oregano, chili powder, cumin, or rosemary.
You can also coat the pork with mustard or olive oil first to help the rub adhere. Apply your seasonings generously and rub them evenly into the meat.
Pour 1/2 cup liquid into the slow cooker crock. This provides moisture as the pork cooks. Chicken or vegetable broth works well.
Place the seasoned pork loin into the cooker and add additional liquid as needed to come about 1/3 to 1/2 way up the meat. Scatter cut-up onions, carrots, potatoes or other veggies around the pork if desired.
Cooking Times for Pork Loin
The cooking time will vary slightly based on the exact size, shape and temperature of your pork loin:
- 1.5 – 2 lbs: Low 6-7 hours, High 3-4 hours
- 2.5 – 3 lbs: Low 7-8 hours, High 4-5 hours
Check for doneness a bit early until you know how quickly your model cooks. The pork should shred easily and reach 145°F internally.
If using veggies, add them during the last 2 hours so they don’t overcook.
Serving Suggestions
Let the pork rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking. Then slice or shred with forks. Serve with:
- Mashed or roasted potatoes
- Rice pilaf or stuffing
- Sauteed vegetables like green beans, brussels sprouts, etc
- Salad or coleslaw
- Baked mac and cheese
- Homemade gravy
Use any pan juices or pork drippings from the crock to make a simple gravy for serving.
Leftovers and Pulled Pork
Slice and freeze any leftover pork for quick future meals. Or, shred the pork with two forks and stir in barbecue sauce to make pulled pork. Pile it onto buns for easy sandwiches.
The moist environment of the slow cooker makes even lean cuts like pork loin juicy and fork-tender. Follow this simple method for cooking half a pork loin in the crockpot, and you’ll have the makings for amazing dinners all week long. Enjoy!
Crock Pot Pork Loin, Easy Slow Cooker Recipe- Family Favorite
FAQ
How to keep pork loin from drying out in a crockpot?
Is a half pork loin the same as a pork tenderloin?
Can you use half pork loin for pulled pork?
Do you need to add liquid to a crock pot when cooking pork?
Can you cook pork loin in a crock pot?
Slow cook: Layer your sliced onions in the bottom of the crock pot. Transfer the seared pork loin to your slow cooker and pour the sauce over it. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. Thicken the sauce: Once your pork loin is cooked, remove it and allow to rest while you thicken the sauce.
How do you cook pork loin in a slow cooker?
Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Sear the pork loin, turning every 2 minutes, to develop an even brown crust all around, approximately 7 to 10 minutes. In the slow cooker, mix together cranberry sauce, dried cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, and a dash of cinnamon.
Can you eat a pork loin roast in a slow cooker?
There is nothing like a good slow cooker pork loin roast that you can come home to and just start eating straight away. By the time you go to eat this roast pork, it should be tender and packed with some incredible flavors thanks to the seasoning mixture. The vegetables are also pretty good on the side.
How to make a crock pot pork loin roast juiciest?
Brining pork is the first step to achieve the best pork loin roast of your life, but it also is elevated by some other key steps. Here is how to make the juiciest crock pot pork loin recipe: Rinse pork loin: after you brine the pork loin, rinse it thoroughly to remove excess salt. You can always add salt after cooking but it’s hard to take away!