I found a gem featuring pork tenderloin enhanced by brown sugar and smoked paprika. Apple cider vinegar and a hint of red pepper flakes give the dish a spirited twist and an amazing sauce. This Easy Crockpot Pork Loin Recipes creation has become a cherished member of my recipe collection. Enjoy the enticing flavors.
I’ve been playing around with flavors in my slow cooker and stumbled upon a pork tenderloin recipe that’s become one of my favorites. It stars a 1 to 1.5 lb piece of pork tenderloin, which when slow cooked with a mix of 1/4 cup brown sugar and 2 tsp smoked paprika, creates a sauce that’ll have you coming back for more.
I add a bit of garlic powder, onion powder, and even a touch of salt and black pepper to make sure every bite is full of flavor. Mix in low-sodium chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce for that perfect tang, and if you’re into a little heat, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes does the trick.
I’ve tried variations of this in my collection of Crockpot and Slow Cooker Pork Loin recipes and each time, I’m surprised how juicy and rich it turns out. Give it a whirl and tell me what you think!
Why I Like this Recipe
I like this recipe because the blend of brown sugar and smoked paprika gives it a sweet and smoky flavor that feels really unique. I also love how the slow cooker makes the pork tender beyond belief—its like every bite just melts in your mouth. Another thing is the sauce; after simmering it down a bit, it turns into this thick, awesome drizzle that just ties everything together perfectly. Finally, I appreciate that it’s super simple to prep and cook, so even when im busy I can whip it up without a ton of fuss.
Ingredients
- Pork tenderloin provides lean protein and remains juicy and tender after long slow cooking
- Brown sugar adds natural sweetness with carbohydrates and a hint of molasses flavor
- Smoked paprika gives a deep, smokey flavor with antioxidants and a light, warming heat
- Low-sodium chicken broth boosts moisture and offers a mild, savory taste without too much salt
- Apple cider vinegar adds tanginess and helps tenderize the meat balancing the sweet and savory notes
- Worcestershire sauce deepens flavor with its complex umami-rich mix making each bite extra interesting
- Garlic powder enhances savory notes and offers extra antioxidants that support overall health
- Onion powder provides a mild tangy flavor with natural compounds that boost taste complexity
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 pork tenderloin (about 1 to 1.5 lbs)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
How to Make this
1. Mix together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
2. Rub this spice mix all over the pork tenderloin, making sure it’s evenly coated.
3. Place the pork in the slow cooker.
4. In another bowl, stir the low-sodium chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and crushed red pepper flakes if you’re using them.
5. Pour the liquid over the pork in the slow cooker.
6. Cover and cook on low for about 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the pork is fully cooked and tender.
7. Once cooked, take the pork out and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
8. (Optional) If you want a thicker sauce, pour the liquid into a saucepan and let it simmer on high until it reduces a bit.
9. Slice the pork and serve it drizzled with the tasty sauce from the pot. Enjoy your meal!
Equipment Needed
1. Small bowl for mixing the dry spices
2. Larger bowl for whisking together the liquids
3. Slow cooker to cook the pork
4. Measuring spoons and cups to get the right amounts
5. Spatula or whisk for stirring the mixtures
6. Knife and cutting board for slicing the pork after cooking
7. Saucepan (optional) if you want to reduce the liquid sauce
FAQ
Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you don’t have brown sugar, you could use white sugar or even honey, though it might change the flavor a bit.
- Not finding smoked paprika? Try using regular paprika plus a tiny pinch of cumin for a similar smoky feel.
- If you’re out of garlic powder, mincing up some fresh garlic works pretty well instead.
- No low-sodium chicken broth? Vegetable broth is a good swap and keeps it light.
- For Worcestershire sauce, a mix of soy sauce with a little extra apple cider vinegar can do the trick.
Pro Tips
1. Try searing the pork tenderloin in a hot pan for a couple minutes on each side before you add it to the slow cooker. This gives extra flavor and helps the spices stick real good.
2. If you have time, let the pork sit with the spice rub in the fridge for a few hours or even overnight. This makes the meat soak up more of those yummy flavors.
3. When it comes time to serve, let the meat rest for a few minutes after cooking so the juices get redistributed. This way when you slice it, it stays juicy and tender.
4. For a thicker, more intense sauce, pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan at the end and let it simmer until it reduces a bit. Just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Recipe
I found a gem featuring pork tenderloin enhanced by brown sugar and smoked paprika. Apple cider vinegar and a hint of red pepper flakes give the dish a spirited twist and an amazing sauce. This Easy Crockpot Pork Loin Recipes creation has become a cherished member of my recipe collection. Enjoy the enticing flavors.
4
servings
250
kcal
Equipment: 1. Small bowl for mixing the dry spices
2. Larger bowl for whisking together the liquids
3. Slow cooker to cook the pork
4. Measuring spoons and cups to get the right amounts
5. Spatula or whisk for stirring the mixtures
6. Knife and cutting board for slicing the pork after cooking
7. Saucepan (optional) if you want to reduce the liquid sauce
Ingredients
-
1 pork tenderloin (about 1 to 1.5 lbs)
-
1/4 cup brown sugar
-
2 tsp smoked paprika
-
1 tsp garlic powder
-
1 tsp onion powder
-
1/2 tsp salt
-
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
-
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
-
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
-
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
-
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Directions
- Mix together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Rub this spice mix all over the pork tenderloin, making sure it's evenly coated.
- Place the pork in the slow cooker.
- In another bowl, stir the low-sodium chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and crushed red pepper flakes if you're using them.
- Pour the liquid over the pork in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for about 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the pork is fully cooked and tender.
- Once cooked, take the pork out and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- (Optional) If you want a thicker sauce, pour the liquid into a saucepan and let it simmer on high until it reduces a bit.
- Slice the pork and serve it drizzled with the tasty sauce from the pot. Enjoy your meal!
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 125g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 250kcal
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated: 1g
- Monounsaturated: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sodium: 350mg
- Potassium: 400mg
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 27g
- Vitamin A: 100IU
- Vitamin C: 2mg
- Calcium: 20mg
- Iron: 1mg
