This Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin is one of the easiest ways to make a tender, flavorful dinner with minimal effort. With simple pantry ingredients and just a few minutes of prep, this budget-friendly meal cooks all day and is ready when you are—perfect for busy weeknights.
This is one of our go-to crock pot meals because it’s family-tested, freezer-friendly, and always comes out juicy and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
We make this recipe often because it uses simple, affordable ingredients and turns out perfectly every time. There’s no searing required—just add everything to the slow cooker and let it do the work. It’s been tested in our kitchen many times and always comes out tender, juicy, and full of flavor.
As a busy mom of 8, I rely on crock pot recipes like this several times a week. They save time, stretch our grocery budget, and this slow cooker pork tenderloin is always a family favorite.
If you love easy meals like this, try our Cranberry Pork Tenderloin, Crock Pot Cuban Mojo Pork Tenderloin, Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin and Oven Baked Pork Tenderloin Recipe.
For even more easy dinners, take a look at our Crock Pot Dinners for Busy Nights Series.
Recipe Snapshot
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2–4 hours (low)
- Total Time: 2–4 hours
- Servings: 4–6
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cooking Method: Slow Cooker
- Budget Friendly: Yes
Ingredients
- Pork Tenderloin – Be sure to use pork tenderloin, not pork loin, for the most tender results in the slow cooker.
- Minced Garlic – Adds lots of flavor to the pork. Fresh garlic is best, but jarred minced garlic works great too.
- Italian Seasoning – A simple blend of herbs that gives the pork delicious flavor without extra work.
- Salt – Helps bring out all the flavors in the sauce and seasoning.
- Black Pepper – Adds a little bit of spice and balances the sweetness in the sauce.
- Onion Powder – Gives the pork extra savory flavor with no chopping required.
- Chicken Broth – Keeps the pork tender and creates the base for the sauce.
- Soy Sauce – Adds rich flavor and a little saltiness. Low-sodium soy sauce works great too.
- Balsamic Vinegar – Adds a tangy, rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the honey.
- Honey – Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory sauce. Maple syrup can be used if needed.
- Cornstarch – Helps thicken the sauce so it coats the pork perfectly.
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
How to Make Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin
Step 1 – Place the pork tenderloin in the crock pot.
Step 2 – Sprinkle the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and onion powder over the top of the tenderloin.
Step 3 – In a small bowl whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, honey and cornstarch together in a small bowl.
Step 4 – Pour this mixture into the crock pot.
Step 5 – Cover and cook on low for 2-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours. Cook until a instant read thermometer reads an internal temperature of 145-150 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the pork tenderloin. Watch closely as the pork can easily overcook in the crock pot.
Step 6 – Remove the pork tenderloin from the crock pot. Let it rest for 10 minutes and then the pork is ready to slice, serve with the sauce from the crock pot over the top and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Use pork tenderloin (not pork loin) for best texture
- Don’t overcook—it can dry out quickly
- Use a meat thermometer (145°F is ideal)
- Let rest before slicing
Variations Ideas
Flavor Variations:
- BBQ sauce for a sweeter flavor
- Mustard for tang
- Apple cider vinegar for brightness
Seasoning Options:
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Chili powder
- Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme
How to Use Leftovers
If we have any pork tenderloin left over, it is delicious shredded for Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin Tacos. It is amazing and so easy for a quick meal on busy nights.
You will love this cut of pork in the slow cooker. You can shred it with a fork and it is super quick and easy.
Serving Suggestions
This pork roast cooks tender in the slow cooker. It is best served with your favorite side dishes for a complete meal idea. We love to serve with a side of Homemade Mashed Potatoes and Sauteed Green Beans.
We also like to add a side of Homemade Dinner Rolls to get every last drop of the gravy.
Storage & Freezer Instructions
- Refrigerate: Store leftover pork tenderloin in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals or warm in a baking dish covered with foil in a 325°F oven until heated through. Spoon extra sauce over the pork to help keep it moist.
- Freeze Cooked Pork: Let the pork cool completely, then place in a freezer-safe container or bag with some of the sauce. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Freeze Before Cooking: Add the pork tenderloin and sauce ingredients to a freezer bag, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before adding to the slow cooker.
- Thawing Tip: For best results, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently so the pork stays tender and juicy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but cooking on low is recommended for the most tender results.
Avoid overcooking and use a meat thermometer. Remove at 145°F and let it rest.
Pork tenderloin is smaller and more tender, making it better for slow cooking.
More Easy Pork Tenderloin Recipes
- Tender Baked Pork Tenderloin
- Coke Marinated Pork Loin
- Balsamic Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin Recipe
- Balsamic Pork Tenderloin Crock Pot Recipe
More Easy Pork Recipes
If you make this Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love hearing from you.
Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Pork Tenderloin
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup Soy Sauce
- 3 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons Honey
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Place 2 pounds pork tenderloin in the crock pot.
- Sprinkle 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon onion powder over the top of the pork tenderloin.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup chicken broth, ¼ cup soy sauce, 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 3 tablespoons honey, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch until combined.
- Pour this mixture into the crock pot.
- Cover and cook on low for 2-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours until a meat thermometer reads an internal temperature of 145-150 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the pork tenderloin. Watch closely as the pork can easily overcook in the crock pot.
- Remove the pork tenderloin from the crock pot. Let it rest for 10 minutes and then the pork is ready to slice, serve with the sauce from the crock pot over the top and enjoy!
Hi, this recipe looks good but why can’t pork loin be used please?
Rosy – This recipe is for a pork tenderloin and the loin just will not be as tender when following this recipe. However, I do have a Crock Pot Pork Loin Recipe as well if you want to make that instead! If you try out either of these recipes, please come back and let me know what you think!
Made this yesterday. Delicious and easy!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Sharon! Thank you for sharing!
Easy, delicious, quick, young grandchildren had third helpings.
Woohoo! I love hearing this! Thank you so much for sharing!
I’m currently making this exactly as the recipe calls for and it looks burnt? Has this happened to anyone else?
Can I cook this on high? I’m sure low and slow is better but seldom do I have time for that. Would high 3-4 hours work?
Yes, you can cook on high for approximately half of the cook time.
Tried this recipe for the first time. I try to avoid pork because it always comes out dry when I cook it. But with this recipe in the slow cooker it was perfect. Even my picky kids liked it. Will definitely be keeping this one in my book!
We made this Christmas day. Threw it in the crockpot along with carrots and the potatoes on low for 6 hours. Everything was perfectly cooked and the tenderloin fell apart it was so tender. Flavor was WONDERFUL!
Does the pork need to be thawed or was this put in the crockpot straight from the freezer?
I thawed the pork out for this recipe. Thank you.
What could I use instead of steak seasoning?
I am going to add this to my meal prep line-up. Just want to follow your recipe then tweak if necessary. What steak seasoning do you swear by?
Generally, I use Montreal but any would work great. Thank you!
Are you certain you mean pork Tenderloin? I’ve never seen one that weighs more than 1.5 pounds. Pork loin, yes, but tenderloin? Those are usually two to a pack weighing about 2-2.5 pounds total.
Hello! Tried this & it was absolutely amazing! My crock pot is old so we cooked it for 8 hours on low then another 2 on high with the kid off. Perfect fall apart tenderloin. Highly recommend! Thank you
AMAZING! I did this for a crock pot meal exchange and this was by far the best of ALL the meals put together. Thanks it will be one I continue to prepare on a regular basis. PS it was great over rice!
I’m wondering if this will turn out as good if you cook it on high for around 4 hours? I didn’t realize what time it was when I put it on. So I need it to cook faster!
This was one of the best slow cooker recipes I have ever prepared. It smelled heavenly while cooking and tasted 10 X better than it smelled. Has anyone tried this by reducing the oil? I would like to fix this often but my waistline can’t afford the 1/2 cup oil. Maybe 1/3 cup?? Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
I’m so glad you liked it!
Do you think this would work with chicken instead of pork? Thanks xx
Yes, I think it would taste amazing Kira.
Hi there! I am trying the recipe today and it has been in the crock for four hours so far and I’m a little concerned…it doesn’t look like your photo whatsoever. 🙁 I followed the recipe exact. It looks really oily. Did you put the tenderloin in the oven for a bit before or after? I have two loins in there…I really hope it turns out.
Mine didn’t look like this until I poured the sauce over it. Did it turn out great for you?