Slow cooked marinated pork loin sliced on a serving plate with herbs

Tender & Flavorful Slow Cooked Marinated Pork Loin

Name: Tender & Flavorful Slow Cooked Marinated Pork Loin
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 6 h 30 min
Total time: 7 h 15 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.2 kg Pork loin (boneless, about 1.2 kg) - choose a fresh, firm piece with light pink color; 3 tbsp Olive oil - for marinade and searing; 4 tbsp Soy sauce - for a savory touch; 2 tbsp Honey - for a natural sweetness; 4 cloves Garlic (minced fresh) - adds aromatic flavor; 1 tsp Dried rosemary - for herbal aroma; 1 tsp Dried thyme - for subtle earthiness; 1.5 tsp Salt - to enhance flavors; 1 tsp Ground black pepper - fresh ground is preferred; 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar - tenderizes meat and adds tang; 100 ml Water or low sodium chicken broth - to add moisture while slow cooking

Home Page / Slow Cooker Recipes / Slow Cooking Pork: Easy and Delicious Recipes

medium

6 hour 30 min

Nutritional value per serving

Calories350kcal

Carbs5gram

Fat15gram

Protein40gram

Ingredients

Quantity

Pork loin (boneless, about 1.2 kg) - choose a fresh, firm piece with light pink color1.2 kg
Olive oil - for marinade and searing3 tbsp
Soy sauce - for a savory touch4 tbsp
Honey - for a natural sweetness2 tbsp
Garlic (minced fresh) - adds aromatic flavor4 cloves
Dried rosemary - for herbal aroma1 tsp
Dried thyme - for subtle earthiness1 tsp
Salt - to enhance flavors1.5 tsp
Ground black pepper - fresh ground is preferred1 tsp
Apple cider vinegar - tenderizes meat and adds tang2 tbsp
Water or low sodium chicken broth - to add moisture while slow cooking100 ml

This slow cooked marinated pork loin recipe is perfect for home cooks craving a juicy and flavorful pork dish that's simple to prepare. We marinate the pork loin for tenderness and depth of flavor, then slow cook it to an ideal internal temperature to ensure it's safe, juicy, and tender. The total ingredient cost is approximately $12 (USD), €11 (Euro), £9 (GBP), and ₹950 (INR). Each serving has about 350 calories. The recipe fits well into a balanced diet and is of medium cooking complexity with a total time of 8 hours and 15 minutes including marinating and cooking time. This recipe is perfect for a comforting dinner and can be paired with your favorite sides.

Preparation instructions

Prepare the marinade

1In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, dried rosemary, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and apple cider vinegar until well combined. This marinade will infuse the pork loaf with delicious flavors and help tenderize it.

Marinate the pork loin

2Place the pork loin in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring it is well coated. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight for best flavor. Marinating helps break down proteins making the pork tender and flavorful.

Preheat the slow cooker and prepare pork loin

3Remove the pork loin from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. This step prepares the pork for even cooking and better texture.

Sear the pork loin

4Once the oil is hot, sear the pork loin on all sides until browned (about 2-3 minutes per side). Searing locks in juices and gives the meat a beautiful color. Transfer the pork to the slow cooker.

Add liquid to the slow cooker

5Pour 100 ml of water or low sodium chicken broth into the slow cooker around the pork loin. This will keep the environment moist, preventing the meat from drying out during the long cooking process.

Slow cook the pork loin

6Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Cooking on low results in more tender meat. Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safety; it should reach at least 63°C (145°F) followed by a 3-minute rest time as recommended by USDA.

Rest and serve

7Once the pork loin has reached the safe internal temperature and is cooked through, remove it from the slow cooker and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Resting allows juices to redistribute making the meat juicy and tender.

Cooking Tips

1Use a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the pork loin to check doneness. This guarantees the pork is safely cooked without being overdone.

2Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meat and other ingredients. Wash hands frequently.

3If you don't have apple cider vinegar, lemon juice or white wine vinegar can be used as a substitute in the marinade.

4For extra flavor, add sliced onions or apples in the slow cooker with the pork loin.

5Letting the pork rest after cooking is essential for juicy meat; do not skip this step.

Equipment needed

Slow cooker / Crockpot
Large skillet or frying pan
Meat thermometer
Mixing bowl
Measuring spoons
Knife and cutting board
Tongs or spatula
Resealable plastic bag or shallow dish for marinating

Grocery shopping list

[ ] Pork loin boneless (~1.2 kg) - approx. $8.50. Choose fresh, firm, and pale pink pork without unpleasant smell.
[ ] Olive oil - approx. $0.50 for required amount. Select extra virgin for best flavor.
[ ] Soy sauce - approx. $0.30. Opt for low sodium to control saltiness.
[ ] Honey - approx. $0.70. Choose pure honey for natural sweetness.
[ ] Fresh garlic (4 cloves) - approx. $0.20. Look for firm bulbs with no sprouts.
[ ] Dried rosemary and thyme - approx. $0.40. Use fresh if preferred.
[ ] Salt and black pepper - approx. $0.10.
[ ] Apple cider vinegar - approx. $0.50.
[ ] Chicken broth or water - approx. $0.20.

Total approximate cost: $12.40

FAQ

How do I know when the pork loin is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Pork loin is safely cooked at 63°C (145°F) with a 3-minute rest time afterward as per USDA guidelines.