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A delicious and flavorful Crock Pot Pork Roast with Apricot Sauce is an easy dinner recipe to come home to on busy days! The boneless pork loin stays moist and tender in the slow cooker and is finished with a 3-ingredient sweet-and-savory glaze!
Table of Contents
- A Simple Slow Cooker Pork Roast Recipe
- Ingredients for Crock Pot Pork Roast with Apricot Glaze
- How to Make Crock Pot Pork Roast
- Crockpot Pork Roast Recipe Variations & FAQs
- What to Serve with Apricot Glazed Slow Cooker Pork Roast
- More Easy Crock Pot Pork Recipes to Try
- Crock Pot Pork Roast with Apricot Sauce Recipe
A Simple Slow Cooker Pork Roast Recipe
Sometimes, you just need an effortless dinner that requires minimal effort yet looks like you spent hours in the kitchen. That’s when a trustworthy slow cooker recipe comes in! This boneless slow cooker pork roast recipe is exactly what you need.
The juicy pork roast cooks slowly on your counter all day while you go about your daily responsibilities. When you’re ready to enjoy the tender, juicy pork, you just whisk together a quick sauce for the perfect finishing touch! This crock pot pork loin has so much flavor with minimal effort – it looks and tastes elegant enough to serve your guests when you’re hosting company, but it’s also a great option for a crazy-busy weeknight! Pair with your favorite easy side dishes for a complete meal that will please the whole family.
Knowing the Cuts of Pork: Pork Roast, Pork Loin, & Pork Tenderloin
So, what’s the difference between pork loin, pork tenderloin, and pork roast? This recipe uses a boneless pork loin roast, different from pork tenderloin. A pork loin is a center cut of meat, and the tenderloin is a smaller cut right under the loin. Tenderloins are smaller and – as the name suggests – very tender.
The delicious pork roast is also a tender cut that tastes best after slow cooking – like braised pork loin or oven-roasted pork roast. This crock pot pork roast recipe will yield the best results – perfectly seasoned, tender pork roast slow cooked and finished with a sweet and savory apricot glaze.
Ingredients for Crock Pot Pork Roast with Apricot Glaze
This easy slow cooker pork recipe only needs a handful of simple ingredients! Below is an overview of the ingredients you need to make apricot glazed crockpot pork roast. As always, you can find the complete ingredients and directions in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Boneless Pork Loin: I use a boneless pork roast between 4-5 lbs. and trimmed of any excess fat.
- Garlic: a necessary aromatic for flavor.
- Dried Thyme and Ginger: seasonings for the savory marinade.
- Dried Ground Mustard: for a tangy flavor. You could also use Dijon mustard for more zing.
- White Wine: the alcohol cooks off, leaving a bright, acidic note to the glaze and marinade.
- Apricot Preserves: the sweet base of the pork loin glaze.
- Soy Sauce: balances the sweetness of the glaze with a salty, umami flavor.
Can I make this recipe with a different cut of pork?
The only other cut of meat I’d recommend for a crock pot pork recipe would be pork chops, a pork shoulder roast, or a sirloin roast. The cooking time would vary depending on the cut, but each of these cuts turns out great when slow-cooked for the right amount of time.
How to Make Crock Pot Pork Roast
This easy and delicious crockpot pork roast recipe turns out great every time. Set it in the morning and forget about it until dinnertime! When it’s done, the end result is a tender, juicy pork roast packed with sweet and savory flavor.
- Season the pork roast with salt and black pepper.
- Sear the roast in a large skillet on both sides, then place in the slow cooker.
- Whisk together the simple marinade & pour it over the pork loin in the slow cooker.
- Cook the pork loin on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.
- Prepare the apricot glaze in a small saucepan on the stovetop.
- Rest the pork roast for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve the pork roast sliced with a drizzle of apricot sauce.
Searing the Pork Loin for Extra Flavor
We’re starting with a 4-5 lb. boneless pork loin roast. I love Smithfield pork products – they have a variety of cuts and even have flavor-marinated pork, too. I like to trim the excess fat from the pork before cooking it. You want to season the pork liberally with salt and pepper on both sides. If you’re using any other herbs and spices, you can add them here. Because we’re making a sweet apricot sauce, you don’t want anything too savory or bold to clash with the sweetness. If you want to add seasonings, keep it simple with garlic powder or Italian seasoning.
Next, sear the meat on both sides – about 2-3 minutes per side – until nice and golden brown. My slow cooker has a searing function, so I brown the meat directly in the Crock Pot. This saves an extra step and gives me one less pan to wash! However, you can easily use a large skillet with olive oil for this step.
Slow Cooking with a Savory Marinade
Now it’s time for the marinade! This sauce will infuse your pork with flavor as it sits and cooks for hours. To make the marinade, whisk the white wine, soy sauce, garlic, mustard, thyme, and ginger together in a small bowl or measuring cup. Pour the sauce over the pork, and you’re ready to set the timer and walk away!
Pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F with at least 3 minutes of rest time after cooking. Resting the meat allows for carry-over cooking, which brings the meat to a safe temperature without the risk of overcooking. An instant-read thermometer is the best way to determine accurate internal temperature.
Making the Sweet Apricot Sauce
When the pork is done cooking, remove it from the slow cooker and allow it to rest on a cutting board for a few minutes while you prepare the apricot sauce. This simple glaze requires just three ingredients – apricot preserves, soy sauce, and white wine – and a few minutes. Combine the ingredients in a small saucepot on the stovetop and stir continuously over low heat until hot and bubbly. Serve the sliced or shredded pork roast with the warm apricot glaze on the side.
Crockpot Pork Roast Recipe Variations & FAQs
- Make sure that you season the pork with plenty of salt and pepper. This is a large piece of meat, so it needs lots of flavor!
- For a sweeter caramelized flavor on the meat, mix ½ teaspoon of brown sugar in with the salt and pepper seasoning rub.
- Don’t want to use apricot preserves? Try substituting it with peach preserves or orange marmalade.
- Garnish with fresh parsley for a bright burst of flavor and color!
- For an alcohol-free recipe, substitute an equal amount of chicken broth or chicken stock for the white wine.
- Have extra apricot sauce? Store in a bottle or jar in the refrigerator and use in other recipes, like Apricot Glazed Chicken, Baked Apricot Ham, or Apricot Glazed Slow Cooker Pulled Pork.
Do you need to add liquid to the Crock Pot when cooking pork?
No, you do NOT need to add water or any additional liquids to the Crock Pot. The pork roast marinade provides more than enough liquid to keep the meat nice and juicy while it slowly cooks all day!
How long does pork cook in the Crock Pot?
Cook a 4-5 lb. pork roast in the Crock Pot for about 6-8 hours on LOW or 3-4 hours on HIGH. If you’re using a smaller 2-3 lb. roast, you can decrease the cooking time by 1-2 hours.
Can I put a frozen pork roast in the Crock Pot?
Yes, you can. If you’re adding a frozen pork roast to the slow cooker, you’ll want to increase the cooking time by 1-2 hours.
What does searing pork loin before slow cooking do?
This is not a necessary step, but searing the pork roast adds so much flavor! Browning or caramelizing the roast adds a depth of flavor that’s rich and savory and gives the roast that perfectly seared color. You can skip this step, but I recommend not – the flavor at the end is so worth the extra few minutes!
Can I freeze Crock Pot pork roast?
Yes! If you have leftovers, the meat will freeze beautifully! Allow the sliced or shredded pork to cool to room temperature, package it in an airtight container, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What to Serve with Apricot Glazed Slow Cooker Pork Roast
Here are a few delicious side dishes that go well with a boneless pork roast recipe:
- Dump-and-Bake Overnight Macaroni and Cheese
- Crispy Seasoned Oven Roasted Potatoes
- Make Ahead Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Aunt Bee’s 3-Ingredient Cheesy Potato Casserole
- Southern Collard Greens
- Southern Slow Cooker Green Beans
- Pink Ambrosia Salad
More Easy Crock Pot Pork Recipes to Try
Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Vegetables and Gravy
6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Slow Cooker Pork Loin with Vegetables
4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork + White BBQ Sauce
12 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops
4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Crock Pot Pork Roast with Apricot Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 (4 – 5 lb.) boneless pork loin trimmed of excess fat
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Pork Marinade:
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup white wine
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon dry ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon ginger
Apricot Sauce:
- 1 10 oz. jar apricot preserves
- 2 tbsp white wine
- 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
Instructions
- Season pork liberally on all sides with salt and pepper.1 (4 – 5 lb.) boneless pork loin, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tbsp black pepper
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Brown the loin on both sides. Transfer the loin to the slow cooker.1 tbsp olive oil
- In a large measuring cup, whisk together garlic, ¼ cup white wine, ½ cup soy sauce, mustard, thyme and ginger. Pour over the pork in the slow cooker.½ cup low-sodium soy sauce, ¼ cup white wine, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 tablespoon dry ground mustard, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon ginger
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.
- When the roast is done, transfer to a cutting board and cover loosely with foil to keep warm. Allow the meat to rest for 5-10 minutes.
- While the meat rests, prepare the Apricot Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine preserves, 2 tablespoons of white wine and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Heat until bubbly hot.1 10 oz. jar apricot preserves, 2 tbsp white wine, 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- Slice or shred the roast and serve with warm Apricot Sauce.
Notes
- Make sure that you season the pork with plenty of salt and pepper. This is a large piece of meat, so it needs lots of flavor!
- For a sweeter caramelized flavor on the meat, mix ½ teaspoon of brown sugar in with the salt and pepper seasoning rub.
- Don’t want to use apricot preserves? Try substituting it with peach preserves or orange marmalade.
- Garnish with fresh parsley for a bright burst of flavor and color!
- For an alcohol-free recipe, substitute an equal amount of chicken broth or chicken stock for the white wine.
- Have extra apricot sauce? Store in a bottle or jar in the refrigerator and use in other recipes, like Apricot Glazed Chicken, Baked Apricot Ham, or Apricot Glazed Slow Cooker Pulled Pork.
Hello Blair,
I would love to cook this dish, however as I dont have a crock pot, how would you suggest I cook this in the oven.
Kind regards, Trish
Hi, Trish! I would suggest that you follow the same instructions, but put the pork in a large roasting pan with the cooking liquid. Cover with foil and roast in a 300 degree F oven for about 3-4 hours. Enjoy!
It’s cooking as I type this……smells soooo good and can’t wait to eat it!!
That’s great, Diana! I hope that you enjoyed it! 🙂 I’d put that apricot sauce on just about anything!
I hafta say, it was AMAZING!!! My husband and son loved it! Thank you for that wonderful recipe!!!
That’s great, Diana! Thank you!