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Prepare a tender, juicy Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Garlic and Rosemary for your next easy and healthy weeknight dinner! Olive oil, garlic and herbs add so much flavor to the dish. With just 5 minutes of prep, supper is ready and the Crock Pot does the work!
Sometimes you just need a quick-prep dinner idea that you don’t have to think about! This easy recipe for slow cooker pork loin is a healthy, tasty meal that appeals to even the pickiest little eaters. Pair it with vegetables and your favorite starch for a simple weeknight supper.
What’s the difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin?
Pork tenderloin, a smaller cut that generally weighs about 1 pound, is not cut from the same part of the animal as the larger pork loin. Since pork tenderloin is naturally lean and tender, it does well when cooked quickly at high temperatures. By contrast, pork loin lends itself well to slower roasting or grilling techniques. For more details about these two different cuts of meat, check out this article.
Can pork tenderloin be used for pulled pork?
The classic cut for pulled pork is a pork shoulder or “pork butt,” because this type of pork does best when cooked low and slow. It has a lot of fat to keep the meat moist while the tough fibers slowly break down in the cooking process.
If you’re looking for a leaner cut of meat for pulled pork, then a slow cooker pork tenderloin recipe just might be your answer! It will have a different taste and texture than the pork shoulder (since it’s a different cut with less fat), but the tenderloin does become juicy and fall-apart tender when cooked in the Crock Pot for 8 (or more) hours. You can shred it with two forks and toss it with your favorite barbecue sauce when it’s done.
How to make Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin:
Since pork tenderloin is typically cooked at a higher temperature for a short amount of time, there are a few keys to keep in mind when preparing it in a Crock Pot. But first, let’s start with the ingredients!
Here’s what you’ll need for a simple pork tenderloin in the slow cooker:
- Pork tenderloins
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
- Thyme
- Rosemary
First, pat the pork dry with paper towels and then place in the slow cooker.
Next, in a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic, salt, thyme, rosemary and pepper. Rub this mixture all over the pork, cover, and cook on LOW for 3-6 hours or on HIGH for 1.5 – 3 hours.
Remove the pork to a cutting board, allow to rest for about 10 minutes, and then slice and serve!
What should I serve with Pork Loin?
This garlic and herb infused pork goes well with almost any of your favorite sides! Here are a few easy options to get you started:
- Make Ahead Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Secret Ingredient Jiffy Cornbread
- Rice, noodles, or a loaf of crusty French baguette
- 5-Ingredient Baked Apples
- Southern Collard Greens
- Brown Sugar Roasted Acorn Squash
- A simple green salad dressed in Italian Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans
Cook’s Tips and Recipe Variations for the perfect Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin:
- To bake this pork tenderloin in the oven: Prepare the pork as instructed, place on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake in a 425 degree F oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
- If you prefer your pork tenderloin just cooked through, but still firm and sliceable, I recommend a very short time in the Crock Pot. The meat is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, which might only require about 1 – 1.5 hours on HIGH or 2 – 3 hours on LOW. Alternatively, you can slowly cook the tenderloin on LOW for up to 8 hours (or more) — the texture will just be very different. When cooked for a longer period of time, the meat breaks down more, is fall-apart tender, and can easily be shred with two forks. Either option tastes great, so choose your preference!
- Fresh or dried herbs both work well here. If you have other favorite herbs available, such as parsley or oregano, add them to the mix as well.
- If you don’t want the larger pieces of fresh garlic on your pork, you can substitute with about 3/4 of a teaspoon of dried garlic powder.
- Make sure that you’re using pork tenderloin, not pork loin (they are two different cuts of meat).
- If using a round slow cooker, you can cut the tenderloins in half (or in pieces) in order to help them fit into the pot. In an oval slow cooker, they can lie side-by-side.
- This crock pot pork tenderloin recipe calls for 2 tenderloins; however, you can easily cut the ingredients in half to serve a smaller family.
- This healthy pork tenderloin recipe is low-carb, sugar free, and high in protein — with just 245 calories per serving.
More easy pork tenderloin recipes that you might enjoy:
- Pork Tenderloin Marinade
- Honey Garlic Dijon Pork Tenderloin Marinade
- Mustard and Brown Sugar Baked Pork Tenderloin
- Garlic Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin
- Honey Dijon Roasted Pork Tenderloin
Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Garlic and Rosemary
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pork tenderloins (about 2 lbs. total)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves, minced or grated (about 2 ½ tablespoons) OR substitute with ¾ teaspoon of dried garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme OR 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary OR 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Pat pork dry with paper towels and place in a slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, stir together olive oil, garlic, salt, thyme, rosemary, and pepper. Rub mixture all over the pork tenderloins.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 1 ½ – 3 hours. You can leave the pork on LOW in the slow cooker for up to 8 hours, which will give it a fall-apart tender texture, similar to pulled pork. If you prefer to slice your pork tenderloin, cook it for less time so that it’s just cooked through and reaches 145 degrees F.
- Remove pork to a cutting board and allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- To bake this pork tenderloin in the oven: Prepare the pork as instructed, place on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake in a 425 degree F oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
- If you prefer your pork tenderloin just cooked through, but still firm and sliceable, I recommend a very short time in the Crock Pot. The meat is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, which might only require about 1 – 1.5 hours on HIGH or 2 – 3 hours on LOW. Alternatively, you can slowly cook the tenderloin on LOW for up to 8 hours (or more) — the texture will just be very different. When cooked for a longer period of time, the meat breaks down more, is fall-apart tender, and can easily be shred with two forks. Either option tastes great, so choose your preference!
- Fresh or dried herbs both work well here. If you have other favorite herbs available, such as parsley or oregano, add them to the mix as well.
- If you don’t want the larger pieces of fresh garlic on your pork, you can substitute with about 3/4 of a teaspoon of dried garlic powder.
- Make sure that you’re using pork tenderloin, not pork loin (they are two different cuts of meat).
- If using a round slow cooker, you can cut the tenderloins in half (or in pieces) in order to help them fit into the pot. In an oval slow cooker, they can lie side-by-side.
- This crock pot pork tenderloin recipe calls for 2 tenderloins; however, you can easily cut the ingredients in half to serve a smaller family.
- This healthy pork tenderloin recipe is low-carb, sugar free, and high in protein — with just 245 calories per serving.
Wonderful! Could not be any easier for this very busy time of the year! Will definitely add to my slow cooker recipes. Thank you. ????
Thank you, Jane!
Loved the simplicity and one of the few recipes that didn’t call for a cup of broth or water. Will make this again and we all enjoyed the firmness of the pork.
Great! Thanks, Ed!
Blair! I made this last night & it was wonderful! At last a pork tenderloin not swimming in sauce. I cooked 1 tenderloin on high for 2 hrs and it was the best I’ve had. Cooked through, but not dry and my hubby loved the herb/olive oil rub. This is a keeper. Thanks!
That’s excellent, Dawn! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it! 🙂
I will be cooking just one pork tenderloin that is preseasoned. What else should I add to have gravy to serve over rice? Water? Broth? Dry onion soup mix? Please respond ASAP. Thanks,
Hi, Linda! I don’t think you really need to add anything. I use the seasoning blend to flavor the meat, but if you are using a pre-seasoned tenderloin, you can just skip that step. You can certainly include a bit of broth, but the broth will not turn into a thick gravy — it will just be watered down broth, since the slow cooker creates condensation that drips back down into the pot. You can use the drippings from the meat in the pot to create a gravy in a separate pan at the end, if you like. Tenderloin is very lean, though, so you won’t have too much fat. You’ll definitely need to use some butter or oil to make the gravy. Hope you enjoy!
This was really tasty but it was over cooked after just 2 hours on low. Next time I’ll check after 1.5 hours.
Made this for the family tonight and it was a BIG HIT! It’s a great way to cook pork tenderloin in the summer if you don’t want to heat up the house with an oven or use a grill (sometimes that summer weather can be unpredictable and/or too hot)!
Yes! This one is great for those extra hot days. We’re so glad it was a hit!