A Slow Cooker Pork Loin roast or Pork Shoulder roast that’s cooked in an amazing honey butter garlic sauce! It’s a slow cooker pork roast recipe that works fabulously with pork loin, shoulder and scotch fillet, for your slow cooker, pressure cooker or oven.
Easy enough for midweek yet impressive enough for company, this crock pot pork loin is going to rock your world!
I will do anything I can to try to convince you to try this, so let me say again:
THIS CROCK POT PORK LOIN WILL ROCK YOUR WORLD!!!
OK, I confess. I just like that it (kind of) rhymes and wanted to say it. Again. ?
I’m done with the fun – now down to business!
This is a recipe I created especially for pork loin, but I’ve found that it works just as well with pork shoulder so you’ll see photos of both throughout this post.
The beauty of this recipe is that it looks and tastes like a traditional oven roasted pork – but it’s made in the slow cooker. Entirely hands off cooking time, slow cooked to tender perfection and when you pull it out at the end, the sauce just needs a quick simmer to thicken while the pork rests.
ABOUT THIS SLOW COOKER PORK LOIN ROAST
I know there are quite a few types of slow cooker pork loins “out there” so let me tell you what you’re getting with this one.
It’s a spice rubbed pork loin that’s cooked until it’s tender but still sliceable like classic roasts.
It’s cooked partially submerged in a miracle 4 ingredient Honey Butter Garlic Sauce which infuses the pork with flavour, adds juiciness and transforms into an amazing syrupy sauce to serve the pork with. Pork loin is a lean cut of meat so it’s ideal to have a buttery strong flavoured sauce to serve it with!
You get bonus points for basting while it cooks, but even if you don’t, this is how the pork looks straight out of the slow cooker: golden and bronzed, glistening with that honey butter sauce!
TIPS FOR MAKING SLOW COOKER PORK ROAST
Slow cooker pork roast is actually very simple to make as long as you use the right cut of pork and follow a few key steps:
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Best pork for pork roast in a slow cooker – Though I originally created this recipe for pork loin, this recipe works brilliantly with pork loin, pork shoulder and scotch fillet roast (pork neck, a roasting cut of pork that’s popular in Australia and some parts of Europe, brilliant for fast and slow cooking). The first photo at the top is pork loin, the 2nd photo is shoulder;
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Slow cooking pork loin – Being a lean cut of pork, there’s only two ways to cook it: Hard and fast until the inside is at an exact temperature, like with traditional pork roasts, OR slowly at a lower temperature. Slow cooking is more forgiving because it’s done at a lower temperature so an hour or so too long isn’t going to ruin your pork;
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Pork Shoulder and Scotch Fillet – These cuts have more fat marbled through them so they are natural choices to use for slow cooker pork roasts. As they cook, the fat melts, making the meat beautifully juicy;
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Tenderloin – Not a natural choice for this recipe because it’s much thinner than the other cuts listed above so it cooks much faster than the cuts listed above. However, I have included directions in the recipe notes for how to make this with tenderloin;
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Season the pork for extra flavour with at least salt and pepper. I use a simple spice mix for this crock pot pork recipe;
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SEAR! Browning = flavour. Whether you brown the pork before or after slow cooking, don’t skip this step, it’s imperative for great flavour!
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How long to cook a pork roast in the slow cooker – for pork loin, 4 to 5 hours on low for tender, juicy perfection. Pork shoulder needs to be cooked for 10 hours on low for a 1.5 – 2.5kg / 3 – 5 lb pork roast. Shoulder is a tougher cut of pork so it requires a longer cook time to break down the fibres and fat.
SLOW COOKER PORK LOIN SPICE RUB & SAUCE
Here are the ingredients in this Slow Cooker Pork Loin sauce and spice rub. There’s not many!!!
THE SAUCE!
The Honey Butter Sauce for this Slow Cooker Pork Loin is made using the juices remaining in the slow cooker when the pork is cooked.
Straight out of the slow cooker, the flavour of the sauce is a bit thin so it needs to be reduced and I also like to thicken it a touch using cornflour to make it a syrupy thickness.
The Honey Butter Sauce truly is a miracle – it’s made with just cider vinegar, garlic and (hold onto your seats here…) BUTTER and HONEY!!
It’s ideal for serving with a Slow Cooker Pork Loin because it adds richness to an otherwise lean meat. Bonus: this recipe makes tons of sauce to smother your veggies and potatoes with it too!
What to do with leftovers?
Use it to make epic Bread Bowl Sandwich or Cubanos – Cuban Pork Sandwiches!
HOW I PREPARE AHEAD
This is one of those recipes that’s terrific for a midweek meal yet impressive enough for company. What I’ve been doing is preparing it the night before (searing the pork, making the sauce) then pouring it over the pork and leaving it in the removable insert of my slow cooker until the next morning.
Then I pop the insert into my slow cooker in the morning, leave the house for the day and come back to THIS ↓↓↓ Happy days!! – Nagi x
PS Pictured in post with a side of Garlic Sautéed Spinach and these Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes.
More slow cooker roast recipes
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast (with gravy!)
- Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Brisket
- Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
- Slow Cooker Roast Lamb Leg
Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast OR Pork Shoulder
Ingredients
- 1.75 - 2.5 kg / 3.5 - 5lb pork loin OR shoulder/boston butt ,or scotch fillet, skinless (Note 1)
- 1.5 tbsp olive oil , separated
Spice Rub:
- 2 tsp EACH paprika, thyme
- 1 tsp EACH garlic powder, onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper , optional
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp salt
Honey Butter Sauce:
- 3/4 cup honey
- 125g / 1/2 cup butter , unsalted
- 5 cloves garlic , minced
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt and pepper , each
Thickener:
- 3 tsp cornflour/cornstarch mixed with splash of water
Instructions
- Spice Rub: Rub pork with about 1 tsp oil. Mix Rub together then sprinkle over pork. Pat to adhere all over.
- Brown: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add pork and sear all around until deep golden brown (don't let spices burn). Place pork in slow cooker.
- Honey Butter Sauce: Wipe pan. Add butter and melt. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until golden. Add remaining Sauce ingredients, mix, simmer rapidly for 30 seconds.
Slow Cook:
- Pour Sauce over pork. Cover slow cooker.
- Pork loin - Cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours (see Note 2 for cook times for different sizes)
- Pork Shoulder - Cook on LOW for 10 hours (see Note 2 for cook times for different sizes, and Note 4 for oven, InstantPot and pressure cooker methods).
- Remove pork onto serving platter, cover loosely with foil (10 - 20 minutes rest). (See Note 6 on Doneness)
- Pour all juices in slow cooker into large saucepan. Add cornflour water mixture, mix.
- Thicken Sauce: Simmer on medium high for 5 minutes or until it reduces down to a syrupy consistency (Note 3).
- Slice pork into thick slices (1.5 - 2 cm / 3/5 - 4/5" thick). Serve with PLENTY of Honey Butter Sauce!
Recipe Notes:
1 kg / 2lb - Pork Loin 3.5 hours on low, Shoulder 8 hours on low
1.5 - 2.5kg / 3 - 5lb: Per recipe
3kg / 6lb: Pork Loin 6 hours on low, Shoulder 11 - 12 hours on low
Use times closest to your pork size. 3. Sauce reduction: Reduction time to thicken dependent on how much juice comes out of the pork. Go by eye - when sauce is thin maple syrup consistency, it's ready (will thicken bit more when it cools a bit) 4. Other cook methods: * Pressure Cooker - Pork shoulder 1 hour 20 minutes on HIGH. To save time, this is how I did the pork in the 2nd photo in post. Have not tried pork loin so am unsure of required time.
* Instant Pot - Brown pork in IP, remove, melt butter and make Sauce in IP, then add pork back in, spoon over sauce. Then either cook using Pressure Cooker time for shoulder, or Slow Cooker time for pork loin or shoulder. If you get the burn notice, add 1/2 cup water. Remove pork and make Sauce using sauté function.
* OVEN - See here for directions 5. MAKE AHEAD - Brown pork and make sauce up to 1 day ahead, pour into slow cooker then remove insert and refrigerate until ready to cook. If preparing ahead more than 12 hours or so, keep the sauce separate (because it will make the pork sweat). Leftovers - Keep in the fridge for 3 days, or freezer for 3 months. I pour the sauce over it, it soaks through the pork and I love it. 6. Pork Doneness - Loin is a lean cut of pork so it's cooked for a short period of time than shoulder. Pork shoulder needs to be cooked for longer to let the tough fibres break down. Shoulder is more prone to falling apart (ie semi shredding) when slicing so be sure to rest it per recipe directions to minimise this. 7. Nutrition - per serving, assuming a 2 kg/4lb pork loin and 8 servings with all sauce consumed (which is unlikely).
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
Dozer looking rather concerned as I pack for a trip to Vietnam…. he really hates the sight of a suitcase! Though the minute I drop him off at the golden retriever boarders’ place, he forgets all about me… (I like to think he’s being strong but crying on the inside…..)
E g says
I put this in st 8.30 , left the house for a few hours and have just read your recipe properly , I have forgotten to remove the fat from the pork shoulder!!
Nagi says
Hi Enza, once the pork has cooked, remove the pork and sauce from the pot. Pour the sauce in a jug and chill – you can then scoop the fat off ❤️
Donna says
I am not a blogger but I must say this was an easy to follow recipe and soooooo delicious . I had to adjust the recipe for a one pound pork loin but your recipe adjustments for all different kinds of cuts and sizes was great. Thank you. Awesome!!!
Nagi says
Thanks so much Donna, I’m so happy you liked it!
Amorena says
Hi Nagi! My husband just brought home 3 pounds of pork neck (we live in Italy where it is a popular cut) and I want to try your recipe. Should I cook it the same way as a pork shoulder? How long if not? Thank you! Ciao
Nagi says
Hi Amorena, yes, follow the directions for the pork shoulder. I hope you love it!!
Roxanna says
This was wonderful! I used a Boston butt and did it in my pressure cooker! Came out perfectly and the whole family loved it! Not a bite left!
Mimi says
Hi, I´d like to cook this over the weekend, and I´ve been wondering what kind of side dish woulg go with it. Thank you.
Nagi says
You could serve it with rice, roast potatoes, salad or even my magic broccoli! I hope you love it!
chris says
The pork loins that I buy have virtually no fat. I wonder if they would dry out, in a slow cooker?
Nagi says
Hi Chris, yes pork loin typically has very little fat – I have the cook times in the notes, it won’t dry out in the slow cooker ☺️
Patty says
Last note: as a fan, I used SMOKED Paprika – will continue to do that – added layer of flavor!
Nagi says
Great stuff Patty!
Patty Rech says
The only reason 4 instead of 5 is I was confused about cooking time per poundage; the way it’s written is confusing (to me). HOWEVER, I am already sharing the recipe with friends and fellow foodies and Moms in need of TIME saving! Thanks!
Nagi says
Hi Patty, sorry you found it confusing – if you head to note 4, just go off the weight you have and follow the directions for the appropriate cook time. I’m so happy you love the recipe enough to share it!
Patty Rech says
Hi Nagi – it is the formatting that confused me – once I realigned it in list format for pounds only it was clearer. And luckily I did read the note about loin cooking less time; I had 4.4lbs and cooked it 3.5 hours – til just slightly pink (the way we like it) and that way when the leftovers are warmed up, the meat doesn’t turn to cardboard, haha! Great recipe!
Gail D says
Going by the reviews (and the yummy pictures), I decided to make this Slow-Cooker Pork recipe.
(I have to say that I didn’t have enough honey on hand so I substituted pure maple syrup for about a third of the honey.)
This is by far the tastiest and tenderest pork loin that I have ever had! The sauce is so easy to make and it tastes amazing!
I can’t wait to make this again when company are coming for dinner!
This will be my Go-To Recipe for easy, delicious pork! Thank you for the recipe!!!
Nagi says
You’re so welcome Gail! I’m so happy you loved it and great to know that it works well with maple syrup too!! ❤️
Mary Ippolito says
Fabulous🎊
Nagi says
Thanks Mary!!
Frank says
This was easy,an maybe the best pork loin I ever ate.Thanks for sharing with us.
Nagi says
You’re so welcome, I’m so glad you loved it!
jill s says
just finished our pork roast dinner. it was one of the best meals ever .my 3 year old grandson just kept eating and eating. thank you for a most delicious easy dinner. more please
Nagi says
You’re so welcome!!
Tessa says
I know you’re never supposed to try a new recipe on company, but I couldn’t resist. Turned out amazing. Unfortunately, there were no leftovers! Thanks, Nagi!
Nagi says
Wahoo!
Nati says
I just cooked it following this amazing recipe.
Thanks a lot!!!!
Dad's the Cook says
Family loved it. The sauce was delicious, but almost too rich. This recipe is going into regular rotation! Thanks
Nagi says
Woohoo!!! Great stuff! If you found the sauce slightly too rich, you can always dilute a little with stock/water ❤️
Julie says
My family found this to be incredibly tasty. I left out the cayenne this time to convince kids to try it and it was amazing. Can’t wait to add a kick to it next time.
Nagi says
I’m so glad it was a hit! Thanks for the feedback Julie!
Julie says
Can you replace the cider vinegar with anything else? Or leave it out?
Nagi says
You could use white vinegar or rice wine vinegar as a substitute ☺️
Bob says
This was fantastic! I’ve never had pork with any gravy before. Sweet and delicious. Very easy to make too.
I like the way your recipes use common ingredients that I can buy at my local grocery store. Some recipes call for hard to find or expensive items that aren’t practical.
Nagi says
I’m so happy you loved it Bob!
Anita says
I made this yesterday- I used a pork loin roast- took about 6 hours- the pork was amazing-however, I didn’t like the flavor of the sauce, I don’t know if it was the garlic or the thyme, but it just wasn’t very good. I like both garlic and thyme but the combination with the honey just didn’t do it for me. I served it with my homemade BBQ sauce and it was great. Going to use it for pulled pork sandwiches for dinner !
Nagi says
Hi Anita, Sorry you didn’t like the sauce, but I’m glad you loved the pork itself!
Jessica says
Just made this and it came out great. My 4 lb pork loin took 4.5 hours on low. I followed the recipe exactly BUT I brined my roast overnight for maximum tenderness on this lean cut. It was spectacular… juicy as heck and so flavorful. I served it up on some kings Hawaiian buns with some bbq and the honey butter sauce for an excellent and easy meal.
Nagi says
Sounds to die for Jessica!!
Kayla says
I made this for Christmas (2018) and I thought it was going to be a bit dry as I left it in the slow cooker a bit too long.. but out of all the food (ham, chicken, salads) it was the only one that was all gone! Everybody commented how much they loved it!! It was a hit and for my first attempt, I did really well. Thanks so much for putting this recipe out there!! Xx