• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

RecipeTin Eats

Fast Prep, Big Flavours

  • My RecipeTin
  • Recipes
  • Recipes By Category
    • Mains
      • Chicken
        • Chicken mince
      • Beef Recipes
        • Ground Beef (Mince)
      • Pork
      • Lamb
      • Turkey
      • Shrimp / Prawns
      • Salmon
      • Fish
      • Salad Meals
    • Soups
    • One Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Sides
      • All
      • Vegetables
      • Show Off Salads
      • Rice
      • Potato
    • Pasta
      • All
      • Pasta bakes
      • Pasta salads
    • Sweet
      • Cake recipes
      • Cupcakes & Muffins
      • Cookies
      • Puddings & Cosy Desserts
      • Bite Size
      • Pies
      • Slices & Bars
      • Frosting & Icing
    • Cuisine
      • Asian
        • All
        • Stir fries
        • Noodles
        • Soups
        • Chinese
        • Japanese
        • Thai
        • Vietnamese
      • French
      • Greek
      • Indian
      • Italian
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican
      • Middle Eastern
      • South American
    • Dietary
      • Gluten Free
      • Low Calorie
      • Vegetarian
    • Other Categories
      • BBQ
      • Breakfast
      • Burgers
      • Cocktails
      • Party Foods
      • Rice Recipes
      • Roasts
      • Sandwiches & Sliders
  • ✨Party✨
  • Collections
  • About
    • Me
    • Free Recipe Books
    • Contact
    • eBooks
      • The Food Photography Book
      • Chicken Wings Cookbook
    • Food Bloggers Central
    • Nitty Gritty
      • Policy: Use of Recipes & Images
      • Privacy & Disclosure
Home Slow Cooker Recipes

Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast

By:Nagi
Published:28 Sep '18Updated:28 Nov '20
653 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

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!

Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast in a white dish, ready to be served

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.

Slices of Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast with Honey Butter sauce

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!

Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast in a crock pot with a spoon drizzling honey butter sauce over it

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:

  • 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;
  • 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;
  • 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;
  • 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;
  • Season the pork for extra flavour with at least salt and pepper. I use a simple spice mix for this crock pot pork recipe;
  • SEAR! Browning = flavour. Whether you brown the pork before or after slow cooking, don’t skip this step, it’s imperative for great flavour!
  • 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.

How to make Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast

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!!!

Slow Cooker Pork Loin sauce and spice rub

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!

Slices of Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast on a plate with wilted spinach and roast potatoes

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

Close up of Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast with Honey Butter sauce drizzled over it

Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT

Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.

Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast in a white dish, ready to be served

Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast OR Pork Shoulder

Author: Nagi
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 10 hrs
Total: 10 hrs 10 mins
Mains, Slow Cooker
Western
4.95 from 153 votes
Servings8
Tap or hover to scale
Print
Recipe video above. Pork loin OR shoulder slow cooked in an incredible Honey Butter sauce! I love the way the pork soaks up the flavour of the sauce - and how it only requires 5 ingredients!

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. Pork cuts: recipe is ideal made with pork loin, shoulder / Boston butt (boneless) or scotch fillet/neck, these are the 3 cuts I've make this recipe with. This is a highly flexible recipe that is ideal for any roast-size cut of pork, lean or well marbled. 
Needs to be made with skinless pork, trimmed of excess fat (don't want loads of surface fat melting into braising liquid which becomes the sauce).
Pork Tenderloin - see directions here.
2. Different pork sizes:
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:

Calories: 561cal (28%)Carbohydrates: 28g (9%)Protein: 56g (112%)Fat: 23g (35%)Saturated Fat: 11g (69%)Cholesterol: 198mg (66%)Sodium: 853mg (37%)Potassium: 1014mg (29%)Sugar: 26g (29%)Vitamin A: 730IU (15%)Vitamin C: 1.1mg (1%)Calcium: 23mg (2%)Iron: 1.6mg (9%)
Keywords: Slow Cooker Pork Loin, Slow Cooker Pork Roast
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

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…..)

Dozer the golden retriever dog concerned at the sight of a suitcase

Previous Post
Cornbread Muffins
Next Post
Wonton Soup

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Related Posts

Beef Ribs in barbecue sauce on a plate with coleslaw and corn

Beef Ribs in BBQ Sauce – slow cooked short ribs!

Close up of Irish Beef Guinness Stew in a pot, fresh off the stove

Irish Beef and Guinness Stew

Close up photo of Vegetable Beef Soup with tender, slow cooked beef

Vegetable Beef Soup (Fall apart beef!)

More Slow Cooker Recipes

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cooked this? Rate this recipe!




653 Comments

  1. Jane says

    March 6, 2019 at 2:59 am

    5 stars
    Thank you! The spice rub contained ingredients I have in a “Ras-El-Hanout” blend I keep on-hand so, I used my own blend with your honey-butter sauce…AMAZING! My husband said I could make this again, and again, any time! Thank you so much.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      March 6, 2019 at 2:56 pm

      That’s awesome Jane!

      Reply
  2. Lesley says

    March 4, 2019 at 1:55 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Nagi – I made this tonight for my family, using a boneless pork butt roast. It was fabulous & we all loved it. The rub, but most especially the sauce, makes this outstanding. Many thanks for a great recipe.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      March 4, 2019 at 7:52 pm

      You’re so welcome Lesley, thanks so much for the feedback ❤️

      Reply
  3. Maria Elena says

    March 2, 2019 at 3:57 pm

    Excellent recipe both in taste and explanations. I have become a fan.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      March 4, 2019 at 2:19 pm

      Awesome, thanks so much Maria!

      Reply
  4. Talina says

    March 1, 2019 at 10:42 am

    5 stars
    I made this in the slow cooker for about 4 hoursand oh man is it yummy! It was so tender and flavorful. The whole family enjoyed it. I will definitely be making this again!

    Reply
  5. Alena says

    March 1, 2019 at 1:33 am

    5 stars
    After I had this in the slow cooker i was reading the comments and realized i messed up and used ground thyme instead of thyme leaves! I thought it was going to be a fail but it still turned out amazing! The whole family loved it and there were no leftovers! Will definitely be making again, i love your recipes! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      March 1, 2019 at 10:07 am

      That’s so great to hear Alena ❤️

      Reply
  6. toby says

    February 27, 2019 at 7:41 pm

    Should I take the fat off rolled shoulder before I cook it.My sauce would not reduce because too much oil.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 28, 2019 at 8:59 pm

      Hi Toby, yes I tend to trim away any excess fat so it doesn’t make the sauce greasy – N x

      Reply
  7. Rebecca Donovan says

    February 23, 2019 at 12:54 pm

    4 stars
    Hi Nagi, I made this pork loin last night and the taste was great, such a lovely sauce. Only, it was not as tender as I would have liked. Followed the 5 hours for 1.5kg piece of loin slow cooker set to low, but as another reader also experienced, this did not leave the meat as tender as I would have hoped for. Do you suggest cooking on high for some of the cooking time, or should I just extend the low setting to cook for another hour or so. I would appreciate your thoughts. Rebecca.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 23, 2019 at 1:42 pm

      Hi Rebecca, I’m sorry to hear that it wasn’t as you’d hoped. I would just extend the low cooking time another hour and test – N x

      Reply
  8. Pam Faughn says

    February 21, 2019 at 2:36 pm

    I fixed the pork loin tonight !! It was Awesome definitely a keeper!! All 8 people that eat it loved it!!! Thanks for recipe just wish I had taken a picture!!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 22, 2019 at 10:54 am

      Sounds like you nailed it Pam ❤️

      Reply
  9. tracy says

    February 21, 2019 at 8:49 am

    Can I freeze this and the gravy?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 21, 2019 at 2:12 pm

      Hi Tracy, I don’t see why not! – N x

      Reply
  10. EJC says

    February 21, 2019 at 5:34 am

    5 stars
    I am giving you 5 stars just for your recipe. I printed this recipe for use in the near future. But in reviewing the recipe I love all the additional info. 3 different cuts work for this recipe and you give additional info on each. You include details on cooking methods, doneness, leftovers, etc. I love all the info right there, I don’t need to search for it or guess! If all your recipes are documented like this you have a new fan. Thank You!! PS I never leave comments or rate things. This is a new day!! LOL

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 21, 2019 at 1:10 pm

      Thanks so much for taking the time to leave such great feedback, I really appreciate it. Don’t forget to update me once you try it, I’d love to know what you think!

      Reply
  11. RW says

    February 20, 2019 at 1:37 pm

    5 stars
    Oh boy! We had this tonight for dinner and DH was raving. Delicious and easy. I served it with cheesy polenta and braised brussel sprouts. It’s a keeper! Thank you for sharing this with us.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 20, 2019 at 8:59 pm

      Sounds fabulous!

      Reply
  12. Shannon says

    February 19, 2019 at 5:40 am

    This is my third comment lol but I have the pork shoulder in the slow cooker now and bc if it’s shape it is not submerged in the juices. Is this ok? Should I add more liquid somehow?

    Reply
  13. Shannon says

    February 19, 2019 at 12:55 am

    Hi! Love this recipe! I just wanted to say for everyone out there that you really don’t have to pour everything back into a sauce pan just to thicken it. All you have to do is add your corn starch to some cold water and pour it into the sauce mixture while it’s still in the crockpot and mix it. It’ll save you some dishes and some headaches .

    Reply
  14. Brenda says

    February 18, 2019 at 1:47 pm

    4 stars
    Very good, loved the sauce. I cooked in slow cooker, 3 lb pork loin and 4-5 hours on low was not enough. I would do 8-9 on low or 4-5 on high.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 18, 2019 at 6:15 pm

      Hi Brenda, must be the type of slow cooker – I’ve tested this weight and 5 hours was perfect. I’m glad you loved it anyway ❤️

      Reply
  15. Tabitha Holloman says

    February 18, 2019 at 1:23 am

    Is that ground thyme or thyme leaves?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 18, 2019 at 7:40 am

      Thyme leaves – N x

      Reply
  16. Jean Martel says

    February 15, 2019 at 5:22 am

    why do I have to print 17 pages to get this recipe? A great waste of paper.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 15, 2019 at 7:43 am

      Hi Jean, if you click the print button in the recipe card it will print the recipe and not the whole webpage ❤️

      Reply
  17. Carol says

    February 14, 2019 at 1:52 pm

    5 stars
    This was delicious! Even my daughter who usually only likes chicken gave it two thumbs up. I used a boneless pork shoulder roast in the Instant Pot. It came out juicy and tender. I made a bonehead move though. I saw all the fat on top when it was done, skimmed it off then realized it was the butter I had just gotten rid of. The end product was delicious anyway. It thickened nicely and only needed a bit more salt to finish it up. Thanks for a new way to prepare pork!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 14, 2019 at 7:16 pm

      I’m so happy you loved it Carol & getting your daughter to eat it – well that’s a win!

      Reply
      • Carol says

        February 15, 2019 at 8:58 am

        If I use a pork loin roast next time, is it worth brining first? I detest dry meat 😬

        Reply
        • Nagi says

          February 15, 2019 at 7:08 pm

          Hi Carol, I used pork loin without brining and it wasn’t dry at all – N x

          Reply
  18. Caroline says

    February 12, 2019 at 10:13 pm

    5 stars
    Lovely! Loads of sauce left over, frozen for next time.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 13, 2019 at 10:33 am

      Perfect!

      Reply
  19. Nick says

    February 12, 2019 at 1:17 am

    5 stars
    Hi
    Further to my comments yesterday, I cooked this as per recipe for 800 grams of boned and rolled shoulder. Absolutely divine.
    Certainly going to cook again – soon.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 12, 2019 at 6:48 am

      Terrific Nick ❤️

      Reply
  20. Ron Collins says

    February 11, 2019 at 9:44 am

    5 stars
    Followed the recipe exactly for a 3 lb loin. Turned out perfect and delicious. A definite keeper, The sauce is exquisite.

    Reply
Older Comments
Newer Comments

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Meet Dozer

Official taste tester of RecipeTin Eats! Meet Dozer
As Featured On

What's for Dinner?

Close up of beef enchiladas in a baking dish, fresh out of the oven

Beef Enchiladas

Butter Chicken served over basmati rice in a bowl, ready to be served

Butter Chicken

Overhead photo of 2 black bowls with Chinese Chicken Salad with Asian Dressing, ready to be eaten

Chinese Chicken Salad

Salisbury Steak recipe in skillet.

Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy

Vietnamese Coconut Caramel Chicken - 7 ingredient magic. The coconut fragrance is heavenly! recipetineats.com

Vietnamese Coconut Caramel Chicken

Fast prep. Big flavours!

Never miss a recipe

Back to Top
  • Related
  • RecipeTin Japan
  • Food Bloggers Center
  • Help
  • Contact Us
  • Image Use
  • Privacy Policy & Terms
Site Credits Developed by Zao © RecipeTin Eats 2021 · All Rights Reserved Back to Top