Tender Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin Slow Cooker Recipe Easy 4-Step Meal
A simple and flavorful slow cooker pork tenderloin recipe with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce that results in tender, juicy meat with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 to 6 hours on low or 2.5 to 3 hours on high
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes (low) or 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 to 2 pounds pork tenderloin, trimmed of excess fat
- 1/4 cup honey (85g)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (60ml), low sodium preferred
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (30ml)
- 1/4 cup water (60ml)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, freshly cracked
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- Optional: 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water (for thickening sauce)
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or splash of sriracha (for spice)
- Optional: tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for gluten-free option
Instructions
- Trim and pat dry the pork tenderloin, removing any silver skin or excess fat. This should take about 5 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, water, and freshly cracked black pepper until well combined.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork tenderloin on all sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer the pork to the slow cooker.
- Pour the honey garlic sauce over the pork, ensuring it is evenly coated. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2.5-3 hours until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Optional: Remove pork from slow cooker and tent with foil to rest. Mix cornstarch with water and stir into the sauce in the slow cooker. Cook uncovered on high for 10 minutes until thickened.
- Slice the pork into 1/2-inch (1.3 cm) slices and spoon the thickened honey garlic sauce over the top. Serve warm.
Notes
Searing the pork before slow cooking adds caramelized flavor and better texture. Use fresh garlic for best aroma and taste. Add cornstarch slurry at the end to thicken the sauce for a glaze-like finish. Adjust cooking time if your slow cooker runs hot. Add vegetables like carrots or potatoes in the last 2-3 hours for a one-pot meal. Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/4 of
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Protein: 35
Keywords: honey garlic pork tenderloin, slow cooker pork, easy pork recipe, honey garlic sauce, slow cooker dinner, tender pork, weeknight meal