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Asian Style Pork Tenderloin (Slow Cooker)
4.9 from 132 votes

Asian Style Pork Tenderloin (Slow Cooker)

This recipe for Asian Style Pork Tenderloin relies on a dry rub of warm spices including cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, applied to tender pork tenderloin and slow cooked for several hours. A thickened soy, brown sugar, and rice vinegar glaze is brushed on and broiled to finish, giving the meat a sticky, flavorful crust. The long, slow cooking creates tender pork that can stand up to the sweet and spiced glaze, making this an appealing main dish with a balance of savory depth and bright acidity.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
6 hrs 30 mins
Total Time
6 hrs 45 mins
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 274 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients

For the rub:
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon ginger powdered
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cloves powdered
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 2 pounds pork tenderloin
For the glaze:
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar or white
  • ½ cup water cold
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons ginger minced, fresh
  • cilantro to garnish, fresh
  • lime to garnish, wedges

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, salt, powdered ginger, cinnamon, garlic, cloves, black pepper, and crushed red pepper.
  2. Place the tenderloins in the slow cooker. Rub the seasonings over the pork, including the bottom.
  3. Pour ½ cup water in the slow cooker, on the edge or in the middle so that you don't wash off all the spices you just rubbed on.
  4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, then preheat your broiler.
  5. While the pork is finishing up in the slow cooker and your broiler heats up, combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, cornstarch, rice vinegar, COLD water, and soy sauce in a small saucepan.
  6. Set over medium heat and stir until mixture thickens, about 4 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in minced ginger.
  8. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick spray.
  9. Remove the pork from the crock pot (discard the liquid) and place on the lined baking sheet. Brush a generous amount of the glaze on the pork.
  10. Put your oven rack as high as it will go, and broil the pork for 1 or 2 minutes, until bubbly and caramelized. Don't walk away! Repeat 2 to 3 more times until it is as crusty as you want it. I wouldn't go many more times than this though, or your pork will dry out.
  11. Serve with remaining glaze on the side, and garnish with lime and cilantro. I love to serve this pork with Asian Cauliflower "Rice."

Notes

  • If short on time, cook the pork tenderloin by a faster method for about 30 minutes before broiling with the glaze.
  • Broil the pork after slow cooking to caramelize the glaze and develop a sticky coating.
  • Serve with fresh cilantro and lime wedges to balance the sweet and spiced flavors.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1plate Calories 274kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 32g (64%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Monounsaturated Fat 2g (10%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 98mg (33%) Potassium 653mg (14%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 20g (40%) Vitamin A 54IU (1%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 33mg (3%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 274

% Daily Value*

Serving 1plate
Calories 274kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 32g 64%
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 98mg 33%
Potassium 653mg 14%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 20g 40%
Vitamin A 54IU 1%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 33mg 3%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.