Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Loin
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Total Time
6 hrs 11 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
396 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Loin
Description
This Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Loin recipe calls for seasoning and browning the pork loin to lock in juices. The pork is then slow-cooked on low with minced garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, and pineapple chunks including their juice. The natural acids in the pineapple help break down muscle fibers, tenderizing the meat during the long cooking process.
The pork can be cooked for 6 hours to retain sliceable texture, or longer (8-10 hours) for a fall-apart shredded consistency, with periodic moistening from the cooking juices. The mix of sweet pineapple, savory soy, and rich garlic gives a balanced flavor profile with a gentle sweetness.
After cooking, resting the pork for 10-15 minutes allows juices to redistribute for a moister slice. The dish pairs well with simple sides and can be served as sliced pork loin or shredded for sandwiches or tacos.
Tips include avoiding high heat in the slow cooker to maintain tenderness, using pork loin (not tenderloin), and optional marinating up to 24 hours before cooking for added flavor. A meat thermometer is advised to remove the pork at 135°F as it will continue cooking while resting to a safe 145°F internal temperature.
Ingredients
- 2-3 lb pork loin trimmed of excess fat
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- salt
- black pepper
- 8 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 23.5 ounces pineapple chunks can with juice
Instructions
- Trim pork loin of excess fat and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add oil. Once the oil is hot, add the pork loin and brown it on each side for 2-4 minutes or until golden.
- Add the pork to the slow cooker and rub with garlic. Add soy sauce and pineapple chunks with pineapple juice to the slow cooker. Distribute the brown sugar evenly over the top of the pork.
- Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours for a soft pork loin that can still be sliced.
- If you want extra soft pork to make shredded pineapple pork, cook it on low for 8-10 hours, lifting the lid a few times and using a ladle to pour the juices over the pork to keep it moist. After you shred the pork, add it to the slow cooker and cook it on low for another hour.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Remove pork from slow cooker at 135°F internal temperature; it will reach 145°F while resting.
- Sear pork before slow cooking to seal in juices and improve flavor.
- Cook on low to allow pineapple juice to tenderize meat properly; avoid high heat cooking.
- Let pork rest under foil for 10-15 minutes before slicing to reabsorb juices.
- Pork loin is recommended, not pork tenderloin, for best texture.
- Marinate pork up to 24 hours before cooking for more depth of flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 396 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0g | |
| Calories | 396kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 36g | 12% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 95mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 620mg | 26% |
| Potassium | 753mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 34g | 68% |
| Vitamin A | 60IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 10.9mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 43mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1.5mg | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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