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4.8 from 885 votes

Sweet Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin {Slow Cooker + Instant Pot}

Balanced, flavorful, and enjoyable—this recipe has it all.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
8 hrs 15 mins
Total Time
8 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 8 Servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Pork:
  • 2 to 3 to 3 pounds boneless pork loin or pork sirloin roast trimmed of large fat pockets
  • 1 teaspoon ground sage or poultry seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced or crushed
  • ½ cup water or chicken broth
Glaze:
  • ½ cup brown sugar light or dark
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a small bowl, combine the sage, salt, pepper and garlic. Rub the spices all over the roast.
  2. For the slow cooker: place the pork roast in the slow cooker and add the 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  3. For the Instant Pot/Pressure cooker: place the pork roast in the insert of the Instant Pot or other pressure cooker. Increase the water or broth to 1 cup and add to the Instant Pot. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes (hit manual --> dial up or down to 60 minutes --> Instant Pot will start automatically and count down the time). Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes before quickly releasing the rest of the pressure.
  4. Near the end of cooking time (for either slow cooker or pressure cooker), whisk together all the ingredients for the glaze in a small saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the glaze thickens, 2-3 minutes. Season to taste with a pinch of salt and pepper, if needed/desired. Keep warm until ready to use.
  5. Remove the pork from the slow cooker or Instant Pot. Shred the meat into pieces and place on a platter or plate. Drizzle the glaze over the pork and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Spices: sometimes I use 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder if I'm out of fresh garlic; I also will sometimes cut the ground sage back to 1/2 teaspoon (just a personal preference as we've made this over the last 5+ years). 
  • Pork: in addition to the pork cuts listed below, a lot of you (via the comment section) have had good success using pork tenderloin. I most often use a pork sirloin roast (Costco sells a 4-pack); it seems to be a bit more tender than a pork loin, which can be very lean. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Serving Calories 292kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 16g (5%) Protein 39g (78%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Cholesterol 107mg (36%) Sodium 540mg (23%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 15g (30%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 Serving
Calories 292kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 16g 5%
Protein 39g 78%
Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 107mg 36%
Sodium 540mg 23%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 15g 30%

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