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This Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin is an easy, delicious dinner idea. The pork is seasoned with a simple mix of spices and then cooked in the crock pot with onions until it’s tender and juicy.

Sliced crock pot pork tenderloin on a serving platter garnished with fresh herbs.

Crock pot recipes are some of my favorites because you can’t beat the convenience of a make ahead dinner. My family loves this crock pot pork tenderloin because it’s tender, juicy and flavorful. I love it because it’s so easy! To make this recipe, you’ll first season the pork and brown it on the stove for maximum flavor. Then it finishes cooking in the slow cooker so that it’s ready to serve at dinner time. The ingredients are simple and the result is a comforting meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.

Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need just a few ingredients to make the best crock pot pork tenderloin.

Ingredients for crock pot pork tenderloin recipe.
  • Seasonings: For the seasoning rub, you’ll need brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt and pepper. This seasoning blend is a variation of our favorite Pork Rub and adds so much flavor to the pork tenderloin.
  • Pork Tenderloin: Often pork tenderloins come in a package with two tenderloins, which is perfect for this recipe. If you only want to cook one tenderloin, you can.
  • Onion: For additional flavor.
  • Olive Oil: You’ll need olive oil to brown the pork tenderloin and soften the onions in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker.

Pork Loin vs. Tenderloin

This recipe calls for pork tenderloin, which is different than a pork loin (sometimes called a pork roast). A pork tenderloin is long and thin, while a pork loin is larger and wider. Pork tenderloin is a favorite of ours because, as the name suggests, it is very tender after cooking.

Close up of sliced pork tenderloin in slow cooker.

How to Cook Pork Tenderloin in a Crock Pot

You will love how quick and easy this recipe is to prepare!

Combine the seasonings in a small bowl.

Pat the pork tenderloin dry and trim off any silver skin. Then rub the seasonings onto all sides of the meat.

Two raw pork tenderloins on a plate rubbed with seasonings.

Cook the sliced onions in a skillet on the stove for about 5 minutes, until softened and lightly browned. This step is important for developing flavor. Then transfer the onions to the slow cooker.

Cooking sliced onions in a skillet.

Add the pork to the skillet and sear on all sides until browned. Place the pork on top of the onions in the slow cooker.

Browning pork tenderloins in a cast iron skillet.

Cover and cook on low until the pork is cooked through. Then let the meat rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Browned pork tenderloins on top of onions in slow cooker.

How Long to Cook Pork Tenderloin in a Crock Pot

One pound pork tenderloins will take about 2-3 hours to cook on low in the slow cooker. Since pork tenderloins cook quickly, I recommend cooking on low, not high, so that there is less risk of the meat drying out. This recipe calls for cooking two (one pound each) pork tenderloins. If you are only cooking one tenderloin, it may cook a bit faster. The pork is done when the center registers 145° F on an instant read thermometer.

Do You Need to Add Liquid?

You do not need to add any liquid to the crock pot for this recipe. The pork will release moisture as it cooks. As you can see in the photos, there is some liquid in the crock pot after the pork cooks through. I like to serve these juices over the pork. You can also thicken them to make gravy, if desired.

Three slices of pork tenderloin with juices and onions, with green beans on the side.

What to Serve with Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin

After cooking the pork tenderloin in the crock pot, serve it with the juices and onions from the crock pot, along with a few simple side dishes for an easy, tasty meal.

Recipe Tips & Variations

  • Try not to overcook the pork tenderloin, so that it stays tender and juicy. Mine took 2-2.5 hours on low.
  • This recipe can be halved to cook just one pork tenderloin.
  • This recipe is delicious with apples added to it. SautĂ© them in the pan with the onions so that they start to soften before adding them to the slow cooker. Use a firm variety of apple, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. You can peel the apples or leave the skins on.
  • Leftover pork tenderloin can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it and serve with side dishes, or add BBQ sauce and serve on a burger bun for a delicious pork sandwich.
Two cooked pork tenderloins sliced in a crock pot.

More Pork Tenderloin Recipes

Pork tenderloin is one of our favorite cuts of meat because it’s lean, tender and flavorful. Here are a few more recipes you’ll love:

Love slow cooker meals? Try this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork next!

Sliced pork tenderloin on a serving platter with onions and fresh herbs.
4.94 from 15 ratings

Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin

Servings: 8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
This Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin is an easy, comforting dinner idea. The pork is seasoned with a simple mix of spices and then cooked in the crock pot with onions until it's tender and juicy.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 pork tenderloins, about 1 pound each
  • 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 yellow onion, sliced

Instructions
 

  • Combine the brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk or stir to combine.
  • Place the pork tenderloins on a plate or cutting board and pat dry with paper towels. Trim off any silver skin. Sprinkle the seasonings over all sides of the pork and gently rub into the meat.
  • Heat 2 teaspoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion to the pan and cook until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer onion to the slow cooker.
  • Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil to the pan. Add the seasoned pork tenderloins to the pan. Brown on all sides, about 2 minutes per side. Then transfer the pork to the slow cooker on top of the onions.
  • Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours, or until pork registers at least 145° F in the center when measured with an instant read thermometer.
  • Let pork rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Recipe can be halved to cook one pork tenderloin instead of two.
Calories: 170kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 27g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 82mg, Sodium: 367mg, Potassium: 542mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 154IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is an estimate.
Cuisine: American
Course: Main Course
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