Pulled Pork Tenderloin Slow Cooker Root Beer

How to Make Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker Sandwich

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Have you ever wondered how to make a pork tenderloin in the slow cooker? It is easier than you think and can be used in a variety of ways from traditional sliced tenderloin to rice bowls to making pulled pork for sandwiches. The pulled pork works perfectly on game day or a tailgate this football season.

How to Make Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker Sandwich

HOW TO MAKE A PORK TENDERLOIN IN THE SLOW COOKER

Pork tenderloin is a great meal choice if you are feeding your family on busy nights.

You can use the pork tenderloin in a variety of ways, from slicing the pork tenderloin and serving it with veggies or with potatoes, like these Simple Garlic Parmesan Green Beans and Gouda Mashed Potatoes, to serving pulled bbq pork on sandwiches for game day with a side of roasted buffalo cauliflower.

Ohio Pork and I are teaming up to teach you How to Cook Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker. As you probably know, the crockpot can make your life so much easier when it comes to cooking and meal prep.

I also love making this Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder Roast Recipe if my family is craving pork.

You can put your meal in the slow cooker and go about your day.

When you return from work or running errands you have a warm, delicious meal waiting for you.

My family loves pulled pork, so pork tenderloin is my go-to cut of pork that I buy to make these pulled pork bbq sandwiches during the week.

How to Make Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker Shredded Pork

I also love using the leftover pulled pork for other meals throughout the week, including nachos, quesadillas, tacos or rice bowls.

Freezing your pulled pork tenderloin is a great option for those extra busy nights when you forgot to plan dinner ahead of time.

HOW DO YOU COOK PORK TENDERLOIN IN THE CROCK POT?

When you are at the store you will want to find about 2-3 pounds of pork tenderloin. Sometimes that means you have to buy two pork tenderloins that equals 2 to 3 pounds and sometimes you can find a two pack of tenderloins. Either way I think 2 to 3 ponds gives you a good amount of pork to feed your family and have some leftovers to freeze.
When you are ready to make your pork tenderloin trim the silver skin off of the loin.
Next you will want to mix together your rub in a small mixing bowl and then use your hands to rub it on both sides of the pork tenderloin.
Place the tenderloin in the slow cooker and add the sweet onion and 1 1/2 cups of your favorite bbq sauce {save the rest to add to the slow cooker at the end}.
Set your slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours hours, or until the thermometer reads an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Once it is done cooking use two forks to shred the pork and return it to the crockpot. Add the remaining barbecue sauce and give it a good stir.

How to Make Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker Tenderloins

WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD CROCK POT PORK TENDERLOIN COOK TO?

When cooking pork tenderloin you want to see that blush of pink inside the pork or reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.

I know a lot of people still think that pork should be cooked until all of the pink is gone, but the FDA recommends a blush of pink as safe.

HOW CAN I USE PULLED PORK TENDERLOIN?

RICE BOWLS: Add it to rice bowls with your favorite toppings. One of my favorite combinations is black beans, pico de gallo, shredded cheese and avocado along with the pulled pork. You can see an example of a pork rice bowl in this Slow Cooker Cuban Rice Bowl post.
MEXICAN FOOD: Use it as a filling to your favorite taco, quesadillas or in place of chicken in these cheesy chicken enchiladas.
GAME DAY: When game day comes around set out a slow cooker filled with the pulled pork and keep it set to warm. Your guests can use slider or regular buns to create a tasty sandwich with BBQ sauce. You can easily sub this pulled pork into these Beef Nachos.

slow cooker pork tenderloin on a bun with chives

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PORK LOIN AND A PORK TENDERLOIN?

Pork loin and pork tenderloin are two different cuts of pork and come from different parts of the animal. I talk about How to Cook Pork Loin in the Slow Cooker in this post.

They also look different- pork tenderloin is thinner and smaller than pork loin. Pork loin is wider and much bigger.

A pork loin can weigh up to 5 pounds while tenderloins are usually around 1 to 2 pounds.

Cooking a pork tenderloin in the crockpot will require less cook time than pork loin.

You might be wondering how long to cook pork loin in the crockpot or how long to cook pork tenderloin in the slow cooker?

When I make pork tenderloin in the slow cooker it usually is done cooking at about the 6 hour mark on low.

For pork loin it can take 8 to 10 hours on low depending on the size of the cut or pork.

How to Make Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker in bowl with fork

WHY SHOULD I SEAR THE PORK TENDERLOIN?

When it comes to pork or beef it helps develop the flavor of the meat when you sear it first in a large skillet until all sides are browned before putting it in the crockpot.

It is not something you have to do but I do think it really helps bring out the spices and flavor in the meat.

MORE PORK RECIPES YOU WILL LIKE:

EASY SLOW COOKER PORK CARNITAS:Spice up taco night with these Easy Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas. The flavors are rich and the perfect addition to your next meal. This shredded pork also works great in quesadillas, on salads or in rice bowls.

SLOW COOKER SHREDDED PORK TACOS: Slow Cooker Shredded Pork Tacos are a simple slow cooker meal that gives you tender, flavorful pork to fill your tacos, quesadillas, tortillas or top on salads. This pork will freeze well for later too!

EASY THAI PORK STIR-FRY: Easy Thai Pork Stir-Fry is a quick meal packed with your favorite Thai flavors. Ground pork is sautéed along with bell peppers, carrots and bok choy along with a sauce that is both spicy and sweet. This stir-fry works nicely with rice, noodles or in lettuce wraps.

Ingredients

For the rub:

1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

For the pork:

2 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin
1/4 of a sweet onion, diced
1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce

Instructions

In a small mixing bowl combine the paprika, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper and mix well.

Remove the silver skin from the pork tenderloin and place the pork tenderloin on a large cutting board. Using your hands rub the spice mixture on both sides of the pork and place the pork in the slow cooker.

Optional: Heat a large skillet over meidum-high heat and add 1 Tablepspoon olive oil. Sear all sides of the pork tenderloin until browned. This helps develop the flavor.

Add the onion and 1 1/2 cups of BBQ sauce to the slow cooker, covering the pork.

Cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the thermometer reads an internal temperature of 145 degrees F or on high for 2-3 hours.

You can slice the tenderloin and serve with your favorite side dish or use two forks shred the pork and mix with the juices in the slow cooker. Add the remaining BBQ sauce and mix well.

Serve the pulled pork on buns or in rice bowls.

Notes

Another option with this tenderloin is to slice it and serve it with your favorite side dishes like mashed potatoes and green beans.

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Thanks to Ohio Pork for sponsoring today's post. As always, opinions are 100% my own. I am excited to be partnering with them this year to share more about pork and provide delicious, easy recipes for you to try!

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