Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin is tender and juicy and very easy to make! This slow cooker pork tenderloin has a combination of spices added to barbecue sauce and requires very little prep.
It’s one of those easy, no muss, no fuss recipes that everyone loves and it’s great served over homemade mashed potatoes or baked rice (or even brown rice)!
Pork Tenderloin vs. Pork Loin
Pork loin and pork tenderloin are two different cuts of meat and cannot be used interchangeably so be sure you’re using pork tenderloin for this recipe.
Both cuts are lean and and I most often make roast pork tenderloin as it doesn’t take all that long. I love this recipe when I’m going to be out of the house, the perfect meal to come home to.
- Pork Tenderloin is thin and about 1 foot long. Each tenderloin will weigh about 1lb.
- Pork Loin is thicker and looks more like a roast with a fat cap on the top. It will weigh closer to 3-4 lbs. (Pork loin recipe here).
How to Make Crockpot Pork Tenderloin
When I said easy, I meant easy! There are only two steps for this recipe.
- Whisk the sauce ingredients together.
- Pour it over the tenderloin and walk away! To save a dish, you could even whisk the ingredients right in the Crock Pot, then add the pork and roll it in the sauce!
Oh, wait. Don’t forget to turn your Crock Pot on! Seriously, that’s really all there is to it.
NOTE: Pork tenderloin is a lean cut of meat and can dry out if overcooked. Check the temperature with a meat thermometer and remove from the slow cooker at 145°F. Rest 10 minutes before cutting.
How Long Does Pork Tenderloin Take in the Crock Pot?
Depending on the size, cooked on the “high” setting it should take about 2 to 2 1/2 hours, start to finish. You will want to test the internal temperature to make sure it is at least 145°F. This pork tenderloin is fall-apart tender and juicy from cooking in the juices from the sauce! Yum!
What to Serve with Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin
Pork always tastes great with sweet potatoes but on a weeknight, it’s great over a crusty bun with a quick and easy kale salad on the side.
With the spices in this recipe, my all-time favorite is to have it with a side of Mexican corn and delicious potato packets.
What To Do With Leftovers
Now here’s a problem you won’t mind having…if you even have any leftovers!
- In the Fridge: When stored in an airtight container or zippered bag, it can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- In the Freezer: Just like in the fridge, store in an airtight container or freezer bag! It can be frozen for up to three months.
- To Thaw: Defrost in the fridge, and reheat slowly on the stovetop, or in the microwave in 80-second intervals.
Recooked meat gets tough, so be careful not to cook it again during the heating process… but definitely do get it piping hot!
Crock Pot Pork tenderloin
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork tenderloin about two 1 pound tenderloins
- 2 cups barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard or Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Add pork tenderloin to a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Combine bbq sauce, mustard, chili powder, and kosher salt (and any other spices you'd like, see notes).
- Pour bbq sauce mixture over the pork tenderloin and add the lid to the slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 2- 2 ½ hours or low for 4 hours, until the pork tenderloin reaches 145°F.
- Remove from the slow cooker and rest 10 minutes. Slice and serve with sauce.
Notes
- ½ teaspoon oregano (adds an herbal note)
- ¼ teaspoon cumin (adds a nutty flavor)
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (adds a smoky flavor)
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder or a pinch of cayenne (adds some heat/spice)
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Tasty Crockpot Pork Recipes
- Dr. Pepper Crock Pot Pulled Pork – perfect to feed a crowd!
- Crock Pot Pork Chops – one of our all-time favorites
- Crock Pot Ham – great holiday recipe!
- Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas – succulent & meaty!
- Easy Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup – a cold-weather staple
Glad I read comments. Done in 3 hours. But I truly believe it’s the slow cooker you use. Very good though.
I gave this recipe 3 stars for the taste, but 0 for the cooking instructions. I followed the instructions for cooking in the crock pot, but set my timer for 3 hours, 30 minutes because I know that some slow cookers cook hotter on the low setting. Mine does not.
I checked the temperature of the tenderloins at 2 hours, and it was fully cooked (over 145 degrees) in that time, not the 4 hours as instructed.
It tasted OK, but if I had followed the instructions exactly, the port tenderloins would have turned into shoe leather.
If left to cook longer, the pork will become tender (similar to how if you’re cooking a pot roast or ribs, it will cook and seem like the meat is tough, it will need MORE time to become tender). The method of this recipe provides a different texture than our usual pork tenderloin which cooks to medium in about 20 minutes. I hope that helps.
I made this and it was a big hit. Delicious!
Can I cook chicken breasts in this sauce?
How long would I cook the chicken?
I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure, but I think chicken would be delicious in this sauce Toni! I would cook on low for 3-4 hours, or on high for 2 hours, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F degrees. Let us know how it goes if you try it!
Made this last night and the family ate it all! Zero leftovers. I agree with other reviews that the cook time was a bit too long (low for 4 hours in a brand new 6 quart crock pot). I’m not even mad because we switched it up and had “pulled pork” sliders instead. I used regular bbq sauce. Will make again!
Yummy! I’m glad you enjoyed this pork Amy!
I was hesitant to make this because I’m really not a big fan of BBQ sauce.
I was pinched for time so I thought I’d give it a try.
Followed recipe exactly. I used a part bottle of honey bbq and a small bottle of generic bbq sauce to make 2cups.
Also added from suggestions smoked paprika and ground ancho pepper (that’s what I had on hand)
Poured over pork loin and then realized the recipe was for pork tenderloin. Uh oh!
Turned crockpot to high for about 2 1/2 hrs then low for about 1 1/2
Was absolutely delicious!!
Served with mashed potatoes and some fresh asparagus.
Will make again!!
Thanks for sharing your tips, Ren!
Can you use lean pork chops that are already sliced with this recipe
Hi Elizabeth, you would need to adjust the cook time but it would still taste delicious!
I have a 1.5 pork tenderloin I want to crock pot. What is temp and time for this small of loin?
Tks
Hi Carolynn, It should be a similar cook time but I would check your pork tenderloin about 90 minutes into cooking (on high) with a meat thermometer and gauge how long you will need to cook it from there. Hope that helps!
Another winner recipe and thank you holly. So simple and good and made great pulled pork sandwiches with the leftover pork the next day.
You’re very welcome Sherry! So happy to hear how much you love this pork tenderloin. And a yummy use of leftovers!
Made the slow cooker pork tenderloin just as the recipe says and it was sooooo good.
Thank you so much for this easy peasy “ what do i do with it “ recipe. had it sliced with the sauce and made potato salad and baked beans to go with it and now i dont have to cook today other than shred the left over pork to put on buns. Thank you once again Holly for another winner recipe.
So happy to hear that, Sherry. We especially love when recipes let us take the next night “off” from cooking!
Great recipe. Made it for Easter dinner with roasted. The the pork fell apart but it worked out because we made sliders with the Hawaiian rolls. Maybe next time I’ll shorten the cook time because I did leave it for an extra hour.
So happy you loved this recipe, Andrea! And that sounds like a delicious way to serve this tenderloin.
What style of BBQ sauce do you think goes best with this? There’s going to be a big difference in taste depending on which one I choose. I was thinking maybe Carolina since it’s already somewhat mustardy and goes well with pork. But a sweet KC style might be good too. What experiences have others had with various styles of sauce?
We often just use whatever we have on hand. But both of those options sound great to me, Dnett! Maybe other readers have some suggestions on their favorites to add.
Can you double this recipe?
Do I have to double the cook time then?
I was going to make it in my instant pot using the slow cook function for 4 hours
The recipe can be doubled and should be cooked for about 4 hours on low, or until the pork reaches 145F. I’d suggest that you check the temperature of the meat after 4 hours.
I had one tenderloin weighing a little over a pound. Cooked on low for an hour and half and then high for an hour and it turned out very tender and moist.
So happy to hear that, Julie!
Has anyone tried this starting with meat that is frozen?
Glad I read the reviews and decided to check on the meat… my tenderloin cooked on low in 2.5 hours. The temp was actually over 145 in that time, so could have cooked in even less time. It’s a brand new crock-pot and does not “run hot” as you’ve suggested in other comments, perhaps it’s yours that needs checking…
Thanks, Tasha! We will definitely look into it. Hope yours turned out super delicious!
It was waaaaay overcooked using time suggested. Maybe it’s my crockpot but I don’t know.
That’s too bad Anna. You can test your crockpot following this guide to see if it runs hot.
2-21/2 hours is WAY too long unless you want shoe leather. I checked at an hour and a half and temp was already past 150. Very disappointing.
Oh no, I am sorry that happened Joyce. Glad you were still able to enjoy it.
thanks for the recipe…can’t wait to try it tonight. Can i serve this with savoury potatoes & veggies roasted (garlic, butter etc)? or even dump the potatoes and veggies in the crock pot at some point or would that be a no no with the bbq sauce? clearly I am looking for easy no fuss meal for 4 adults and 2 toddlers.
We haven’t tried adding potatoes and veggies to the crockpot but I don’t think it cooks long enough to fully cook those additions.
As always this site gives the best recipes. My go to site for advice, as well. Thanks for all the work you put in!
I’m so glad you’ve loved the recipes Diane!
Set it for 4 hours on low, checked it at 3.5 and internal temp was 180. I would say if you have a good thermometer check on low at 3 hours. Looks delicious though. Resting now :)