The recipe calls for ground sage, but poultry season also works well in a pinch. The only thing that is a tiny bit high-maintenance about this recipe is the need to brown all sides of the pork before adding it to the slow cooker. It’s important for the overall flavor, though super worth dirtying that frying pan.
The Homemade Balsamic Glaze that you pour over the finished pork loin is delicious and really elevates the dish. It’s so simple to make and has a punch of flavor you are going to love. Leftover glaze tastes fantastic drizzled over tomato slices. Yum!
My Favorite Recipes to Make for Company
- Stuffed Shells
- Classic Meatloaf Recipe
- Stuffed Meatloaf
- The Best Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe
- Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
- Slow Cooker Pineapple Salsa Chicken
- Best Ever Chicken Chimichanga Recipe
- Chicken and Mushroom Wild Rice Soup
STEP-BY-STEP PICTURES for making slow cooker balsamic pork loin
Frequently Asked Questions about how to make Slow Cooker Balsamic Pork Loin
what is pork loin?
A pork loin is a large, thick, and flat-cut roast with a juicy fat cap, which comes from between the ribs and the back of the pig. It is a lean and tender cut, but it should not be confused with pork tenderloin. You will also find pork loin called center loin roast or pork center rib roast. It can either be boneless or bone-in. For this recipe, I used a boneless pork loin roast.
can I substitute the pork loin roast with pork tenderloin?
Yes, you can, but you will need to substitute 2-3 pork tenderloins to equal 4-5 lb pork loin roast in this recipe. You will need to adjust the cooking time according to the tenderloins’ sizes. Also, keep in mind pork tenderloin is a leaner cut than a pork loin, which is larger, marbled with more fat, and produces a more moist and flavorful roast.
what is a good substitute for ground sage?
If you don’t have ground sage on hand, you can replace it with poultry seasoning. Rosemary would also work well in this recipe.
do I have to brown the pork loin before placing it in the slow cooker?
You can skip this step in the recipe, if you want. However, I do not recommend it. Browning the pork loin on all sides will seal in the flavor and add texture to the roast. The brown crust holds in the juices while the roast cooks.
how long should I cook it in the crockpot?
For this recipe, I cooked it for 4 hours on high. If you need or want to cook it on low in the crockpot, double the cooking time.
how do I know when the pork loin is done?
After cooking it on high for 4 hours, it will be tender and juicy. The best way to tell is by using a meat thermometer. After inserting the thermometer into the thickest part of the roast and the temperature to reads 145 degrees Fahrenheit, the pork loin is done.
chef’s tools:
Serve with...
- 4-5 lb pork loin
- 2 tsp salt
- ¾ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsp ground sage or poultry seasoning
- 3-4 large cloves of garlic, crushed or finely chopped
- 2-3 tbsp vegetable or canola oil (for browning the meat)
- BALSAMIC GLAZE:
- ½ cup plus 2 tbsp brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1½ tbsp cornstarch
- In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, ground sage, and crushed garlic.
- Rub the mixed spices all over the pork loin.
- Heat 2-3 tbsp of oil in a large frying pan and brown each side of the pork loin. This takes 2-3 minutes per side.
- Transfer the browned pork loin to the slow cooker. Turn the slow cooker on high and cook for 4 hours.
- When four hours are up, make the glaze by whisking together the brown sugar, water, vinegar, soy sauce, and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes or until it begins to simmer. If desired, you can double the sauce, but I always find myself with plenty of sauce with this amount.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it on a large plate or platter. Slice into 1-inch pieces, and then pour about half a cup of the sauce over the pork. Serve the rest of the sauce in a small bowl on the table for those who would like extra.
- Tastes great served with my Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.
- Enjoy!
More Delicious Pork Recipes
My whole family loved this pork roast. They gave me the thumbs-up to make it again. The balsamic glaze is delicious!
This recipe is a keeper! We loved the balsamic glaze.
Yay! I am so glad you liked it! It’s a new go-to “company” recipe for me. 🙂
I did not see where it is necessary to add any liquid to the crockpot before adding the pork loin. Is this correct?
Hi, it is correct, you do not add any liquid to the crock pot when cooking the pork.