Description
This slow cooker pork tenderloin recipe features tender, flavorful pork cooked in a savory Asian-inspired sauce with hoisin, soy, and a touch of Chinese 5-spice powder. Perfect for an easy, hands-off dinner served over rice and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pork
- 2 lb. pork tenderloin (or 2 loins)
Sauce
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 Tbsp. hoisin sauce
- 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 tsp. garlic, minced
- 1 tsp. ginger, minced
- 1/2 tsp. Chinese 5-spice powder (optional)
Garnish and Serving
- Green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds
- Cooked rice
- Steamed or roasted vegetables (broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, etc.)
Instructions
- Place Pork in Slow Cooker: Place the pork tenderloins in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, making sure they lay flat and spaced evenly.
- Whisk Sauce Ingredients: In a measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, dark brown sugar, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, minced garlic, minced ginger, and Chinese 5-spice powder until well combined.
- Pour Over Pork: Pour the sauce evenly over the pork tenderloins in the slow cooker, turning the pork a couple of times to ensure it is fully coated with the sauce. The pork should be coated but not fully submerged.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 8 hours to achieve maximum tenderness, or cook on high heat for 5 hours if pressed for time.
- Slice or Shred: Once cooked, the pork will be very tender. Remove it from the slow cooker and slice or shred the meat according to your preference. For extra flavor, return the pork to the slow cooker and toss it in the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the tender pork over cooked rice with your choice of vegetables. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for a fresh and nutty finish.
Notes
- For accompaniments, serve with roasted broccoli, asparagus, brown rice, cauliflower rice, or Brussels sprouts for a balanced meal.
- Store leftover pork and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For longer storage, freeze cooked pork in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- If you don’t have Chinese 5-spice powder, simply omit it or substitute with a pinch of cinnamon and star anise for a similar flavor profile.
- You can also add vegetables to the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
