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When I think of a cozy fall family meal, I think of this Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Apples. Tender pork is simmered with sweet onions and tart apples, then topped with a homemade maple pan gravy.
Slow cooker meals are one of my favorite things to cook during fall and winter when the weather is a bit cooler. They fill the house with the best aroma and dinner prep and clean up is easy!
This Pork Tenderloin with Apples is perfect for fall and apple season. It's simmered low and slow with familiar flavors, perfect for bringing the family together for a cozy dinner, just like my Roasted Stuffed Pork Tenderloin.
Jump to:
- ❤️ Why You'll Love this Juicy Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin
- 🍏 Ingredients to Make Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions
- 🍖 Pork Tenderloin vs. Pork Loin
- ⭐ Chef's Secret
- 🥘 How to Make the Perfect Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Gravy
- Glossary
- 💭 Frequently asked questions
- 🍁 Slow Cooker Recipes for Fall
- Did You Make this Recipe?
- Recipe
- Comments
❤️ Why You'll Love this Juicy Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin
- Easy - This pork tenderloin recipe is simple to prepare, with minimal steps, and it cooks in the slow cooker, making it perfect for a relaxed Sunday dinner or even a busy weeknight when you need something effortless yet special.
- Versatile - It pairs beautifully with sides like Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Roasted Brussels Sprouts, creating a complete family meal everyone will love!
- Straightforward - This recipe uses just a few quality ingredients to let the natural flavors shine.
🍏 Ingredients to Make Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions
- Pork - Pork tenderloin is a long, lean, and tender cut of meat, typically weighing around 1 pound and serving about 3 people. For larger gatherings, you might consider a pork loin roast, but it will require more cooking time. If you're using pork tenderloin, trim off the silverskin if it hasn't already been removed. (I have written more about these cuts and how to prepare them below).
- Apples - Granny Smith apples have a crisp, tart flavor, making them my favorite to cook with pork. They perfectly balance the pork and their juices blend into the gravy, adding a delicious balance of flavors to every bite. Honey Crisp or Pink Lady apples are other options but are sweeter varieties.
- Onions - Sweet yellow onions add depth to the gravy and pork. If you only have white or red onions, those work too. Chopped carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, or yellow potatoes can be added to the slow cooker for a more hearty meal.
- Gravy - This homemade pan gravy is built with the fond, or flavorful bits, left in the pan from searing the pork tenderloin. Along with the drippings from the slow cooker, it's flavored with a hint of dijon mustard and maple syrup for the perfect finish to this meal.
🍖 Pork Tenderloin vs. Pork Loin
Pork Tenderloin and Pork Loin may sound similar but are two distinct cuts. Tenderloin is a thin, boneless cut from the muscle along the backbone, while loin is a wider cut that comes boneless or bone-in.
Pork loin is known for its mild flavor and leanness, with a thick fat cap that keeps it tender if cooked just right. In contrast, pork tenderloin is even leaner and more delicate in flavor, becoming especially tender when quickly cooked.
If you're cooking pork tenderloin, trim away the silverskin, if it hasn't already been removed. Quick-cooking methods like grilling, searing, roasting, or stir-frying work best, just be mindful not to overcook it. Pork loin is a great choice for moderate grilling or searing followed by a slow roast, but it also benefits from careful cooking to keep it juicy and tender.
⭐ Chef's Secret
The silverskin is a shiny membrane on pork tenderloin, that doesn't break down during cooking. Use a sharp knife to carefully slide underneath it and peel it away.
🥘 How to Make the Perfect Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Gravy
Season - First, remove excess moisture from the meat by blotting the tenderloins with paper towels. Season them evenly on all sides with a mixture of salt, pepper, thyme, ground mustard, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Sear - Next, heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat on the stovetop and add the olive oil. Once the oil shimmers, add the seasoned pork tenderloins. Sear them on all sides until they are beautifully browned. (Remember to save the skillet for gravy later!)
Slow Cook - Place the tenderloins in the slow cooker and top with onions, apples, garlic, and chicken stock or broth. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.
Rest - Place the pork tenderloin on a cutting board for 10 minutes to rest, then drain the juices from the slow cooker to make gravy.
Roux - In the same skillet used to sear the tenderloins, melt the butter over medium heat on the stovetop. Whisk in the flour, allowing the mixture to cook for about 1 minute to form a roux.
Finish Gravy - Gradually whisk in the drained juices from the slow cooker, along with the onions and apples if you'd like. Finally, add the dijon mustard and maple syrup, and let the gravy simmer until it thickens.
Slice & Serve - Slice the pork tenderloin and serve it with the maple pan gravy.
Glossary
If you don't recognize a tool or skill I mentioned, you can look it up in my Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information!
💭 Frequently asked questions
Searing pork tenderloin before slow cooking can help keep it from drying out and also enhances the flavor. The liquid will also help to keep the meat moist and tender during the slow cooking. Don't forget to let the meat rest after cooking for at least 10 minutes so it can reabsorb as many juices as possible.
Pork tenderloin is a leaner cut of meat, so it does not get tender the longer it's cooked. Short cooking times are better for tenderloin as opposed to long ones. While I give the option to cook the meat either on high at a shorter time, low is better in this case, even though the time is a bit longer.
🍁 Slow Cooker Recipes for Fall
If you enjoyed this Pork Tenderloin with Gravy in the Slow Cooker, here are some more slow cooker recipes you can enjoy this fall!
Recipe
Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Maple Pan Gravy
Equipment
- 15-Inch Cast Iron Skillet or large skillet
Ingredients
- 2 whole pork tenderloins, approximately 2-3 pounds total, silverskin removed
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium sweet yellow onion, cut into thin slices
- 1 large granny smith apple, cut into thin slices
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic, approximately 2-3 cloves
- 2 cups chicken stock, or broth
- 4 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 3 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Remove any excess moisture from the pork tenderloins, by patting them dry with a paper towel. Season the tenderloins on all sides with salt, pepper, thyme, ground mustard, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat on the stovetop with the olive oil.
- When the oil shimmers, sear the pork tenderloins in the skillet for 3-5 minutes on each side until nicely browned. (Set the skillet aside to make gravy later!)
- Place the pork tenderloins in the slow cooker and add the onions, apples, garlic, and chicken broth.
- Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours, until the pork is fork-tender. (I recommend low for 4 hours for a juicy tenderloin)
- Let the tenderloins rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes and drain the juices from the slow cooker for gravy.
- Melt the butter over medium heat on the stovetop, in the skillet used to sear the pork, whisk in the flour, and let the mixture cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly pour in the juices, while whisking, along with the apples and onions, if desired.
- Next, whisk in the dijon mustard and maple syrup and let the gravy simmer for 2-3 minutes until it's thickened.
- Slice the pork tenderloins into pieces and serve with the pan gravy.
Notes
- Pork - A pork loin roast can be used instead of pork tenderloin. It is larger and fattier than a tenderloin so additional cook time will be needed.
- Onions - White, or red onions can be substituted if needed.
- Vegetables - Add chopped carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, or regular potatoes in the slow cooker.
Camille
This recipe looks phenomenal, and I think this'll be what I make for Thanksgiving dinner. Quick question: am I supposed to use a total weight of 3lbs tenderloin, or should each be 3lbs?
Amanda Scarlati
Thanks Camille! Pork tenderloins tend to be around 1 - 1 1/2 pounds each, so it's 2-3 pounds total between the two.
Lindsey
My family loves this recipe! We’ve made it several times but tonight we substituted pork loin with pork chops and it was equally as delicious. Easy, straightforward, and ann added bonus that it’s kid proof! Thank you!!
Amanda Scarlati
Thanks Lindsey, I'm so glad your family loves this recipe!
Lindsey
This has become our new favorite pork recipe!! Even our 4 and 3 year old approve! Simple and delicious! ☺️
Amanda Scarlati
I love to hear this Lindsey, thank you!
Lynn
I’m not a huge fan of pork, but my husband likes it once in a while, so we made this today and it is SO good !! I used one cup of apple cider instead of just broth. Also in the oven at 275 F for same length of time as slow cooker. Mashed potatoes and braised red cabbage for a perfect fall comfort meal! Will definitely make again.
Amanda
That's great! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for trying the recipe!