Forget dry pork! This cranberry crockpot pork loin recipe delivers fall-off-the-bone perfection with tangy cranberry sauce & minimal effort. Try it tonight!
This is one of my favorite recipes because it is ridiculously easy to make and SO GOOD. Your family and friends will think you were slaving over a hot stove all day. But not so!
I’m a huge fan of dump-and-go recipes. So this one is no exception. And the best part? You can switch up the type of pork you use and still get the same result.
I’ve used pork chops, different loins and even a roast. They all work well with this recipe. So it can be made for a simple weeknight meal or serve it to family and friends for holiday gatherings.
This recipe is so good, that it’s in my arsenal of amazing dinner ideas for Christmas.
Wait until you try this cranberry crockpot pork loin recipe!
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Forget Dry Pork! Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cranberry Crockpot Pork Loin Recipe (So Easy!)
While you can serve this one any time of year, to me it feels more festive because of the cranberry sauce. When I first made this dish, I made it for a holiday family gathering not realizing how perfect it would be.
It literally took me a few minutes to prepare. I set up the crockpot and that did the rest. Because it was so easy and I was done preparing dinner pretty quickly, I was like, looking for other dishes to make. It almost felt like I was cheating my guests with such an easy meal.
When this dish is done cooking, you’ll be able to make a simple cranberry sauce to pour over the pork. And let me tell you, the pork is “pull apart” when done. For best results, head to the butcher to get the best cuts of meat.
But seriously, I’ve made this with pork chops from the grocery store and it was equally as good.
Ingredients to Make Cranberry Crockpot Pork Loin Recipe
- 2 Pounds of Pork Tenderloin
- 16 Ounces Jellied Cranberry Sauce
- ½ Cup Apple Juice
- ¼ Cup Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon or Spicy Mustard
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- ¼ Cup Cold Water
- 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
How to Cook Pork Loin in the Crock Pot With Cranberry
- Add cranberry sauce, apple juice, sugar, and mustard to a bowl and mix well.
- Pour cranberry mixture over pork tenderloin.
- Cover and cook on high for 6-8 hours.
- Remove pork tenderloin to a platter and allow to rest for 15 minutes.
- Combine cold water and cornstarch in a saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat and stir continuously until it thickens.
- Add juices from the crockpot to the saucepan and boil until it thickens to make a cranberry sauce. Stir well while it’s cooking.
- Serve and enjoy!
Cooking Pork Loin in the Crockpot FAQs
Can You Cook a Pork Loin in a Crock Pot Without Liquid?
No, you cannot cook a pork loin in a crockpot without liquid because it will dry out without some sort of liquid in the slow cooker. If making a pork loin in the crockpot without a recipe, you should add a little bit of liquid before cooking.
Also, the liquid should come up about 1/4 of the way up the sides of the pork. Don’t completely immerse it because as the pork cooks down, it will release juices into the slow cooker.
Feel free to try some sort of stock if you want to go a different route from the cranberry sauce in this dish. But I’m telling you. I’m not a huge fan of cranberries and I LOVE THIS CRANBERRY CROCKPOT PORK LOIN RECIPE.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Pork in Slow Cooker?
In general, it takes about 6-8 hours on slow. Oftentimes, dishes will suggest browning the meat before tossing in the slow cooker. But with this dish, you don’t have to. I don’t and love it as it is. Not to mention, it is SO MUCH EASIER not browning it first.
Can Pork Loin Be Overcooked in Slow Cooker?
Do not overcook it so it stays tender and juicy. Don’t let it sit there on warm because I’ve found it can dry out. When the cooking time is done, remove it from the crockpot and let it rest for 15 minutes. While the meat is resting, make the sauce or finish prepping the rest of the meal. This will help ensure a tender and juicy pork loin.
Can You Make This Cranberry Pork Loin Crockpot Recipe With Whole Cranberries Instead of Jellied?
Yes, you can make it with canned whole cranberries too. I prefer the consistency of the jellied cranberry sauce though.
Why This Cranberry Crockpot Pork Loin Recipe is Perfect for a Holiday Meal
The holidays may be filled with joy, but let’s be honest: they can also be stressful in the kitchen. Between endless cookie baking and juggling family visits, who has time for a time-consuming, finicky main course? That’s what makes this Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cranberry Crockpot Pork Loin Recipe so good!
Forget dry, overcooked turkeys and fussy, overcomplicated roasts. This recipe is your holiday hero, delivering moist, flavorful pork infused with the tart sweetness of cranberries, all while simmering blissfully in your trusty Crockpot. Here’s why it’s the perfect fit for your festive feast:
- Effortless Elegance: Toss the ingredients together and let your slow cooker work its magic. No need to stand over the stove or constantly check for doneness. This frees you up to mingle, decorate, or even catch a nap (because let’s face it, the holidays can be exhausting!).
- Festive Flavors: The combination of juicy pork, tangy cranberries, and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves screams “holiday!” It’s a classic and comforting flavor profile that’s sure to please everyone at the table, from picky Aunt Mildred to adventurous Cousin Tom.
- Crowd-Pleasing Portions: This recipe easily feeds a hungry holiday gathering. The pork loin cooks up beautifully tender and melts in your mouth, and there’s plenty of delicious pan sauce to drizzle over everyone’s seconds (and thirds!).
- Impress without Stress: Despite its simple preparation, this dish looks anything but basic. The vibrant cranberry sauce adds a beautiful pop of color to your holiday spread, and the juicy pork slices glisten like holiday ornaments. You’ll earn all the compliments without all the sweat.
- Stress-Free Leftovers: Leftovers are a holiday bonus, and this pork loin delivers! The flavors only get better the next day, making it perfect for post-holiday sandwiches or cozy fireside dinners.
So go ahead, ditch the culinary anxieties and embrace the effortless deliciousness of this Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin. It’s a holiday miracle in a slow cooker, guaranteed to make your festive feast merry and bright (and incredibly yummy!).
The holidays are about spending time with loved ones, not stressing over the kitchen. Let your Crockpot handle the main course, and focus on what truly matters: creating memories and sharing laughter.
Conclusion
I am a HUGE fan of dump-and-go recipes. With minutes of preparation, this dinner is perfect for a weeknight dinner.
But more so for the holidays because it leaves you with more time to do all the other things. Like setting a pretty table. Plus, the festive cranberry sauce just makes the dish. And the final sauce compliments the meat really well. It might even taste better because it’s so easy to make???
The dish also pairs well with stuffing, side vegetables and a salad. I’ve made this recipe a few times for the holidays and it is a crowd-pleaser.
And if you want to garnish the dish more? Consider topping this recipe off with cooked cranberries. And tuck some rosemary sprigs in to green it up.
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cranberry Crockpot Pork Loin Recipe (So Easy!)
Equipment
- 1 Crockpot
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Pork Tenderloin
- 16 Ounces Jellied Cranberry Sauce
- ½ Cup Apple Juice
- ¼ Cup Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon or Spicy Mustard
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- ¼ Cup Cold Water
- 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
Instructions
- Add cranberry sauce, apple juice, sugar, and mustard to a bowl and mix well.
- Pour cranberry mixture over pork tenderloin.
- Cover and cook on high for 6-8 hours.
- Remove pork tenderloin to a platter and allow to rest for 15 minutes.
- Combine cold water and cornstarch in a sauce pan.
- Cook over medium heat and stir continuosly until it thickens.
- Add juices from the crockpot to the saucepan and boil until it thickens to make a cranberry sauce. Stir well while it's cooking.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
More About Making Cranberry Crockpot Pork Loin
Have you ever made cranberry crockpot pork loin before? If you make this version of the dish, I’d love to hear what you think!
Do you use your slowcooker often? I don’t use it as much as I should. But I do make this recipe about 2-3 times a year. And it’s one of our family favorites. Do you have any favorite slow cooker recipes you’d like to share? I would love to know more in the comments below.
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Happy Holidays!
Quick and Easy Dishes to Try
Since we moved, I’m all about cooking in my new kitchen! The former homeowners designed a working kitchen and let me tell you, we’ve been working it here.
We’ve got three ovens and 6 burners so it’s been a lot of fun making dishes for friends and family.
Here’s what I’ve been cooking up lately!
- Meatballs in the Oven with Italian Gravy
- Corn Chowder Easy Recipe
- Chicken Soup Recipe Homemade
- Healthy Instantpot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
- Creamy Pumpkin Soup Recipe
- The Best Coffee Cake Recipe
- Apple Crisp Easy Recipe
- Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe
- Quick and Easy Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe
If you’ve always dreamed of bringing country charm to your home while creating a beautiful, relaxing space, I got you! Learn how to grow flowers in even the smallest of spaces with my easy-care, low-maintenance approach.
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Enjoy a beautiful day! xo
