Easy Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Garlic Sauce

Here’s What You Do:

This recipe is a tale of two halves. First, you’ll rub the pork tenderloin in a flavourful concoction of delicately balanced spices. After you’ve slow-cooked it to perfection, let it soak up the creamy, decadent garlic sauce

1. Season both pork tenderloins with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat to brown the tenderloin on all sides. Then, transfer the browned tenderloin to a slow cooker.
3. In a bowl, stir and combine the heavy cream, chicken broth, Dijon mustard, thyme, and garlic. Pour the mixture over the tenderloin.
4. Cook on low for 2-3 hours or until the pork is tender and internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.
5. Once cooked, let the tenderloin rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Serve with the creamy sauce drizzled over the top.

Side Dishes to Pair with Pork Tenderloin

Our rich, tender pork tenderloin dish works wonderfully with buttery mashed potatoes or au gratin potatoes, which soak up the garlic sauce and pork juices. If you’re looking for a more health-conscious option, this dish also pairs well with wholegrain or cauliflower rice. 

This pork tenderloin recipe is wonderfully versatile. Sauteed leeks or carrots and roasted green beans or butternut squash are additional healthy side options. 

Whatever you choose, serving a large, fresh salad for added texture and nutrients alongside this pork tenderloin is always a solid option. 

Expert Tips & Tricks

Most of us have had the unpleasant experience of eating overcooked, leathery pork. Thankfully, ethically sourced heritage pork is difficult to overcook, thanks to the marbling within the meat. 

To get that Michelin-grade, melt-in-the-mouth texture in your own kitchen, keep the following tips in mind: 

• If you have time, don’t skip the step of searing the pork over high heat for 2-3 minutes until the outside is golden. This will add another depth of flavor and a satisfying crust to the meat. 
• Depending on the time available, you can slow-cook the pork tenderloin on high or low. Slow cooker cooking times can vary greatly. Cooking on high can take anywhere from 1 to 1.5 hours or more, and low between 2 and 4 hours. The best measurement of doneness is the internal temperature. When the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F, it’s ready. (Side note, if you don’t yet have a meat thermometer, we highly recommend getting one!) 
• Resting your pork for 10 minutes after it’s cooked is crucial. This resting period allows the juices to be reabsorbed, making for a tender, mouth-watering experience in every bite. 
• You can make this recipe in the oven if you don’t have a slow cooker. Set the temperature to 325°F and cook for about 2-4 hours in a large oven pot with a lid. Check the internal temperature, and remove it when it hits 145°F.

Recipe FAQs

Is it better to cook pork tenderloin covered or uncovered? 

You’ll want to cook the meat covered to lock in the juices for this slow-cooked pork tenderloin. 

Is it better to sear pork tenderloin before baking? 

Searing pork before slow cooking isn’t a must, but it does add a meaty, crisp texture to the outside of the tenderloin. 

Should pork tenderloin be cooked fast or slow? 

Because of its meaty texture and marbling, pork tenderloin cooks beautifully at a high or low heat. If you’re short on time, go for the high setting. If you have longer, the slow setting will give the pork more time to soak up the fragrant, rich flavors of the garlic, shallots, and thyme. 

How do I store leftovers?

Although leftovers of this mouthwatering dish are unlikely, if you do have any, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze any leftovers for up to 2 months.

Recipe Substitutions

• Consider substituting white wine for the chicken broth to a certain depth of flavor.
• If you don’t have any chicken broth, you can replace it with beef or vegetable broth. 
• While you can substitute the heavy cream for a lower-fat alternative, this will reduce the sauce's creaminess. 

Ready, set, crockpot! 

Ready to try our mouth-watering pork tenderloin recipe for yourself? Order our tender, juicy pork tenderloin today. 

As always, we love to hear what you think of our recipes, so please leave a review in the comments. For more recipe inspiration, check out our recipe page here. Or if you're curious about nose-to-tail eating, read our guide on pork offal.