Description
Succulent slow cooker pineapple pork loin brings tropical Hawaiian flavors to your dinner table. Juicy meat marinates in sweet and tangy sauce, creating a simple yet memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2–3 pounds (0.9–1.4 kilograms) pork loin (trimmed of excess fat)
Seasonings and Sweeteners:
- 8 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) soy sauce
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
- Salt and pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) vegetable oil
- 1 (23.5 ounces/680 grams) can pineapple chunks with juice
Instructions
- Prepare the pork loin by carefully trimming excess fat and generously seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage.
- Create a rich golden exterior by searing the pork in a hot pan with vegetable oil over medium-high heat, browning each side for 2-4 minutes until a deep caramel color develops.
- Transfer the browned pork to the slow cooker and thoroughly distribute minced garlic across the surface of the meat.
- Gently pour pineapple chunks and their natural juice over the pork, then sprinkle brown sugar evenly to create a sweet caramelized coating.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low temperature for 4-6 hours for sliceable pork, or extend to 8-10 hours for a more tender, shreddable texture. Periodically baste the meat with accumulated cooking juices to maintain moisture and enhance flavor.
- For pulled pork variation, shred the meat using two forks and return to the slow cooker, allowing it to simmer for an additional hour to absorb more liquid and intensify flavors.
- Plate the pork and serve hot, allowing guests to enjoy the succulent, tropical-infused meat with its rich, caramelized exterior.
Notes
- Browning the pork before slow cooking creates a rich, caramelized exterior that locks in flavor and provides a deeper taste profile.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 145°F for perfectly cooked, juicy pork that’s safe to eat.
- For a low-carb version, replace brown sugar with a sugar-free alternative like erythritol or monk fruit sweetener to reduce overall sugar content.
- Save the leftover cooking liquid as a delicious sauce or glaze – it’s packed with concentrated pineapple and pork flavors that can enhance other dishes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg