What is the difference between a pork loin and a pork tenderloin?

They are completely different cuts. A pork loin is a wider, 3-4 pound roast perfect for the 6-hour slow cook in this recipe. A tenderloin is a thin, long muscle that cooks much faster and will dry out if cooked this long. Always buy a boneless pork loin roast for this Slow Cooker Pork Loin with Mushroom Sauce.

Do you have to use sherry in this recipe?

No, but it adds a unique nutty sweetness. You can substitute with 1/2 cup of additional chicken broth mixed with a teaspoon of white wine vinegar. The key is still deglazing your searing pan with some liquid to lift the flavorful browned bits, which is essential for a rich gravy.

How do I cook a pork loin in a slow cooker?

Sear it first for a crust, then slow cook it in liquid. For a 3 lb roast, cook it on LOW for 5-6 hours with the mushroom and broth mixture until it reaches an internal temperature of 200°F and shreds easily. This braising method keeps it tender. See the troubleshooting section above for more details.

Slow Cooker Pork Loin with Mushroom Sauce: 6-Hour Easy Recipe

Name: Slow Cooker Pork Loin with Sherried Mushroom Gravy
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 lb pork loin roast (about 1.4 kg); 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 6 slices bacon, chopped; 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced (about 225g); 1/2 cup dry sherry (120 ml); 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (480 ml); 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried); 2 tbsp cornstarch (16g); 2 tbsp water

Description

This slow cooker pork loin cooks for 6 hours in a savory sherry and mushroom gravy, becoming fork-tender. The active prep is just 20 minutes of browning and sautéing, making it a reliable comfort food meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pork Loin:

3 lb pork loin roast (about 1.4 kg)

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

For the Gravy Base:

6 slices bacon, chopped

1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced (about 225g)

1/2 cup dry sherry (120 ml)

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (480 ml)

1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried)

To Thicken:

2 tbsp cornstarch (16g)

2 tbsp water

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Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 6 hours
Category: Dinner, Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (with gravy)
Calories: 420 kcal
Sugar: 4 g
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 9 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 54 g
Cholesterol: 115 mg