Slow cook pork tenderloin in seasoned apple butter for the most delicious, sweet and savory shredded pork. Perfect with baked cheese grits.
If you like this recipe, check out my Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin next!
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Pork tenderloin absorbs whatever flavors you add to it with ease. It’s a very lean cut of pork, but it cooks up juicy and tender every time in the slow cooker. I published this recipe a long time ago and it becomes very popular in the fall. Apple butter has an earthy and spicy sweet depth of flavor. Mixed together with whole grain mustard, a little vinegar, brown sugar and savory spices it becomes a really delicious sauce. The tender shredded pork bathed in this sauce has earned a big fan club over the years. I love serving it over baked cheddar cheese grits. It’s like a southern, land-locked version of shrimp and grits.
More pork recipes
Ingredients for apple butter pork tenderloin
- Pork – I tested this recipe with a 2-lb package of two individual pork tenderloins. You could use a 2 pound boneless pork loin as well.
- Apple Butter – I buy my apple butter from the store for this recipe. But by all means if you have homemade apple butter on-hand, use it!
- Liquid Seasonings – Both whole grain mustard and apple cider vinegar for some brightness and tang.
- Dry Seasonings – Brown sugar, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder and thyme. You could also add black pepper. I usually don’t because my daughter doesn’t like pepper.
Instructions
Pat dry the pork tenderloin with paper towels and place it into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker insert. In a small bowl, stir together the apple butter with the vinegar, mustard and dry ingredients. Spread the mixture evenly over the pork tenderloin. Cover and cook on high power for 5 – 6 hours or low power for 8 – 10 hours. The pork will easily shred with forks when it is done cooking. Shred it right in the slow cooker so it can absorb all of the apple butter mixture.
For printable recipe card and video tutorial, keep scrolling to the bottom of this post.
Serving suggestions
My favorite way to serve this pork tenderloin is atop baked cheddar cheese grits. The recipe I’m linking you to is made with pepper jack cheese. Just replace it with shredded cheddar cheese. And here’s some more recipes to turn this apple butter pork into a complete meal –
Storage directions
Store leftovers in an airtight container. The pork will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3 – 4 days. Or it can be frozen and stay fresh for 2 – 3 months.
Kitchen tools
- I use a 6-quart slow cooker similar to this one for my slow cooker recipes.
Video
Slow Cooker Apple Butter Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Equipment
- 1 6-Quart Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork tenderloin
- 1 tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 3/4 cup apple butter
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp whole grain mustard
Instructions
- Dry the pork tenderloin with paper towels and place it into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker insert.
- In a small bowl, stir together the apple butter with the vinegar, mustard and dry ingredients. Spread the mixture evenly over the pork tenderloin.
- Cover and cook on high powder for 5 - 6 hours or low power for 8 - 10 hours. The pork will easily shred with two forks when it is done cooking.
- Shred it right in the slow cooker so it can absorb all of the apple butter mixture.
Nutrition
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SHERRI LYNN ARNETT says
We don’t eat mustard, it would be a waste to buy it for only a tablespoon. Is there anything else I could use or would it affect the recipe if I left it out?
foodtasticmom says
You can just leave it out. Or sub Worcestershire sauce.
castle says
This Slow Cooker Apple Butter Glazed Pork Tenderloin looks absolutely delicious! I love the combination of sweet and savory flavors, and using the slow cooker makes it so easy. Can’t wait to try this recipe for my next family dinner! Thanks for sharing!
Georgia says
This is such a simple and amazing recipe! The whole family loves it and requests it often! We just love it ❤️
foodtasticmom says
I’m so happy to hear this! Thanks for taking the time to rate and review my recipe.
Erin says
Is there an alternative to apple butter or is it ok to leave it out? I don’t think they sell it at our grocery stores
foodtasticmom says
You can leave it out or you could substitute it with cinnamon apple sauce. I’ve noticed that apple butter has been harder to find at my own Kroger and I’m not sure why.
Gerelyn says
Awesome
foodtasticmom says
Thank you!
Susan says
Delicious! Even hubbywho us picky about his pork roast loved it!
foodtasticmom says
Yay! Love when I can make picky eaters happy with one of my recipes.
SHEREE LE GRO says
Did you sweetened apple butter or unsweetened apple butter?
foodtasticmom says
Sweetened. I used store bought. I’ve not ever seen unsweetened apple butter in stores.
Kristen says
How much mustard does this recipe call for? It just says t Tbsp in the recipe. Thanks!
foodtasticmom says
Thank for catching this error for me. I have corrected it. The recipe uses one tablespoon of mustard.
Donna says
I’m going to make this, but I want to make sure about the pork.
You’re talking about the package of 2 skinny oork tenderloins
which is about 2 lbs NOT a pork loin roast, correct? 6-8 hours for pork
tenderloins seems like a long time which was why I was asking. Thanks.
foodtasticmom says
This is a great question! When I tested the recipe, I did use pork tenderloin. But I can’t always find those at the store. And so you could use 2 – 3 pounds of pork loin instead.
Slow cookers can vary, just like ovens. My slow cooker on low power cooked the 2 pounds of pork tenderloin in about 6 hours. I like mine to shred easily and I don’t mind if there’s some browned bits here and there.
That being said, if your slow cooker runs on the hotter side, your pork tenderloin may be ready sooner. By all means, check after 4 hours and it might be cooked to your liking.
Hope that helps. Enjoy!
Donna says
Thank you for responding so quickly. And yes the answers were helpful.
foodtasticmom says
Oh good! You’re welcome!!
Donna says
one more question–hopefully you’ll see this in the next hour. LOL Have you ever seared the pork before putting it in the crockpot? I was going to do the dry rub, then sear in a skillet.
Thanks
foodtasticmom says
So sorry I didn’t see this in time. Sounds like you really enjoyed the pork. I’m always an advocate for anyone to change up my recipes as they see fit. And yes, I do sometimes sear meat before adding it to the Crock-Pot. Usually these days I don’t because I’m short on time, or I’m just lazy. lol
Donna says
I made this today and it is GREAT!!! I took a picture of it, but I don’t know how to get it on here. It’s on my personal FB page.
I did sear the tenderloins for just a couple of minutes each then proceeded with the recipe. It’s a keeper!!!!
foodtasticmom says
So happy to hear this! If you go on your FB page and in the comments add @foodtasticmom – I should be able to see it. I love when readers share pictures of what they made with me. Thank you!