A few simple ingredients make for a standout meal with my Slow Cooker Apple Butter Glazed Pork Tenderloin served over cheesy grits with a side of bacon. Thank you to the Ohio Pork Council for sponsoring this post.
This is my land-locked, Midwestern version of a Southern classic. I have had some pretty stellar shrimp and grits on my family’s Florida vacations over the years. But I pretty much save that dish for when I’m near the water. When I’m in Ohio I like to buy local and choose Ohio pork for our dinners. With that in mind I decided that pork and grits needs to be a thing here in my Ohio home.
Pork tenderloin absorbs whatever flavors you add to it so well. It’s a very lean cut of pork but it cooks up juicy and tender every time in the slow cooker with very minimal effort.
To pair with my cheesy grits and bacon I decided apple butter should be the star ingredient of my glaze. The dry rub that goes on first has just five ingredients and then the pork is smothered with a mix of apple butter, apple cider vinegar and a little whole grain mustard.
The flavor in this dish is superb with a lovely balance of sweetness from the apple butter and salt from the cheddar and bacon.
Tips for Slow Cooker Apple Butter Glazed Pork Tenderloin:
- I use a 6-quart slow cooker similar to this one for my slow cooker recipes.
- Click HERE to find the recipe for cheesy grits to serve with this slow cooker pork tenderloin.
- You don’t have to serve bacon on the side, but why wouldn’t you?
- Click HERE to find the best way to cook your bacon.
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Slow Cooker Apple Butter Glazed Pork Tenderloin
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
- t tbsp whole grain mustard
Instructions
- Mix together the brown sugar, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder and thyme and rub it on all sides of the pork tenderloin. Place the tenderloin in the slow cooker.
- Whisk together the apple butter, apple cider vinegar and mustard. Pour evenly over the pork.
- Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook the pork on LOW (6 - 8 hours) or HIGH (3 - 4 hours). Shred the meat before serving.
- Serve the pork with cheesy grits and bacon.
Nutrition
More recipes with Ohio Pork:
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Those cheesy grits sound lovely – I wish we could find grits here in the UK! Is it the same as polenta?
foodtasticmom says
Yes! It is absolutely the same as polenta. I used Bob’s Red Mill brand and it even says grits (same as polenta) on the package label 🙂
Iryna says
You described the recipe so good. Definitely going to make this. I’ve had a slow-cooker for about 3 months now and I only cooked chicken there. I’ve used to cook pork tenderloin only in the oven, but I love your recipe and going to make this soon.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much Iryna. I’m so glad you are going to try it!
Hungry_Healthy_Happy says
This looks so delicious and comforting! Pork and apple just go so well together.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you I hope you try it!
April J Harris says
My mouth is watering just reading this post! Your Slow Cooker Apple Butter Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Cheesy Grits looks just amazing. I love the sweet, salty, savoury flavour contrast you have going on with this recipe. Great giveaway too – I have a LeCreuset Dutch Oven and it is the best! (In fact, it’s over 25 years old and still going strong!)
foodtasticmom says
Thanks so much April. I hope you took the survey… never hurts to have a back up 🙂 I appreciate the kind comments!
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
I keep forgetting to use my slow cooker – which is crazy right. I should bring it back out and try this.
foodtasticmom says
Yes you should absolutely get out your slow cooker and make this 🙂
Donna says
I am going to try your recipe for this pork tenderloin. It sounds wonderful! I tried to enter the contest and had everything filled out down to the bottom where it ask for the state and I couldn’t get it to accept anything but when I hit submit it says I left that question blank so I couldn’t enter. I would love to have a LeCreuset Dutch Oven!!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks so much Donna! I know the link was having some issues the other day. You might want to go in and try it again. That’s the only way I know to make sure that you are entered to win. Good luck!!!
Donna says
O.K. Thanks!
Jennifer Osterholt says
I love the pork and apples, applesauce or apple butter combinations. Great fall meals!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Jennifer 🙂
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
The slow cooker is seriously my favorite way to cook pork.
Brown Sugar says
Is that pork over cheese grits?!!!!!! Girl…awesome idea!
Mary says
Hello! As others have said, this recipe sounds amazing. I was wondering, could I use different cuts of pork in this recipe? Thanks for your help! Happy New Yeat
Noelle says
This looks amazing, I can not wait to try it!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks so much Noelle!
Pam Greer says
I love the flavors in this! Apples and pork go so good together, so I’m sure this apple butter is wonderful. I especially like that you serve it over grits!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks very much Pam!
Emily says
What a delicious recipe- my kids love any recipe that involves brown sugar. Can’t wait to try this pork soon.
foodtasticmom says
Mine too! Thanks Emily!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
This sounds like the perfect flavor combo! Why do I never think of making grits? I’m sure my family would love them! Thanks for the inspiration!
foodtasticmom says
Grits are for sure one of my favorite sides. So simple!
Carmella says
This recipe scream so much yas. I never would’ve thought to have pulled pork in my cheesy delicious grits. Then you go and put one of my all time favorite things in the world on it, apple butter! I am totally and completely sold.
foodtasticmom says
Yay! Hope you try this recipe!
Gloria says
I was cleaning out my freezer today and found some pork tenderloin. I was wondering what I was going to make with it. This sounds like a plan. I love my slow cooker. This is going to be good.
foodtasticmom says
Awesome. Glad I could help!
Adrianne says
Interesting recipe! At 1st I thought ‘grits’ were root vegetables but now I am thinking they are a grain, like polenta as per comments is that right? Is it another name for polenta or is it slightly different? The pork sounds fab, cheers!
foodtasticmom says
They are both corn. Polenta is made from yellow and is more course. Grits are made from white and is finer. But they are VERY similar. I hope you try the pork!
Kelly says
Do you think I could half this recipe and only use a pound of pork tenderloin? What adjustments would you make? Can’t wait to try!
foodtasticmom says
Yes. Just halve all the other ingredients too. It might not take as long to cook either…
Melanie says
Very good. I don’t make pork too often but this recipe sounded easy enough. It was easy and delicious. I paired mine with Mac and cheese.
foodtasticmom says
This pork is great for pairing mac and cheese. Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Lori says
I made this according to the recipe and it was fantastic!!!
foodtasticmom says
I’m so happy to hear this. Thanks for taking the time to come back to rate and review my recipe. I really appreciate it!
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!