Video Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions

Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions – This easy slow cooker pork tenderloin recipe includes sweet apples and tangy onions for a complete, comforting meal made in just one pot.

Seriously, aren’t slow cooker recipes just the best?

Reading: Slow cooker pork roast with apples and onions

Known as “set it and forget it” dishes, nearly all of our family’s most beloved and frequently eaten dinners are made using the handy-dandy, stress-free crockpot. Just layer your ingredients in the pot in the morning, close the lid, and set the timer. In a matter of hours, you’ve got a complete hot meal that’s ready to enjoy. Easy-peasy!

Pork is a protein that’s particularly great for making in the crock pot. Other methods, like grilling and roasting, can be time-consuming or tricky to cook pork that isn’t under or over-cooked. The slow cooking process, however, is nearly foolproof for creating the most tender meat every time, like in these Slow Cooker Smoked Pulled Pork and Best Slow Cooker Carnitas recipes.

For today’s recipe, I wanted to create a simple, satisfying slow cooker meal that uses my favorite cut of pork – the tenderloin – combined with bold southern flavors. This Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions is incredibly easy but tastes wonderfully complex and comforting. It includes a fantastic spice rub that you’ll want to use on everything, and the entire dish has a great balance of sweet and savory flavors.

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Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions

I absolutely love the southern combination of pork with green apples and onions. Who else grew up eating pork chops and applesauce as regular dinnertime staple? Our recipe is inspired by this childhood favorite, but is way more flavorful and easier to make using the crock pot.

Sautéed onions with tender granny smith apples add perfectly tangy, sweet flavor and juiciness to the pork tenderloin. Even picky eaters will enjoy this dish!

It’s great for a laid-back weeknight or weekend family meal, and is also impressive to serve at dinner parties. Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions is gluten-free and dairy-free, making it a healthier and allergy-friendly meal.

pork tenderloin, apples, and onion cooked in the crock pot

What Ingredients You Need

This Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Onions and Apples recipe requires just a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients. These are staples of southern cooking, but are all readily available at most groceries across the country.

Here is everything that you need:

Pork tenderloin – one small or two large
Seasonings – salt, cinnamon, garlic powder, ground cumin, and dried mustard
Butter – a cornerstone of nearly any southern dish
Onions – white or yellow
Granny smith apples – for the best zingy flavor
Brown sugar – to sweeten the tartness of the apples
Parsley – for serving

How to Make Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions in the Slow Cooker

Preparation for this dish is super easy, and is great to do in the morning before heading out of the house or enjoying a relaxing day at home.

First, make the seasoning rub. (You can do this the night or a day or two before making the tenderloin.) In a small bowl, mix together salt, cinnamon garlic powder, cumin and dried mustard. Generously rub over the entire surface of the pork tenderloin.

Then, place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the butter. Once hot, lay the pork tenderloin in the skillet and sear on all sides to seal in the juices. This will take about 10 minutes.

Move the pork tenderloin to a plate, and add the sliced onions to the hot pan. Sauté the onions for just a couple of minutes to soften.

Next, cover the bottom of a large 6-quart crock pot with the apple wedges, and sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the apples. Pour in the sautéed onions and sprinkle with salt. Lay the seared pork loin over the top of the raw apples and cooked onions.

Cover the crock pot and turn on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 2-4 hours. Once the apples are tender, dinner is ready! Turn the slow cooker off and remove the pork, apples, and onions right away to keep the apples from continuing to cook and become mushy.

Cut the tenderloin into slices and place on a platter, surrounded by the apples and onions. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve warm.

Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The apples and onions may become softer once they are reheated, but will still taste delicious!

Get the Complete (Printable) Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions Recipe Below. Enjoy!

How Do You Know When Pork Tenderloin is Done?

Cooking low and slow in the crock pot per our recipe will produce a perfectly done, juicy, and tender pork tenderloin.

Properly cooked pork should have an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, with no more than a touch of pinkness.

What Other Apples Can I Use to Make Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions?

This slow cooker pork tenderloin recipe uses Granny Smith apples, but feel free to use other apples you have available. Sweet apples like Golden Delicious and Honeycrisp won’t be quite as wonderfully tart as Granny Smiths, but will have great sweetness and flavor.

Just be sure to select a firm apple variety.