Easy, Crock-Pot Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

Itโ€™s delicious beyond wordsโ€ฆThis pork recipe just melts in your mouth! So easy, itโ€™s perfect for a busy weeknight supper but fabulous enough for company. The sauce is really, really good. I love to serve this with a baked potato and mash some sauce in it, instead of the usual sour cream and butter. You could even serve it as a hot open-faced sandwich with sauce drizzled over the top.ย Each serving has 206 calories, 5 grams of fat.
Skinny, Crock-Pot Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

Why You'll Love My Easy Crock-Pot Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

Imagine coming home to the savory aroma of tender, flavorful pork, effortlessly prepared in your Crock-Pot. This "Easy, Crock-Pot Balsamic Pork Tenderloin" recipe delivers just that โ€“ a simple yet elegant meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend dinners. The combination of tangy balsamic vinegar, sweet honey, and aromatic herbs creates a rich, nuanced sauce that beautifully complements the lean pork tenderloin. It's an ideal choice for those seeking a healthy, low-maintenance meal that doesn't sacrifice taste. With minimal prep time and the convenience of slow cooking, this recipe allows you to enjoy a gourmet-quality dinner without spending hours in the kitchen, making it a new family favorite.

Ingredients For Easy, Crock-Pot Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

Boneless pork tenderloin:
  • Lean Protein Excellence: Pork tenderloin is a premium lean cut, offering high-quality protein essential for muscle growth and repair, with minimal fat.
  • Flavor Absorption Capacity: Its mild, slightly sweet flavor profile makes it a perfect canvas for absorbing the rich balsamic sauce.
  • Exceptional Tenderness: Slow cooking renders the pork tenderloin incredibly tender and juicy, melting in the mouth.
  • Shopping Tips Significance: Selecting a fresh, well-trimmed pork tenderloin ensures optimal flavor and tenderness, avoiding tough or overly fatty pieces.
Chopped onions:
  • Aromatic Foundation Builder: Onions, when slow-cooked, release sulfur compounds that create a savory, aromatic base, building the foundation of the sauce's flavor.
  • Sweetness and Caramelization: Over extended cooking, onions caramelize, releasing their natural sugars and adding a subtle sweetness that balances the sauce's acidity.
  • Texture Enhancer: They soften and meld into the sauce, adding a tender, slightly sweet texture.
Balsamic vinegar:
  • Tangy Acidity and Depth: Balsamic vinegar provides a complex, tangy acidity with subtle sweet notes, creating a rich, nuanced sauce.
  • Flavor Complexity and Nuance: It contributes a unique flavor profile, balancing sweetness and tartness, adding depth to the dish.
  • Tenderizing Powerhouse: The acidity of balsamic vinegar acts as a natural tenderizer, breaking down the pork's fibers during slow cooking, resulting in exceptionally tender meat.
Water:
  • Liquid Base and Moisture Retention: Water provides the necessary liquid base for the sauce, ensuring the pork remains moist and tender throughout the slow cooking process.
  • Sauce Consistency and Volume: It helps create a consistent sauce texture and provides the necessary volume for slow cooking.
  • Flavor Dilution Control: Controls the concentration of the other sauce ingredients, preventing the sauce from becoming overly intense.
Honey:
  • Natural Sweetness and Balance: Honey adds a natural sweetness that balances the acidity of the balsamic vinegar and the savory notes of the other ingredients.
  • Glossy Texture and Viscosity: It contributes to a glossy, slightly sticky texture in the sauce, enhancing its visual appeal and mouthfeel.
  • Flavor Enhancement and Depth: It enhances the overall flavor profile, adding a subtle floral sweetness.
Worcestershire sauce:
  • Umami Richness and Depth: Worcestershire sauce provides a savory, umami-rich flavor that adds depth and complexity to the sauce.
  • Tangy Notes and Complexity: It contributes subtle tangy notes, balancing the sweetness and acidity, and adding layers of flavor.
  • Flavor Enhancement and Balance: It enhances the overall flavor profile, adding a savory depth that complements the other ingredients.
Reduced-sodium soy sauce (or Tamari):
  • Savory Umami and Saltiness: Soy sauce adds a savory, umami flavor that enhances the depth of the sauce, while reduced-sodium options help control salt intake.
  • Flavor Enhancement and Depth: It contributes to the overall flavor profile, adding a salty, savory dimension.
  • Gluten-Free Accessibility: Tamari provides a gluten-free alternative for those with dietary restrictions, ensuring inclusivity.
Chopped fresh garlic cloves:
  • Pungent Savoryness and Aroma: Fresh garlic adds a pungent, savory flavor that elevates the overall taste of the dish.
  • Aromatic Intensity and Appeal: It releases a strong, aromatic scent that enhances the sensory experience.
  • Flavor Complexity and Depth: Adds a complex, savory depth that complements the other flavors in the sauce.
Red pepper flakes:
  • Subtle Heat and Kick: Red pepper flakes add a subtle heat that complements the sweetness and tanginess of the sauce.
  • Flavor Complexity and Depth: They contribute to the complexity of the sauce's flavor profile, adding a subtle warmth.
  • Adjustable Heat Level and Customization: The amount of red pepper flakes can be adjusted to control the heat level, catering to individual preferences.

How to Make Easy, Crock-Pot Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

Enjoy a tender, flavorful pork tenderloin with minimal effort using this simple Crock-Pot method, perfect for busy weeknights.
Step 1: Prepare the Crock-Pot
  • Pork Placement:
    • Place the 1ยฝ pounds of boneless pork tenderloin directly into the Crock-Pot.
  • Onion Addition:
    • Sprinkle 1 cup of chopped onions evenly over the top of the pork tenderloin and around its sides. This allows the onions to infuse the pork with flavor and create a flavorful base for the sauce.
Step 2: Prepare the Balsamic Sauce
  • Sauce Mixing:
    • In a small bowl, combine ยฝ cup of balsamic vinegar, ยฝ cup of water, ยผ cup of honey, 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons of reduced-sodium soy sauce (or Tamari for gluten-free), 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh garlic cloves, and ยผ teaspoon of red pepper flakes.
    • Mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined. This creates a flavorful, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce.
Step 3: Slow Cook the Pork
  • Sauce Pouring:
    • Pour the prepared balsamic sauce evenly over the pork tenderloin and onions in the Crock-Pot.
  • Cooking Time and Temperature:
    • Set the Crock-Pot to HIGH heat and cook for 2ยฝ-3 hours, or set it to LOW heat and cook for 5ยฝ-6 hours.
    • Note: Crock-Pot cooking times can vary. Always check the pork for doneness using a meat thermometer. The pork should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius) for medium-rare, or 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) for1 medium.
  • Doneness Check:
    • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the pork is cooked through. If it needs more time, continue cooking in 30-minute increments.
Step 4: Slice and Serve
  • Pork Removal:
    • Once the pork is cooked, carefully remove it from the Crock-Pot and transfer it to a cutting board.
  • Slicing:
    • Using a sharp knife, cut the pork tenderloin into thin slices.
  • Serving Dish Placement:
    • Arrange the sliced pork tenderloin on a serving dish.
  • Sauce Application:
    • Pour approximately ยฝ cup of the sauce from the Crock-Pot, including the cooked onions, over the sliced pork.
  • Leftover Sauce:
    • The remaining sauce can be reserved for other uses, such as mashed potatoes, chicken, or beef.
Tips for Success:
  • Pork Quality: Use a high-quality pork tenderloin for the best flavor and texture.
  • Crock-Pot Variation: Adjust cooking times based on your Crock-Pot's performance.
  • Internal Temperature: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the pork is cooked to a safe internal temperature.
  • Sauce Reduction: If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can simmer the leftover sauce on the stovetop to reduce it.
  • Flavor Adjustment: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
  • Serving Suggestions: Serve the pork with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or rice.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use Tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free meal.
  • Leftover Storage: Store any leftover pork and sauce in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Helpful Tips About this Recipe

Makes 5 servings, Each serving about 5 ounces sliced pork plus sauce (the pork does shrink a bit when cooked)

Healthy Benefits

Pork tenderloin is a very lean meat choice. Itโ€™s a good source of B vitamins. It also contains thiamin, magnesium, iron and zinc, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B-6. When it comes to thiamin, pork tenderloin is one of the best natural sources and the meat contains nearly half of the recommended daily allowance of niacin.

Shopping Tips

Most supermarkets sell pork tenderloin. I bought mine at Trader Joeโ€™s.

WW Freestyle SmartPoints
4-Blue
WW SmartPoints
5-Green
SKINNY FACTS:ย for 1 serving
206 calories, 5g fat, 1.8g sat. fat, 90mg chol, 30g prot, 12g carbs, 1g fiber, 224mg sodium, 7g sugar
FACTS:ย for Freestyle SmartPoints
186 calories, 2g sat. fat, 9g protein, 7g sugar

 

Skinny, Crock-Pot Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

Easy Crock-Pot Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Mediterranean
Servings 5
Calories 206 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1ยฝ pounds boneless pork tenderloin, see shopping tips
  • 1 cup onions, chopped
  • ยฝ cup balsamic vinegar
  • ยฝ cup water
  • ยผ cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce (use Tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh garlic cloves, chopped
  • ยผ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

  • Place pork tenderloin in crock-pot.ย  Sprinkle onions over top and surround the pork. In a small bowl, mix together all remaining ingredients. Pour over pork and set the timer for crock-pot, 2ยฝ-3 hours on Highย orย cook on Low heat for5 ยฝ-6 hours. The cook time varies a bit depending on your crock-pot.
  • Once the pork has cooked, remove from crock-pot onto a cutting board. Cut pork into thin slices. Add pork slices to a serving dish. Pour about ยฝ cup of sauce including onions over pork. You only use half the sauce. Note: the Skinny Facts were calculated using ยฝ cup of sauce. The leftover sauce is great to use mashed into a baked potato or drizzle over leftover chicken or beef if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 5ouncesCalories: 206kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 30gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1.8gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 224mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gBlue Smart Points: 4Green Smart Points: 5Plus Points: 5
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

10 Comments

  1. Hello,
    I made this pork recipe tonight and calculated it to my freestyle and it says 6 points. Not the 4 you had, how did you get 4?
    Thank you.

  2. Theresa, I just checked my calculations again and still get 4 Freestyle Points. I use a site to do all of my Skinny Facts on Spark Recipes-https://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-calculator.asp
    Maybe the pork in this program is different then Weight Watchers.
    All the best,
    Nancy

  3. I made this w chicken breast as it’s what I had, my points came to 6, how did you get 4?

  4. Connie,

    I just redid my skinny facts and ww calculations and still got 4 freestyle points. The vinegar, soy sauce, onions and garlic are all 0 points.

    All the best,
    Nancy

  5. Your recipe is delicious. Sometimes when I make this I replace the garlic cloves with garlic powder, add a little salt and mix with the red pepper flakes, then rub it over the pork. I usually brown the tenderloin on all sides before adding to my crockpot. Regardless of which way you make it the meat is moist, tender and absolutely yummy. Thank you, Nancy!

  6. Jeanne, I love the sound of what you do sometimes! I’m going to try it. I love Trader Joe’s garlic salt I plan to use that and not add any salt.
    Thanks for sharing!
    My best,
    Nancy

  7. As far as I know pork tenderloin does not have a bone. I agree that it looks like a pork loin. My grocery store sometimes call it a tenderloin, but it’s not.

  8. Jill, I bought the pork tenderloin at Trader Joeโ€™s and it was boneless.
    Maybe that happened in my case.
    In any event, it’s super easy to make and so good!
    My best,
    Nancy

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