Tender, flavorful pork loin slow-cooked to perfection with a tangy-sweet pineapple marinade. The combination of brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, and fresh pineapple creates a rich, tropical dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or with your favorite roasted vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Effortless Cooking: The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, letting you enjoy a stress-free day while your house fills with an irresistible aroma.
Unbeatable Flavor: The combination of sweet pineapple, tangy vinegar, and savory soy sauce creates a marinade that’s pure magic.
Perfectly Tender Pork: Slow cooking ensures the pork is juicy, tender, and packed with flavor.
Versatile Dish: Serve it over rice, pair it with roasted vegetables, or shred it for tacos or sandwiches—the options are endless!
Family-Friendly: This recipe is sweet enough for kids to enjoy, with an optional kick of spice for the adults.
Key Ingredients
Pork Loin Roast: This cut of pork is lean yet tender when slow-cooked, making it the perfect centerpiece for this dish. It absorbs the marinade beautifully and becomes fork-tender.
Onion: Sliced onion adds depth and sweetness, creating a flavorful base for the dish. Sautéing the onion before adding it enhances its caramelized flavor.
Dark Brown Sugar: The molasses in dark brown sugar brings a deep, rich sweetness to the marinade, balancing out the tangy vinegar.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This ingredient adds a tangy brightness, cutting through the sweetness and enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Honey: Honey complements the brown sugar with its natural sweetness while adding a luscious, silky texture to the sauce.
Soy Sauce: Soy sauce introduces a savory umami punch, tying together the sweet and tangy flavors in the marinade.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic provides an aromatic kick, infusing the dish with bold, earthy notes.
Fresh Pineapple: Nothing beats the juicy sweetness of fresh pineapple chunks. They soften and caramelize during cooking, giving the dish its signature tropical flair.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): For a subtle heat that contrasts the sweetness, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
Instructions
Preparing the Pork
Brown the Pork Loin:
Drizzle a small amount of extra virgin olive oil into a large skillet and heat it over medium heat.
Add the 2-3 lb pork loin roast to the hot skillet and brown on all sides for about 2-3 minutes per side. This step locks in the juices and creates a flavorful crust.
Transfer the browned pork loin to the slow cooker.
Prepare the Onion:
Slice 1 onion thinly and scatter the slices around the pork loin in the slow cooker.
Optionally, sauté the onion slices in the same skillet used for browning the pork for an extra layer of flavor before adding them to the slow cooker.
Making the Marinade
Mix the Marinade:
In a medium bowl, combine:
½ cup dark brown sugar
¾ cup apple cider vinegar
½ cup honey
¼ cup soy sauce
2 teaspoons salt
3 minced garlic cloves
For a bit of heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Stir until the ingredients are fully blended.
Add the Marinade to the Slow Cooker:
Pour the prepared marinade over the pork and onions in the slow cooker, ensuring the pork is evenly coated.
Adding Pineapple and Cooking
Add the Pineapple:
Dice 2 cups of fresh pineapple into chunks and scatter them around the pork in the slow cooker. The pineapple will infuse the dish with sweetness and tropical flavor.
Cook the Pork:
Cover the slow cooker and set it to:
Low heat for 6-8 hours, or
High heat for 4-5 hours.
The pork will cook until tender and flavorful, absorbing the marinade and pineapple juices.
Finishing Touches
Thicken the Sauce (Optional):
If a thicker sauce is desired, prepare a cornstarch slurry:
Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth.
Stir the slurry into the slow cooker about 30 minutes before cooking is complete to thicken the sauce into a rich, gravy-like consistency.
Serving
Serve the Pork:
Once the pork is fully cooked and tender:
Slice it into thick, juicy pieces, or
Shred it with forks for a pulled pork-style presentation.
Add the Sauce:
Pour the sauce from the slow cooker over the pork and pineapple, or serve it on the side as a gravy.
Garnish:
Sprinkle freshly chopped herbs like parsley or cilantro over the dish for added color and freshness.
Enjoy:
Serve with sides such as rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve over steamed white or jasmine rice to soak up the sweet and tangy sauce.
Pair with roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or green beans for a balanced meal.
For a tropical twist, add a side of coconut rice or fried plantains.
Shred the pork and use it as a filling for tacos or sliders, topped with coleslaw for crunch.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze: The pork freezes beautifully! Store in a freezer-safe container with the sauce for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in 30-second intervals, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
Variations
Spicy Kick: Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the marinade for extra heat.
Tropical Flair: Swap fresh pineapple for canned pineapple chunks in juice (not syrup) if fresh isn’t available.
Gluten-Free Option: Use tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce for a gluten-free dish.
Low-Sugar Version: Replace brown sugar with coconut sugar or reduce the honey for a lighter option.
Herbal Twist: Add sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme to the slow cooker for an herby undertone.
Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork is the epitome of comfort food with a tropical twist. The sweet, tangy, and savory marinade complements the tender pork, while the juicy pineapple adds a burst of freshness. Whether you’re prepping a special meal or just need a no-fuss weeknight dinner, this recipe will leave everyone asking for seconds. Try it out—you might just discover your new favorite slow cooker dish!
Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork: Sweet and Savory Comfort
Ingredients
- 2-3 lb pork loin roast
- 1 onion sliced
- extra virgin olive oil for browning
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tsp salt
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups fresh pineapple diced
- crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tbsp cornstarch optional, for thickening
- 2 tbsp cold water for slurry
Instructions
- Drizzle olive oil into a skillet and heat over medium. Brown the pork loin roast on all sides for 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to the slow cooker. Slice the onion and scatter around the pork. Optionally, sauté the onion in the same skillet before adding to the slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, honey, soy sauce, salt, minced garlic, and optional red pepper flakes. Pour the marinade over the pork and onions in the slow cooker.
- Dice the pineapple and add to the slow cooker, scattering around the pork. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the pork is tender and absorbs the marinade flavors.
- For a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker 30 minutes before the cooking time is finished. Let the sauce thicken.
- Slice the cooked pork into thick pieces or shred it for a pulled pork-style presentation. Pour the sauce over the pork and pineapple or serve on the side as a gravy. Garnish with fresh herbs and enjoy.
