Place that succulent pork loin into your slow cooker, and let it soak up the delightful flavors of a sweet-tart grilled pineapple marinade. Imagine the perfect balance of brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, and fresh pineapple, coming together to create a vibrant tropical dish.
Tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor, this dish transports you straight to a sun-soaked paradise! Whether served over fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or vibrant roasted veggies, this slow-cooked masterpiece is sure to delight your taste buds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Effortless Cooking: Let the slow cooker do all the work while you enjoy your day. The aroma of sweet, savory, and tropical flavors will fill your home!
✔ Flavor Explosion: The sweet pineapple pairs beautifully with tangy vinegar and savory soy sauce, creating a magical sauce.
✔ Unbelievably Tender: Slow cooking transforms pork loin into a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
✔ Versatile Meal: Serve this pork shredded for tacos, sandwiches, rice bowls, or even over roasted vegetables.
✔ Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: A hit with the little ones, yet sophisticated enough for adults who enjoy a kick of spice.
Essential Ingredients
Pork Loin Roast
- Lean, tender, and perfect for slow cooking. It absorbs marinades beautifully and falls apart effortlessly when cooked low and slow.
Sliced Onion
- Adds sweetness and depth to the dish.
- For extra richness, sauté the onions before adding them to the slow cooker.
Brown Sugar & Honey
- Dark brown sugar brings molasses richness, complementing the caramelized pineapple flavors.
- Honey adds natural sweetness and enhances the sauce’s silky texture.
Apple Cider Vinegar
- Cuts through the sweetness, adding a delightful tang.
Soy Sauce
- Brings umami depth, perfectly balancing the sweet and tangy notes.
- For a gluten-free option, use tamari or coconut aminos.
Garlic
- Fresh minced garlic infuses the sauce with an earthy contrast to the sweet pineapple and honey.
Fresh Pineapple Chunks
- Naturally sweet & juicy, they caramelize beautifully, adding a burst of tropical flavor.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (Optional)
- For a little heat! If you like a spicy-sweet balance, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha.
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How to Make Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork
Step 1: Sear the Pork for Maximum Flavor
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Drizzle in olive oil, then sear a 2-3 lb pork loin roast for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- This locks in juices and creates a caramelized crust.
Pro Tip: This step isn’t required but adds rich depth to your dish!
- Transfer the pork to your slow cooker.
Step 2: Prepare the Marinade
In a mixing bowl, whisk together:
✔ ½ cup dark brown sugar
✔ ¾ cup apple cider vinegar
✔ ½ cup honey
✔ ¼ cup soy sauce
✔ 2 teaspoons salt
✔ 3 cloves minced garlic
✔ ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Pro Tip: This marinade will infuse the pork with a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory notes.
Step 3: Add Everything to the Slow Cooker
- Thinly slice 1 onion and scatter around the pork.
- Pour the marinade evenly over the pork and onions.
- Add 2 cups of fresh pineapple chunks around the pork.
The pineapple juice will mix with the marinade, creating a rich, caramelized sauce as it slow cooks!
Step 4: Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Magic
- Low heat: 6-8 hours for maximum tenderness.
- High heat: 4-5 hours if you’re short on time.
As the pork cooks, it will soak up the pineapple-infused marinade, becoming incredibly juicy and flavorful.
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
For a thicker sauce:
- Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to create a slurry.
- Stir the slurry into the slow cooker 30 minutes before serving.
- Let it simmer until the sauce becomes rich and velvety.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy!
✔ Slice the pork into thick, juicy pieces or shred it with forks for a pulled pork vibe.
✔ Drizzle the rich pineapple sauce over the top.
✔ Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for an extra burst of freshness.
Serving Suggestions
✔ Over Rice: Pair with fluffy jasmine or coconut rice to soak up the sweet-tangy sauce.
✔ With Roasted Vegetables: Serve with caramelized carrots, broccoli, or green beans for a vibrant, balanced meal.
✔ As Tacos or Sliders: Shred the pork and stuff into soft tortillas or Hawaiian rolls with crunchy coleslaw.
✔ With Plantains: Caramelized plantains complement the sweet pineapple sauce beautifully!
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
✔ Refrigerate Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
✔ Freezing Option: Freeze with sauce for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
✔ Reheating:
- Skillet: Warm over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce.
- Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring occasionally.
Creative Twists & Variations
🌶️ Spicy Kick: Add extra red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the marinade.
🥥 Tropical Twist: Replace brown sugar with coconut sugar and serve with coconut rice.
🍍 Extra Pineapple: Grill additional pineapple slices for a caramelized topping.
🌿 Fresh Herbs: Add rosemary and thyme to the slow cooker for an earthy depth of flavor.
🥗 Lighter Option: Serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
Final Thoughts: A Taste of the Tropics!
Imagine sinking your teeth into fall-apart tender pork infused with sweet pineapple, rich honey, and tangy vinegar.
This Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork is:
✔ Easy to make
✔ Unbelievably flavorful
✔ Perfect for weeknight dinners & special occasions
🔥 So grab your slow cooker, let the flavors work their magic, and get ready for a meal that will transport you straight to the tropics! 🌴🍍🍖
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.
