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This Slow Cooker Pork Loin and Potato Dinner is a tasty choice for those busy weeknights we all seem to have once the kids are back to school.
I know I rave about my Instant Pot and yes, I love making pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot but sometimes I just want to toss something in a slow cooker and forget about it. This is one of those times.
Slow Cooker Pork Loin and Potato Dinner!
Chances are if your schedule is anything like mine (and I bet it is), once September rolls around, not only are the kids back in school but there is soccer, CCD, gymnastics, scouts etc. You can fill in the activity but having kids means having some kind of activities. Did I mention the homework? Ugh, I hate homework as much now as I did as a kid!
My point is, all of a sudden, dinner seems a lot more difficult to pull together. This time of year is definitely when I use my slow cooker and my Instant Pot the most. I need as many "hands-off" type recipes I can get and I'm sure you can too.
One of the staples in my fridge for quick (yet worthy) meals has always been and will always be Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork. In case you missed my gazillion other posts highlighting Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork (I'll leave a list of those recipes towards the bottom of this post), they are the perfect solution to what to cook in about 30 minutes on a busy weeknight. What is not to love about perfectly marinated, perfectly seasoned fresh pork that cooks up quickly AND I can find at Walmart during my regular Walmart run? Am I right?
So this recipe isn't exactly a 30 minute meal but it does take less than 30 minutes to prep and the rest of the work is done in a slow cooker. So if it's less than 30 minutes of hands-on cooking, I consider it a 30 minute meal.
What makes this Slow Cooker Pork Dinner different than other slow cooker pork dinners?
I'll tell you what!
Most slow cooker pork recipes I stumble upon result in a shredded (or pulled) pork at the end. I didn't want that. I wanted a pork roast just like I would get from roasting in the oven.
To achieve this result here's what I did:
First, I browned the pork loin filet in a skillet. This step is totally optional and you don't have to do it, especially if you're pressed for time. But if you have an extra couple of minutes, why not?
Next, I placed my baby potatoes in the slow cooker with the broth and I placed my browned pork loin filet over the potatoes. And on top of the pork loin filet, I placed the butter. I popped the lid on and set it to low setting for 5 hours.
Side note: After about 4 hours I threw in some green beans but again, that's totally optional.
That's all. Once it's all cooked, I slice the pork loin filet and serve with the potatoes and green beans. I also spoon the cooking liquid right over everything.
If you aren't familiar (why not? I've written several posts), the Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork products are full of flavor and are easy to prepare. The Smithfield® products work with a variety of cooking methods: slow cookers, Instant Pot, grilling, saute, roasting etc. and just plain make life easier. Get on it.
Looking for more meals featuring Smithfield® products ? Here are some of my favorites from the blog:
- Grilled Pork Loin Filet w/ Green Beans
- Sheet Pan Pork w/ Fall Veggies
- Quick & Easy Pork Tenderloin w/ Foil Packet Potatoes
- Pork Loin Sliders
- Balsamic Cherry Grilled Pork
And of course, find even more by visiting the Smithfield® website. While you are there be sure to check out all the varieties you can choose from!
Printable Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Pork Loin and Potato Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 Smithfield Roasted Garlic & Herb Fresh Pork Loin Filet
- 1.5 lb baby potatoes
- ½ teaspoon salt kosher
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly cracked
- 4 T butter (half stick)
- ¾ C chicken broth
Instructions
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium/high heat. Place pork loin filet in pan and cook 4-5 minutes until browned. Turn over and brown other side. Set aside.
- Pour broth into slow cooker. Place potatoes in slow cooker and season with salt and pepper. Arrange pork loin filet over potatoes and top pork loin filet with butter.
- Cover slow cooker and set to low for 5 hours.
- After 5 hours, remove pork loin filet and slice. Spoon cooking liquid over both the pork loin filet and potatoes and serve.
Notes
- If you would like to add green beans to this dish. Place about 12 oz fresh green beans to slow cooker with 30-60 minutes left to cook time.
- If you are pressed for time you can omit the step of browning. I just prefer both the taste and the look of the browning.
If for some reason you do end up with any leftovers, don't forget, leftover pork makes an awesome addition to a skillet hash and top it all off with an egg! Yum - perfect breakfast or lunch!
Susab says
The recipe has instructions but not a list of ingredients. How big was your pork loin? How much broth?
foodyschmoody says
Sorry about that. Looks like there was a technical glitch w/ the recipe card. All should be there now.
April Radford says
I was looking for something easy to make and came across this recipe, and I am so glad I did!!!! I had a garlic and pepper pork loin and used that instead, it was delicious!!I did use 2 of the whole canned potatoes and it was just as good. My husband said it was one of the best meals ever! Thank you for posting this deliciousness!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks so much for coming back to let me know - I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Kim says
I made this for dinner and followed your directions ! It was so amazing and my family loved it ! I took the time to sear it and it turned out so good . They said you make it like this from now on ! ♥️
Gina says
Do the mini potatoes need to be quartered?
foodyschmoody says
No. I use the baby potatoes so I don't have to cut them at all!