Slow Cooker Balsamic Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin

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Slow Cooker Balsamic Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin takes five minutes to put together and makes a healthy, tender, sweet, and savory pork dish.

208 CAL 9g CARBS 4g FAT 32g PROTEIN
7 Comments

Slow Cooker Balsamic Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin couldn't be easier to make and is a dish you will want to eat over and over again. It's sweet, savory, and good enough to serve to company on a special occasion. Serve it with some Crispy Balsamic Brussels Sprouts or Mashed Cauliflower.

In case you haven’t noticed, I am obsessed with balsamic glaze these days. I am putting it on everything. Salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and now pork. Usually I make my own by simply reducing some balsamic vinegar but you can also buy it on Amazon or Trader Joe’s has a great one. So predictably, I made this delicious slow cooker balsamic brown sugar pork tenderloin last week and had to trash it up with some glaze. With or without the added glaze, the pork comes out deliciously tender.

It is a bit sweet and tangy from the combination of vinegar and brown sugar. Honey would work great as well. I decided to hold back on the herbs this time around but thyme, rosemary, or sage would all be delicious. My family isn't always super into fresh herbs in dishes like this so I usually I add some to my dish after so I can get the flavors I love but everyone else is happy. We also love a touch of spice in everything, so I add just a hint of chili powder. You can leave it out or kick it up a notch depending on what your family likes.

Here are some things to keep in mind when preparing this Slow Cooker Balsamic Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin:

  • Although I love the taste of pork in this recipe, if you don't eat pork it will definitely work with chicken as well. Boneless skinless thighs will ensure you end up with a tender, moist chicken dish. Chicken breasts will also work as would bone in chicken with the skin removed. Recently a few people have asked about a lean pork roast, that would work as well.
  • For a thicker glaze for the pork, make sure to take the time to reduce the sauce after the pork is finished cooking. This step is absolutely worth it and you will want to lick up every last drop of the thick, sweet balsamic glaze. If you won't have time for this, consider buying some balsamic glaze to drizzle on top when serving.
  • Fresh herbs make a lovely addition to the dish and you could include rosemary, thyme, oregano, or marjoram. You can also decide how much spice to include - adding more chili powder or leaving it out completely. Red pepper flakes also work well.

Crockpot Balsamic Pork Tenderloin cut into slices on a wooden plate.

Side Dish Ideas for Crockpot Balsamic Pork

This tender pork is such a comforting meal, that it is best served with other warm and comforting dishes in my opinion. Here are a few of our favorites.

  • Anything mashed: This dish goes well with almost any mashed vegetable. You could make classic mashed potatoes, a lightened up potato and cauliflower combination, or make mashed butternut squash or celery root. 
  • Roasted veggies: Another great option is roasted vegetables. From carrots to brussels sprouts to broccoli, roasted veggies pair really well with this meal. I like to toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper and then drizzle some balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze over the top before serving.
  • Peppery salad: If you want something lighter, making a salad with a peppery green like arugula is a great option. Use arugula, roasted beets, red onion, and apple slices with a balsamic dressing to make the perfect light side dish.

Can I make this in the Instant Pot?

This recipe will definitely work in the Instant Pot but you will need to make a few adjustments. First, you will want to add the trivet to the slow cooker. Pour the chicken broth, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar into the bottom of the Instant Pot. Rub the pork with the spice mixture and place on the trivet inside the Instant Pot. Close the top and set to Manual mode for 7 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release. Remove the pork and set aside to rest. Meanwhile turn the Instant Pot to Saute and bring the sauce to a boil for 3-5 minutes until it thickens. Serve over the sliced pork.

Looking for more healthy slow cooker pork recipes?

Here are some of the products I used when making this recipe.

  • Slow Cooker: There are so many different slow cookers on the market but I personally use this one that allows me to brown, sear, or saute in the same pan. Plus I find the cooking temperature to be really even and consistent.

This recipe was originally published in 2014 with the photo below. It has been updated with new photos, video, and information.

Slow Cooker Balsamic Brown Sugar Pork with a dark background.

The Recipe
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Slow Cooker Balsamic Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin

208 CAL 9g CARBS 4g FAT 32g PROTEIN
PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 8 Hours
TOTAL TIME: 8 Hours, 5 Min
7 Comments
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 2 lbs lean pork tenderloin
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar (or honey/maple syrup or Stevia for low carb)
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder (or more to taste)
  • salt and pepper

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Instructions

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1

Combine the vinegar, chicken broth, and soy sauce.

2

Combine the sugar, cumin, garlic powder, chile powder if using, salt, and pepper. Be careful with the salt since the soy sauce is salty. You can always add more after cooking.

3

Rub the pork with the brown sugar mixture and place in the slow cooker. Pour vinegar mixture over top.

4

Cook on low for 6-8 hours until very tender.

5

If desired top with balsamic glaze or reduce the cooking liquid to create your own glaze.

6

For a crisp exterior, place under a hot broiler for 4-5 minutes.

Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 6 oz.
Amount Per Serving
Calories 208
Calories from Fat 31
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4g
5%
Saturated Fat 1g
5%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 98mg
33%
Sodium 393mg
17%
Total Carbohydrate 9g
3%
Dietary Fiber 0g
1%
Sugars 9g
Protein 32g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
† We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
7 Comments
On Slow Cooker Balsamic Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin
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Mary
August 7, 2022 - 14:08
Thanks for providing the nutrition info! Are the portions based on raw or cooked meat? Not sure how much is a serving (calories based on raw or cooked).
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October 4, 2022 - 18:42
The calories are calculated with the weight of the raw pork. Most likely the portion size will be slightly smaller once it is cooked.
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mom to many
March 11, 2020 - 11:42
This was delicious. It went well with mashed potatoes and seasoned green beans for our large family.
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Katrina Richmond
April 14, 2016 - 16:18
Add a Rating:
5
Oh my goodness. This was amazing. Very tender and great flavor.
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Maria Luciano
April 10, 2016 - 05:02
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5
Super easy recipe! Most ingredients are in your cupboard, and most importantly, it cooks itself! It was such a big hit, I'm re-creating it for a dinner party!
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Macc Schmudlach
March 28, 2016 - 19:26
Add a Rating:
5
superb !
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Diane Crowley
January 11, 2016 - 09:54
Add a Rating:
5
Love this!! Serve with rice and vegs
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