Description
Succulent slow cooker pineapple pork loin brings tropical flavors to your dinner table. Hawaiian-inspired ingredients blend perfectly with tender meat, creating a mouthwatering meal you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs (1.36 kg) boneless pork loin
- 20 oz (567 g) pineapple chunks (preserved in 100% pineapple juice)
- 2 tbsps minced garlic
- 1/3 cup coconut aminos
- 2 tbsps olive oil or avocado oil
- 2 tsps chili powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1.5 tbsps arrowroot flour (optional)
- 2 tbsps water (optional, for thickening sauce)
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker by spreading pineapple chunks and juice across the bottom, creating a flavorful base for the pork loin.
- Mix chili powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Massage the spice blend thoroughly into the entire surface of the pork loin, ensuring complete coverage.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Sear the seasoned pork loin for 2-3 minutes on each side until a golden-brown crust develops, enhancing the meat’s flavor profile.
- Gently place the seared pork loin atop the pineapple chunks in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours for sliceable meat, or up to 8 hours for easily shreddable texture.
- Once cooking is complete, remove the pork from the slow cooker. Create a smooth slurry by whisking arrowroot flour with water, then stir into the cooking liquid to develop a rich, thickened sauce.
- Slice or shred the pork according to preference. Reintroduce the meat to the slow cooker, coating it with the thickened pineapple sauce, or plate and drizzle sauce over the top. Serve immediately while hot and aromatic.
Notes
- Maximize flavor by searing the pork loin before slow cooking, creating a delightful golden crust that locks in rich, deep tastes.
- Choose a fatty cut like pork shoulder for extra tenderness and juiciness if traditional loin feels too lean.
- Adjust cooking time based on meat thickness; thinner cuts require shorter cooking periods to prevent drying out.
- Replace arrowroot with cornstarch or tapioca starch for sauce thickening without compromising texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 347 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 477 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg