Crock Pot Pulled Pork Loin

Healthy and low fat “pulled” pork from a pork loin using a slow cooker is almost no work recipe with these easy step by step photo instructions.  A great recipe for parties, tailgating and large gatherings. Use it for BBQ, use it for Mexican or anywhere you want a moist and tasty shredded pork.

Editor’s note: Originally published March 22, 2013. Updated with re-edited photos and text. Some photos are from other posts for illustration purposes.

I love pork, but pork loin is way too lean for shredding but cooking it in a spiced up braising liquid and then adding some back for moisture will get you what you want.

I modified my own oven based shredded pork loin recipe. I’m giving you two options.  One for BBQ and one for Mexican.

I consider this a great recipe for parties, tailgating and large gatherings. It makes make more than we usually want but it does freeze well. But if you want to feed BBQ a group cheap, this is it.

My Rating

No, it is not equal to slow cooked pulled pork from a smoker. BUT is darn good, moist and tasty and a heck of a lot easier and healthier.

Pro Tips: Notes on Crock Pot Pulled Pork Loin

A whole pork loin, which is usually 5-6 pounds is just too big to do this recipe. Go over to the oven method and use a larger pan. I have used that recipe several times for mss cookings.

What is Pork Loin?

Pork loin is just inside of the baby back ribs. When cut into slices, we call it pork chops. And is not a pork tenderloin which is a different cut of meat.

It is frequently sold in vacuum packs from pork processors and usually in the 5-pound range or bigger. It is great to cut into boneless pork chops or use like I do here.

It is generally so lean I’m not a fan of using it for a roast since it will usually come out tough or dry.

How to spice this?

Spice to your taste. Add some garlic, brown sugar, cayenne or crushed red pepper. I have provided instructions for both “pulled pork” loin BBQ and a Tex-Mex version which will be most uses.

Lastly, this will freeze very well, so it is a good recipe for smaller households.

Other Pulled Pork Options

Oven Pulled Pork from Pork Butt
Crock Pot Pulled Pork from Butt the Right Way
Pulled Pork on a Gas Grill – Not That Hard

Start with about 2 1/2-3 pounds of pork loin. That is half of most pork lions. The other half will freeze well.

Trim the pork loin and cut into four equal slices.

Chop a small onion.

To a medium to large size crock pot add one 14 oz can of beef broth, the chopped small onion, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon cumin for Mexican or 1 teaspoon liquid smoke for BBQ (optional).

Place the loin in the crock pot. Cook on high for 3-4 hours until falling apart.

Remove the pork and shred with a fork. Here I’m just smashing it apart with a fork.

Move all the brazing liquid to a bowl.

Add the shredded pork back to the slow cooker. Add back about 1/2 cup of the braising liquid per pound of pork. So I started with 3 pounds and added back 1 1/2 cup. You may need a little more or less. Test the moisture and add a bit more if needed.

If doing Mexican, you can add a cup of salsa. Add 1 cup BBQ sauce if your choice is BBQ. Continue to cook on low for another 30-60 minutes.

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Crock Pot Pulled Pork Loin

Votes: 195 Rating: 3.69 You: Rate this recipe!

Print Recipe

Healthy and low fat "pulled" pork from a pork loin using a slow cooker is almost no work recipe with these easy step by step photo instructions. Use it for BBQ, use it for Mexican or anywhere you want a moist and tasty shredded pork.

• CourseMain Course
• CuisineBBQ
• KeywordCrock Pot Pork Loin, Pulled Pork, Tex-Mex Pork

Servings	Prep Time
8	10 minutes

Cook Time

240 minutes

Servings Prep Time 8 10 minutes

Cook Time 240 minutes

Crock Pot Pulled Pork Loin Votes: 195 Rating: 3.69 You: Rate this recipe! Print Recipe Healthy and low fat "pulled" pork from a pork loin using a slow cooker is almost no work recipe with these easy step by step photo instructions. Use it for BBQ, use it for Mexican or anywhere you want a moist and tasty shredded pork. CourseMain Course CuisineBBQ KeywordCrock Pot Pork Loin, Pulled Pork, Tex-Mex Pork Servings Prep Time 8 10 minutes Cook Time 240 minutes Servings Prep Time 8 10 minutes Cook Time 240 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 to 3 pounds pork loin
• 1 onion small diced
• 14 oz beef broth
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For Mexican

• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 cup medium salsa

!For BBQ

• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke optional
• 1 cup BBQ sauce

Servings:

Units:MetricUS Imperial

Instructions

1. Start with about 2 1/2-3 pounds of pork loin. That is half of most pork lions. The other half will freeze well.
2. Trim the pork loin and cut into four equal slices.
3. Chop a small onion.
4. To a medium to large size crock pot add one 14 oz can of beef broth, the chopped small onion, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon cumin for Mexican or 1 teaspoon liquid smoke for BBQ (optional).
5. Place the loin in the crock pot. Cook on high for 3-4 hours until falling apart.
6. Remove the pork and shred with a fork.
7. Move all the brazing liquid to a bowl.
8. Add the shredded pork back to the slow cooker. Add back about 1/2 cup of the braising liquid per pound of pork. So I started with 3 pounds and added back 1 1/2 cup. You may need a little more or less. Test the moisture and add a bit more if needed.
9. If doing Mexican, you can add a cup of salsa. Add 1 cup BBQ sauce if your choice is BBQ. Continue to cook on low for another 30-60 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips:

1. This is a great recipe for half of a whole pork loin 2 1/2 to 3 pounds. But it fills a large crockpot. It needs to touch the bottom.
2. Use the provided options for BBQ or Tex-Mex.
3. I have had a few pork loins that are just tough. Maybe 1 in 10. They will be tough no matter what.
4. Will freeze well.
5. Nutrition calculations with salsa not BBQ sauce.

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All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.

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