Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Loin 🍖🍂

This Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Loin is a mouthwatering dish that's perfect for family gatherings or comforting weeknight dinners. The pork loin becomes tender and juicy as it cooks, infused with the tart and sweet flavors of cranberry. Serve it over fluffy mashed potatoes or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete meal that feels warm and festive! 🍽️🌟

Ingredients

For the pork loin

• 2 to 3 pounds pork loin
• 1 can (14 ounces) whole cranberry sauce
• 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For garnish

• Fresh rosemary or parsley, chopped
• Sliced oranges or cranberries (optional)

Instructions

• In a mixing bowl, combine the cranberry sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until fully combined.

🍇 This sauce is the star of the dish! Feel free to taste and adjust the sweetness or acidity according to your preference. A splash of orange juice can also enhance the flavor beautifully.

• Place the pork loin in the slow cooker and pour the cranberry sauce mixture over it, ensuring the pork is well coated.

• Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours, until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork.

⏳ If you're short on time, the high setting works just as well, but the low setting allows the flavors to meld beautifully over a longer period.

• Once cooked, remove the pork loin from the slow cooker and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing.

🔪 To keep the meat juicy, resist the urge to slice too early! Letting it rest will help retain those delicious juices.

• Serve slices of the pork drizzled with the warm cranberry sauce from the slow cooker, and garnish with fresh rosemary or parsley for a pop of color.

Variations

• Cranberry-Pineapple: Substitute half of the cranberry sauce with crushed pineapple for a tropical twist! 🍍
• Spicy: Add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture for a spicy kick!
• Gluten-free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but always check the labels if you're using packaged ingredients just to be sure.
• Herbaceous: Toss in fresh thyme or sage leaves during cooking for an extra layer of flavor that pairs well with pork.

This Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Loin is sure to impress your guests with its unique flavor profile and ease of preparation! Enjoy! 🎉✨