Savory Slow-Cooked Pork Loin with Gravy
This savory slow-cooked pork loin recipe is perfect for busy days when you want a hearty meal with minimal effort. Juicy and tender, the pork loin is seared to perfection and then slow-cooked in a blend of flavorful garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and onion soup mix. The resulting dish is not only wonderful for dinner but also makes delicious leftovers for crafting a frugal and comforting pork noodle soup. Serve it alongside roasted vegetables or creamy mashed potatoes for a nourishing, well-rounded meal that the whole family will love.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pork Loin
3 lbs (whole)
Vegetable Oil
3 tablespoons (divided)
Worcestershire Sauce
1 tablespoon (liquid)
Onion
1 medium (sliced)
Bay Leaf
1 (whole)
Garlic
2 tablespoons (minced)
Beef Broth
3/4 cup (liquid)
Onion Soup Mix
1 (1.25 ounce) envelope (dry)
Salt
to taste (as needed)
Pepper
to taste (as needed)
All-Purpose Flour
2 tablespoons (mixed with cold water)
Cold Water
2 tablespoons (for mixing)
Instructions
1
Gather your cooking tools: a frying pan, tongs, and a crock pot.
2
Pat the pork loin dry with paper towels to ensure effective browning.
3
In the frying pan, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over high heat.
4
Coat the pork loin with the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil and season it generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
5
Once the oil is hot, indicated by a few drops of water dancing in the skillet, carefully add the pork loin.
6
Sear the pork loin for 3-5 minutes on each side, including the ends, without moving it too soon for optimal browning.
7
Transfer the browned pork loin to the crock pot.
8
In the crock pot, layer the sliced onions on top of the pork loin, followed by the onion soup mix.
9
Deglaze the frying pan by adding the beef broth, bay leaf, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic, scraping the bottom to incorporate all flavorful bits.
10
Pour the deglazed sauce over the pork loin in the crock pot and cover with the lid.
11
Set the crock pot to low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours, until the pork is tender and easily pulled apart.
12
Once done, remove the pork loin and place it on a platter.
13
In a small bowl, mix the cold water with 2 tablespoons of flour to create a slurry.
14
Pour the remaining juices from the crock pot into the frying pan and add the flour slurry.
15
Bring the mixture to a boil while whisking continuously until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
16
Adjust the amount of flour if you have more than 1 cup of liquid, ensuring to maintain the cold water mixing method to prevent lumps.
17
Serve the pork loin with your choice of roasted vegetables or creamy mashed potatoes and enjoy it with homemade garlic toast or crusty French bread.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein used in this recipe?
The main protein is a 3-pound whole pork loin.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to serve 6 people.
What size pork loin is required?
You will need a 3-pound pork loin.
Why should I pat the pork loin dry before cooking?
Patting the meat dry with paper towels ensures effective browning during the searing stage.
How much vegetable oil is needed for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in total, divided for searing and coating.
What is the recommended searing time for the pork?
Sear the pork loin for 3-5 minutes on each side, including the ends.
What should I use to deglaze the frying pan?
Deglaze the pan with 3/4 cup of beef broth, one bay leaf, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and 2 tablespoons of minced garlic.
How long does the pork cook on the low setting?
On the low setting, the pork loin should cook for 6-8 hours.
Can I cook this recipe faster on a high setting?
Yes, you can cook the pork on the high setting for 4-6 hours until tender.
What ingredients are layered on top of the pork in the crock pot?
Layer sliced onions and one envelope of dry onion soup mix on top of the pork loin.
How do I know when the pork is finished cooking?
The pork is done when it is tender and can be easily pulled apart with a fork.
How is the gravy thickened?
The gravy is thickened by whisking a slurry of 2 tablespoons of flour and 2 tablespoons of cold water into the juices.
Why is cold water used for the flour slurry?
Cold water is used to prevent lumps from forming when the flour is added to the hot liquid.
What are the suggested side dishes for this meal?
It is recommended to serve the pork with roasted vegetables or creamy mashed potatoes.
What type of bread pairs well with this dish?
Homemade garlic toast or crusty French bread makes an excellent accompaniment.
Can I use the leftovers for another recipe?
Yes, the leftovers are perfect for making a frugal and comforting pork noodle soup.
What kind of broth is used in this recipe?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of beef broth.
Is garlic used in this slow-cooked pork recipe?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of minced garlic are added to the deglazing liquid.
How much Worcestershire sauce should I use?
Use 1 tablespoon of liquid Worcestershire sauce.
What kind of onion soup mix is needed?
You will need one 1.25-ounce envelope of dry onion soup mix.
What tools are required to prepare this dish?
You will need a frying pan, tongs, a crock pot, and a whisk.
Do I need to season the meat before searing?
Yes, coat the pork with oil and season it generously with salt and pepper on all sides before searing.
How do I adjust the gravy if I have more than one cup of liquid?
You should increase the amount of flour in the slurry accordingly to maintain the desired thickness.
Is the onion soup mix added to the pan or the crock pot?
The dry onion soup mix is added directly to the crock pot on top of the pork and onions.
How many onions are used?
One medium onion, sliced, is required for this recipe.
Should I move the pork frequently while searing?
No, you should avoid moving it too soon to ensure optimal browning on the surface.
When do I add the bay leaf?
The bay leaf is added to the frying pan during the deglazing process before the liquid is poured into the crock pot.
What do I do with the juices left in the crock pot?
Transfer the juices to a frying pan and thicken them with a flour slurry to create the gravy.
Is this recipe suitable for busy days?
Yes, it is described as an easy recipe with minimal effort, ideal for busy schedules.
What is the texture of the pork after cooking?
The pork should be juicy, tender, and easily pulled apart.