Effortless Balsamic Honey Pork Loin
This Effortless Balsamic Honey Pork Loin recipe creates a tender, flavorful main dish with minimal fuss, perfect for a weeknight meal. Sear the pork, then let it slow cook in a delicious balsamic honey sauce, with an optional gravy to finish.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Heavy-bottomed skillet
- Meat Thermometer
- Cutting Board
- Saucepan
Ingredients
Pork Loin
- 3 pounds boneless pork loin trimmed
Spice Rub
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.75 teaspoon sea salt
- 0.75 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 0.25 cup balsamic vinegar
- 0.25 cup honey (or sugar-free honey for a lighter option)
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (or cornstarch, for thickening, optional)
Instructions
- Gently trim any excess fat from the pork loin, leaving just a thin layer for moisture. Pat the roast completely dry with paper towels to help with searing.
- In a small bowl, combine the paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Generously rub this aromatic spice blend all over the pork loin.
- Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet (like cast iron) over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Carefully sear the pork loin for 2-4 minutes on each side until it develops a beautiful golden-brown crust. Transfer the seared pork loin to your slow cooker, fat-side up.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, balsamic vinegar, and honey until thoroughly combined. Pour this flavorful liquid directly over the pork loin in the slow cooker.
- Cook the pork loin on the LOW setting for 2-3 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 1-1.5 hours. It’s done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 145-150°F (63-66°C). For the juiciest results, aim for the lower end of the temperature range.
- Once cooked, carefully remove the pork loin to a cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it crosswise. You can serve it immediately, drizzling with the savory cooking liquid, or proceed to the next step to create a rich gravy.
- Optional Gravy Step: To make a luscious gravy, pour the cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a medium saucepan. Bring it to a medium-high heat and whisk in the arrowroot powder. Let it gently simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until it thickens to your preferred consistency. Spoon this delicious gravy over your sliced pork loin and enjoy!
Notes
For the juiciest results, aim for the lower end of the temperature range (145-150°F).
Nutrition Information (per serving): Calories: 373, Total Carbs: 8.3g, Net Carbs: 3.9g, Fats: 14g, Protein: 51.8g
