Why is my Pork so Dry? | Crockpot Apple Cider Pork Loin

apple cider

🥗Healthier: unsweetened apple juice

💰Cheaper: white vinegar + water

Unsweetened apple juice provides similar flavor with less sugar.

brown sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: granulated sugar

Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index.

fresh thyme

🥗Healthier: dried thyme

💰Cheaper: none

Dried thyme is more accessible and has a longer shelf life.

fresh rosemary

🥗Healthier: dried rosemary

💰Cheaper: none

Dried rosemary is easier to find and store.

Remove the pork loin from packaging and pat it dry with a paper towel.

Create a dry rub with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried rosemary, crushing the rosemary between your fingertips as you sprinkle it over the meat.

Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add a couple tablespoons of olive oil.

Sear the pork loin in the skillet, cooking all four sides until a crust forms.

Prepare the crock pot by spraying it lightly with baking spray and place the seared pork loin inside.

In a bowl, combine 2 cups of apple cider, 2 tablespoons of dijon mustard, and 2 heaping tablespoons of brown sugar, stirring until mixed.

Pour the apple cider mixture over the pork loin in the crock pot and cover it.

Set the crock pot to low for 8 hours.

Slice a white onion and sauté it in the cast iron skillet with 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes until slightly browned.

Add the sautéed onions to the crock pot with the pork loin.

Halfway through cooking, remove the lid from the crock pot and flip the pork loin over, spooning some of the cider over the top.

After cooking, remove the pork loin from the crock pot, noting that it is falling apart, indicating tenderness.

Ladle some of the remaining juices into a glass measuring cup and mix in 1-2 tablespoons of corn starch until smooth.

Pour the corn starch mixture back into the juices in the crock pot to thicken them, noting that it could have been thicker if the juices were boiled separately first.

Slice the pork loin, which is very tender and falling apart, and serve it over a bed of egg noodles with steamed broccoli and the sauce poured over top.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens