Pork tenderloin is a great cut of meat that can take on just about any flavor you throw at it. It's relatively inexpensive and easy to find but can dry out and ruin a meal if overcooked. One fool proof method to making a perfect pork tenderloin is to use a slow cooker. The low heat and liquid immersion keeps it juicy and so simple anyone can put a delicious dinner on the table at the end of the day. Today's recipe, Slow Cooker Ginger Garlic Pork, is a prime example of combining Asian flavors with a Western cooking method for a meal so good your family and friends will be coming back for seconds and thirds! If you like Asian food but don't have the time or skill to make a stir fry, this recipe is for you...Let's Get Cooking!
In order to make this Slow Cooker Ginger Garlic Pork, we need to begin by making a simple Asian-inspired dry rub for the pork tenderloin. In a small mixing bowl, combine the garlic salt, granulated garlic, granulated onion, paprika, cinnamon, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Give the mixture a quick stir to evenly distribute all the spices.
Pork tenderloins usually come in a package of 2, weighing about 1 pound each. Lay out the tenderloins and generously apply the rub to all sides. Once they are coated, start by adding some chicken stock to the bottom of your slow cooker then carefully laying the pork tenderloins down being careful not to rinse off the dry rub. Some will inevitably come off and mix in with the stock, but that's ok. I made a double batch when I first did this recipe so you should only have 1-2 tenderloins and not 4 like pictured below, if you are following the base recipe. Obviously, it can be doubled quite simply for feeding larger crowds.
Next, grab a few garlic cloves and give them a quick smash to release the oils. Toss them in the slow cooker with the pork tenderloins. Set the slow cooker to LOW and let the pork cook for 8 hours.
At some point while the pork tenderloins cook, preferably during the last 30 minutes or so, we need to make the sauce that finishes the pork and fortifies all those wonderful flavors we started with in the dry rub. In a small saucepan, combine some brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, chili garlic paste, ginger paste, and sesame oil. Simmer the mixture over Medium heat for about 10 minutes or so, until the sauce starts to thicken up to a glaze-like consistency.
After 8 hours, the pork is done and the slow cooker can be shut off. Your kitchen should be smelling pretty damn good about right now between the pork and the glaze itself.
Before serving the pork, there is one additional optional step, if you want to take it to the next level. Transfer the pork tenderloins over to a baking sheet and cover them with about half the sauce. Broil them in the oven for 3 to 4 minutes to slightly crisp up the pork and set the sauce. This is completely optional, however, and can easily be skipped to save washing another pan, just saying! I ended up skipping it myself and just adding the sauce to the pork as is for serving and thought it was just fine.
This Slow Cooker Ginger Garlic Pork can be served with rice or noodles to keep with the Asian theme, but feel free to go with mashed potatoes or cauliflower as well. The extra sauce will soak in and be absolutely delicious so by all means, use whatever you have on hand already. This sweet and savory pork is packed full of flavor, but not spicy at all, so even the kids will love this one if you have those pesky picky eaters! This recipe is another great meal prep option as well since reheating the pork with extra sauce keeps it juicy and moist. No matter how you decide to serve or enjoy this Slow Cooker Ginger Garlic Pork, just get in the kitchen and give it a try next time you want to enjoy something a bit different with little to no effort...Just Keep Cooking!
SLOW COOKER GINGER GARLIC PORK
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