Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin

I made this pork for the family the other night, and we all snarfed it down! The sauce is unexpected, almost like a Carolina BBQ sauce flavor, but not quite. So tasty! Adapted from here.


Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin

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2 lbs. pork tenderloin
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 c. maple syrup (cut in 1/2 if using pure syrup)
1 tsp. minced garlic
4 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp. honey
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. dried thyme crumbled
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 Tbsp. cold water

Sprinkle tenderloin lightly with salt and pepper.
Place pork in a slow cooker sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
Combine syrup, garlic, mustard, honey, brown sugar, vinegar, and thyme. Pour over the pork.
Turn pork to coat thoroughly.
Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hrs (check temp around 6.5 hours - pork should be cooked to ~150 degrees F), or on HIGH for 3-4 hrs.
Remove pork to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
Pour the juices into a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Simmer for 5 min.
Combine the cornstarch and cold water; whisk into the reduced juices and cook for 1 min. longer.
Slice the pork and serve with the thickened juices.

Serves 6.

Slow Cooker Hawaiian BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

This is the pulled pork recipe I made for the pool party... we've really enjoyed the leftovers! (Adapted from here.)

Slow Cooker Hawaiian BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

1 3-lb. pork shoulder, butt roast, or pork tenderloin
1/2 c. brown sugar, plus 2 Tbsp. for rub
1 20-oz. can pineapple rings, juice reserved
2 tsp. liquid smoke
1 c. + BBQ sauce (we like Sweet Baby Ray's)
King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls for serving

Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
Take 2 Tbsp. of brown sugar and rub on all sides of the roast; set roast in slow cooker.
In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 c. brown sugar, juice from can of pineapple rings, liquid smoke, and BBQ sauce. Pour over roast in slow cooker.
Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours.
Shred roast (it will literally fall apart)

Scoop shredded pork onto individual rolls, top with a pineapple ring if desired, and serve.

Serves 6-8.

Brown Sugar & Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin

I made this delicious pork recipe last weekend for the boys... and we LOVED it!  You could easily adapt it to pork chops (in the crockpot, as well), and we're already making plans to add the glaze to grilled chicken this summer.  (Recipe adapted from here.)

Brown Sugar & Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin

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Pork Loin:
1 (2-3 lb.) boneless pork loin
1 tsp. ground sage
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 c. water

Glaze:
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
1/2 c. water
2 Tbsp. soy sauce

Combine sage, salt, pepper and garlic. Rub over roast.
Place in slow cooker with 1/2 c. water.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

About 1 hour before roast is done, combine ingredients for glaze in small sauce pan.
Heat and stir until mixture thickens.
Brush roast with glaze 2-3 times during the last hour of cooking.
Serve with remaining glaze on the side.

Easy Crock Pot BBQ Ribs

I had never made ribs before these, but this recipe made it look so easy, I couldn't resist.  They did not disappoint!  Super messy, so have wet wipes handy!  (I adapted this recipe from here.)

Easy Crock Pot BBQ Ribs

RUB
2 Tbsp. paprika
2 Tbsp. packed brown sugar
1 Tbsp. kosher salt
1/2 Tbsp. ground black pepper

RIBS
5-6 lbs. baby back ribs (St. Louis-style spare ribs)
2-3 c. favorite BBQ sauce (we prefer Sweet Baby Ray's)

Combine paprika, brown sugar, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
Rub the mixture over the meaty side of the ribs.
Place ribs in slow cooker standing them upright with the meaty side against the wall of the cooker.
Pour the BBQ sauce over the ribs.
Cook on low for 4-5 hours until tender.
Remove ribs and allow to sit for 15 minutes (cover with foil).
Cut ribs apart.
Cover with BBQ sauce left in cooker if desired.