If you’re like me, there are busy weeknights when you want to have a scrumptious meal to serve up without dedicating hours of your life to the kitchen. Juicy pieces of tender, sweet, succulent shredded pork marinated in a mouthwatering garlic-soy sauce sauce infused with the flavor of pineapple, makes this a dish that will have everyone lining up for seconds! Then, with just a handful of pantry staples and your devoted slow cooker, you’ll get a dish so impressive and yet so effortless — a great option for family dinners, meal prep, or even hosting a small gathering.

I love making dishes like this in my slow cooker! There’s something incredibly satisfying about tossing a handful of whole foods into a pot, turning the dial and then forgetting everything until dinner. This recipe has been a go-to in my house — my family goes crazy for it every time! I frequently switch up proteins, but pork loin is a favorite when I am looking for something cozy but also lean and healthy. The way the pineapple and brown sugar come together in a sticky, caramelized sauce is utterly irresistible, and this is a recipe I find myself going back to time and again.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Loin

Super Simple: A handful of ingredients and a couple of steps to get everything into the slow cooker.
Amazing Flavor: The pork takes on all the flavors from the soy sauce, garlic and pineapple it marinates in, delivering a sweet-savory taste that’s tough to top.
Hands-Off Cooking: You do the minimum amount of prep, and then the slow cooker does the rest of the work for you — ideal for when you have things to do.
Serves a Variety of Dishes: This goes with anything from rice & veggies to salads to tacos.
Meal-Prep Friendly: Prepare a big batch and enjoy leftovers that will taste even better the next day!

Key Ingredients

Pork Loin: Pork Loin is nice here for its lean yet tender texture, but you can substitute pork shoulder or pork tenderloin if you prefer. Just remember, pork shoulder will need a little longer cook time since it has a higher fat content.
Soy Sauce: Substitute with reduced-sodium soy sauce for a lower-sodium alternative. For gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos.
Brown Sugar: You can use dark brown sugar for more molasses flavor, or substitute honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
Pineapple Chunks: If you have any fresh pineapple on hand, you can use that as well; just be sure to add in some water or chicken broth (¼ cup) to account for the canned juice.

Instructions: How to Make Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Loin

So here are our steps to nail it every time:

Prepare the Spice Rub
In a small bowl, stir together the onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and ground black pepper. This easy mix will accent the pork’s natural flavor, and it will brown beautifully as it cooks.
Season the Pork Loin
Massage the spice mix all over the pork loin roast, getting it in every possible crevice. This step allows the pork to be seasoned and flavored thoroughly in every single bite.
Sear the Pork Loin
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, carefully place the pork loin into the skillet and sear on all sides until golden-brown (about 1 to 2 minutes per side). This seals in the juices and creates a nice crust that’s going to deepen the flavor as it cooks away in the slow cooker.
Transfer to the Slow Cooker
Add the seared pork loin to the slow cooker. Add the minced garlic on top.
Add the Sauce and Pineapple
Spread the soy sauce on the pork, then add the pineapple pieces plus the juice. Generously sprinkle the brown sugar over the top. The sauce might look watery at first sight, but it will reduce as it cooks together with the pork and pineapple’s own juices.
Slow Cook
Stick the lid on and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours. The pork will be done when it’s tender and easily able to be shredded with a fork.
Serve
Go to remove pork loin from the slow cooker being careful and place it on a cutting board. Slice or shred the pork at your discretion. Serve over a bed of steamed rice or alongside roasted vegetables, and spoon the sweet and tangy pineapple sauce on top.

Serving Suggestions

This dish goes nicely with many sides, so it’s easy to build a full meal:

Serve Over Rice: White or brown rice is ideal for soaking up the sweet, savory sauce. Finish with chopped fresh herbs, such as cilantro or green onions, for a touch of color and extra flavor.
With Vegetables: Steamed or roasted veggies, like green beans, broccoli or bell peppers, balance the pork’s richness.
In Tacos or Sandwiches: Shred the pork, and use it as taco filling or pulled pork sandwich meat. Serve with a simple slaw or pickled onions for a crunchy contrast.
Over a Salad: Treat the shredded pork as a topping for a salad of crunchy greens, avocado and a citrus vinaigrette for a lighter meal.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips

Got leftovers? Here’s the way to save them and enjoy later:

There are so many ways to tailor this recipe to your liking:

Refrigeration: Store the pork and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Transfer the shredded pork and sauce to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat.
Reheating: Microwave individual portions, or put the pork into a skillet with a little sauce and heat over medium until warmed through. If the sauce has reduced too much, add a splash of water or chicken broth.

Variations and Modifications

There are so many ways to tailor this recipe to your liking:

Spicy Pineapple Pork Loin: Stir in ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce for heat.
Tropical Twist: For tropical flavor, add diced bell peppers or cubes of mango with the pineapple.
Herbaceous Pork Loin: Add in a few sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary along with the garlic for a bit of herbaceousness.
Ginger-Pineapple Pork Loin: Grate some fresh ginger into the mix for an extra layer of warmth and complexity.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Loin is one of those recipes that brings a lot to the table for very little work. The slow cooker, meanwhile, gives the flavors time to marry beautifully, resulting in a dish that’s rich but not too rich and tender and utterly satisfying. This pork loin is going to make a phenomenal serving for a family dinner, meal prepping for a few days ahead, entertaining guests — you name it.

Happy cooking, and enjoy every bite!