This 4-ingredient slow cooker pork tenderloin is the kind of easy holiday weekend meal that lets you spend more time with family and less time standing over the stove. A whole pork tenderloin cooks up tender and flavorful with just a few pantry staples, making it a wonderful Labor Day option when you want something hearty, low-fuss, and crowd-pleasing without heating up the kitchen.
Serve this pork with creamy mashed potatoes, buttered corn, baked beans, coleslaw, or soft dinner rolls to soak up the savory juices. For a fresh contrast, I like adding a simple green salad or sliced watermelon, especially if you're feeding a mix of kids and adults and want the table to feel a little extra special without much extra work.
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Labor Day Feast Pork Tenderloin
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 whole pork tenderloin, about 2 to 2 1/2 pounds
1 packet dry onion soup mix, about 1 ounce
1 cup barbecue sauce
1/2 cup apple juice
Directions
1. Place the whole pork tenderloin in the bottom of a lightly greased slow cooker insert.
2. Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the pork, then pour the barbecue sauce and apple juice over the top.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or until the pork is tender and reaches a safe internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
4. Slice the pork and serve warm with the juices spooned over the top.
Variations & Tips
For a sweeter flavor: Use a honey barbecue sauce and add a spoonful of apple jelly if your family likes a sweeter, stickier finish. This is a nice option for kids who enjoy classic barbecue flavors.
For extra savory gravy: If you want more sauce for mashed potatoes or rice, remove the cooked pork and whisk the cooking liquid with a little cornstarch slurry in a saucepan until thickened. It makes the meal feel even heartier.
For picky eaters: Slice the pork very thin and serve it on soft sandwich rolls with extra barbecue sauce. Sometimes turning dinner into little sandwiches makes it much more fun and familiar for children.
Cooking tip: Pork tenderloin is leaner and smaller than pork loin, so be sure to use tenderloin for this timing. Check it a little early if your slow cooker runs hot so the meat stays juicy and tender.