Pork loin is such an economical cut of meat, because it's mostly all lean with very little waste and really serves a lot of people. However, it's a cut of meat that so many folks seem to not know what to do with or they don't understand that it can be very dry if not cooked properly. It's a lean cut of meat and it works best with low and slow cooking, unless you cut it in nice boneless loin chops. Because it works well with low and slow cooking, the slow cooker is perfect for pork loin.
Now, how do you get the flavor in it and how do you get a variety of flavor other than just barbeque sauce? This recipe is a really good change of pace from the usual barbequed pork loin. It's also great for a week night meal as well as elegant enough for company. I have discovered in using the slow cooker more for recipes now than I ever have, that if you finish some meats in the oven after the slow cooking period, they not only taste better, but the presentation is much better also. This is one of those recipes.
This is really a very simple recipe and you family is going to love it. Here is what you will need:
1 4-6 lb. boneless pork loin
1 (20 oz.) jar of apricot preserves
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1/4 cup prepared Italian dressing (whatever you prefer or have on hand)
1/4 cup Teriyaki or soy sauce (I used the Teriyaki)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbs. minced garlic
salt
black pepper
seasoned salt
Mix the apricot preserves with the dry onion soup, Italian dressing, soy or Teriyaki sauce, brown sugar and minced garlic until well blended. Place the pork loin in a 5 to 6 quart slow cooker that has been sprayed well with nonstick spray or use a slow cooker liner. Sprinkle liberally with salt, black pepper, and seasoned salt. Pour half of the apricot glaze over the pork loin. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. You can cook this on high for 4-5 hours, but the low setting for longer produces a more tender roast. Cover the other half of the glaze and refrigerate. It will become thick when it gets cold and that is ok. When you use the other half it will stay on better a little thicker.
***You can cook this in the oven if you do not have a slow cooker or just prefer the oven. Cook at 350 degrees, covered for two hours and then uncover and add the reserved half of glaze. If there are a lot of cooking juices in the pan, pour some of those off before you add the other half of glaze. Cook at 375 degrees for 20 - 30 minutes or until the glaze caramelizes. Be sure to let your meat rest for at least 15 minutes out of the oven, before slicing. If you don't, it will lose all of it's juices. I also spoon some of the pan juices back over the slices after placing them on the platter.
When the pork loin has finished cooking in the slow cooker, CAREFULLY remove it to a baking pan that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. It will be hot and depending on how hot your slow cooker cooks it might be very tender and try to fall apart (but probably not). I use a very wide spatula and meat fork to remove mine. Pour the other half of the apricot glaze over the pork loin. Place in the oven at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Don't let it burn but the sugars in the glaze will caramelize and turn darker. This also gets very sticky so be sure to spray that baking dish with nonstick spray.
Remove from oven and let stand to rest for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing. If you slice meat as soon as you remove from the oven, without allowing to rest, you lose all of the juices and the meat will be dry.
what are apricot preserves? canned half apricots?? apricot nectar??
ReplyDeleteApricot preserves are similar to apricot jam. I don't know where you are located that you don't know what apricot preserves are, but if you cannot get them, use jam.
DeleteA preserve has the actual piece of fruit in the jar. jam doesn't but it's thick and jelly is like thinner jam. :)
ReplyDeleteyou can also use peach preserves.
ReplyDeleteI made this last night and it was a huge hit. I never knew to let meat sit and rest but I will do it from now on. My very picky husband had 3rds LOL
ReplyDeleteMade this for my family and they absolutely loved it!
ReplyDeleteI'm truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It's
ReplyDeletea very easy on the eyes which makes it much more
enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often.
Did you hire out a developer to create your theme?
Superb work!
ReplyDeleteKathy, I posted this recipe on my Facebook wall for my friends. Thanks for all your wonderful recipes: My daughter's friend Kathy, who writes the recipe blog ''Sweet Tea and Cornbread" is a fabulous cook. One of her readers commented on this delicious-sounding 'Slow Cooker Apricot Glazed Pork Loin" recipe that her "very picky husband asked for thirds"!
Kathy always includes tips and instructions that take her recipes over the edge of deliciousness.
Thank you so much!!!
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