Slow Cooker Garlic Honey Pork Tenderloin Medallions

Description

These Slow Cooker Garlic Honey Pork Tenderloin Medallions are tender, juicy, and slowly cooked in a rich sweet-and-savory garlic sauce. Thick slices of pork tenderloin soak up a flavorful combination of honey, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, broth, and warm seasonings as they cook. The result is fork-tender pork surrounded by a glossy, deeply flavored sauce that’s perfect for spooning over mashed potatoes, rice, or vegetables. This is an easy family-style slow cooker dinner that requires simple pantry ingredients and minimal hands-on preparation.

Ingredients For the Pork

• 2½ lbs pork tenderloin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Garlic Honey Sauce

• ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
• ⅓ cup honey
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 6 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional

For Thickening the Sauce

• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 3 tbsp cold water

For Finishing

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Freshly cracked black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Trim any visible silver skin from the pork tenderloins using a sharp knife.
2. Cut the pork crosswise into thick medallions, approximately 1½ inches thick.
3. Pat the pork thoroughly dry with paper towels.
4. Combine salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
5. Season both sides of the pork medallions evenly.
6. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
7. Working in batches, sear the medallions for approximately 1–2 minutes per side, just until lightly browned. This step is optional but adds extra flavor.
8. Transfer the pork to a 6-quart slow cooker, arranging the pieces in an even layer.
9. In a medium mixing bowl, combine chicken broth, honey, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, thyme, onion powder, and optional red pepper flakes.
10. Whisk until the honey and brown sugar are incorporated into the liquid.
11. Pour the garlic honey mixture evenly over the pork.
12. Gently move the medallions around so the sauce reaches between the pieces.
13. Cover the slow cooker with the lid.
14. Cook on LOW for approximately 2–3 hours, checking early because pork tenderloin is lean and can become dry when overcooked.
15. Cooking time will vary according to the thickness of the medallions and the individual slow cooker.
16. Check the thickest pieces with an instant-read thermometer. Whole cuts of pork are safely cooked at 145°F (63°C) followed by a short rest.
17. Once the pork reaches temperature, carefully transfer the medallions to a clean serving plate.
18. Cover loosely with foil to keep them warm.
19. Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan, or leave it in the slow cooker if your model allows the sauce to simmer effectively on HIGH.
20. Combine cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl.
21. Whisk until completely smooth with no lumps.
22. Bring the cooking liquid to a gentle simmer.
23. Slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry.
24. Cook for approximately 2–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce becomes glossy and slightly thickened.
25. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter for extra richness.
26. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
27. If you’d like more sweetness, add a small drizzle of honey.
28. For additional tanginess, add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
29. Return the pork medallions to the thickened sauce.
30. Gently turn each piece until generously coated.
31. Allow the pork to sit in the warm sauce for approximately 2 minutes.
32. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and cracked black pepper.
33. Serve immediately with plenty of garlic honey sauce spooned over the top.

Tips

• Avoid overcooking pork tenderloin. Unlike tougher slow-cooker cuts, tenderloin is lean and cooks relatively quickly.
• Cut the medallions into similar sizes so they reach temperature at approximately the same time.
• Searing is optional, but it gives the pork additional color and savory flavor.
• Low-sodium soy sauce and broth help prevent the final sauce from becoming overly salty.
• Fresh garlic gives this recipe significantly better flavor than garlic powder alone.
• For sweet heat, increase the crushed red pepper flakes.
• Don’t add cornstarch directly to the slow cooker liquid. Mix it with cold water first to prevent lumps.
• If the finished sauce becomes too thick, thin it with a splash of chicken broth.

Notes

These pork medallions are especially delicious with creamy mashed potatoes, white rice, buttered noodles, roasted potatoes, or cauliflower mash. Add green beans, broccoli, carrots, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus for an easy complete dinner. The flavorful honey-garlic sauce is also excellent spooned over the side dish. Refrigerate leftovers promptly in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.

Q&A

Can I use pork loin instead of pork tenderloin?
Yes, but pork loin is a different, larger cut and may require different cooking times. Always use internal temperature rather than time alone to determine doneness.
Do I have to sear the pork first?
No. You can place the seasoned raw pork directly into the slow cooker, although searing improves its appearance and flavor.
Can I make it spicy?
Absolutely. Add extra red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or a little chili sauce.
Can I leave out the honey?
You can substitute pure maple syrup, although the final flavor will be slightly different.
Why is my pork dry?
Pork tenderloin can dry out when slow-cooked for too long. Start checking early and remove it once it reaches the proper internal temperature.
Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker?
Yes. Mushrooms and onions are particularly good with the garlic honey sauce. Cooking times may need to be adjusted depending on the vegetables.

Servings

Makes approximately 6 servings

Nutrition (Approx. Per Serving)

• Calories: 390
• Protein: 39g
• Carbohydrates: 27g
• Fat: 13g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 690mg
• Cholesterol: 110mg
• Potassium: 720mg
  Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on the pork, honey, soy sauce, broth, and serving size.