Slow Cooker Cranberry Orange Pork Loin

Slow Cooker Cranberry Orange Pork Loin

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Iowa Pork. All opinions are my own.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Orange Pork Loin - Holiday Pork Loin - a great alternative to turkey at the holidays! SO tender and delicious! Everyone cleaned their plates and went back for seconds!!! Pork loin rubbed in brown sugar, garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper then wrapped in bacon and topped with cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest and dijon mustard. This is seriously delicious!!! Grab an Iowa Pork produced pork loin and give this a try for your holiday meal! #slowcooker #crockpot #pork

I have a secret. I'm not a big fan of turkey. I don't mind a bite or two of turkey at the holidays, but I'm not looking forward to a big turkey dinner at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I can't be the only one. If you aren't a turkey fan, this Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Loin is for you! I affectionately call this Holiday Pork Loin because I love to make this at the holidays as an alternative to turkey and ham.

What is pork loin? Well, it is basically a giant boneless pork chop. It can be called by several names: Center cut pork loin roast, center cut pork roast, pork center loin roast, pork center cut rib roast, pork loin center cut, pork loin center rib roast, pork loin roast center cut, and pork loin rib half.

Please note that a pork loin and pork tenderloin are NOT the same cut of meat. Tenderloins are thin and small. Pork loins are wide enough to cut steaks pieces from it.

If you have any questions about the different cuts of pork, the Iowa Pork Producers website is a great resource. By the way, did you know that about one third of the pork raised in the United States comes from Iowa? I recently toured a pork farm in Iowa. It was really interesting! (You can read about it here)When you buy pork at any grocery store across the United States, you are supporting family farms in Iowa and the United States.

This Slow Cooker Cranberry Orange Pork Loin is very simple to make. Season the meat with a mixture of brown sugar, garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. Wrap the pork loin in BACON! YUM! Then top it with a mixture of cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest and dijon mustard. It only takes a few hours for the pork loin to reach a safe internal temperature of 145ºF. 

I know there are a lot of questions about how to safely cook pork. 

The safe internal pork cooking temperature for fresh pork cuts is 145ºF.​ 

To check doneness properly, use a digital cooking thermometer to measure the temperature at the thickest part of the cut without touching any bone. Once you have reached the desired internal temperature, remove from heat and let it rest for three minutes.

Don't overcook your pork!!!  It only took about 3 hours for my pork loin to get to temperature. Use an instant read thermometer to check the temperature after about 2-1/2 hours.

We LOVED the flavors in the pork loin. The pork itself was so tender and juicy!!!

The bacon wrapped around the pork loin will be fully cooked when the pork loin is done. BUT it won't be crispy. I carefully took the pork loin out of the slow cooker and popped it under the broiler for a few minutes until the bacon was nice and crispy. That is totally optional, but I think it tastes (and looks) better.

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Entree

American

Yield: serves 8Author: Stephanie - Plain Chicken.com

Slow Cooker Cranberry Orange Pork Loin

prep time: 10 minscook time: 2 hour and 30 minstotal time: 2 hours and 40 mins

Slow Cooker Cranberry Orange Pork Loin - Holiday Pork Loin - a great alternative to turkey at the holidays! SO tender and delicious! Everyone cleaned their plates and went back for seconds!!! Pork loin rubbed in brown sugar, garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper then wrapped in bacon and topped with cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest and dijon mustard. This is seriously delicious!!! Grab an Iowa Pork produced pork loin and give this a try for your holiday meal! #slowcooker #crockpot #pork

ingredients:

• 1 (3 to 4 pound) center cut pork loin
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 10 slices bacon, uncooked
• 1/4 cup whole cranberry sauce
• 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
• 2 Tbsp orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest

instructions:

1. Combine brown sugar, garlic powder, rosemary, salt and pepper.
2. Season pork loin with brown sugar mixture on all sides.
3. Wrap bacon around pork loin and place in slow cooker.
4. Mix together cranberry sauce, dijon mustard, orange juice and orange zest. Pour over pork loin.
5. Cover and cook on LOW 2-1/2 to 3 hours, until internal temperature is 145ºF.
6. Remove pork from slow cooker and place on an oven safe baking sheet. Place  under oven broiler for 2 to 3 minutes to crisp up bacon.

All images and text ©Plain Chicken, Inc.

MORE SLOW COOKER RECIPES:
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Slow Cooker Tailgate Pot Roast
Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili
Slow Cooker Huli Huli Pork Tenderloin








This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Iowa Pork. All opinions are my own.

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