Pork loin has a reputation: “dry.” (Rude, honestly.) But toss it in the slow cooker the right way and you get juicy, tender Hawaiian pork with pineapple-soy glaze vibes—perfect over rice, stuffed into sandwiches, or shredded for tacos.
I’m giving you sliceable OR shreddable cook times, plus the simple trick that keeps pork loin from turning into edible cardboard.
What You’ll Need
This Hawaiian pulled pork recipe uses simple ingredients that are shelf stable, with the exception of the pork and onion, so it is easy to throw together. A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Pork Loin– Pork loin is a cut of meat from the back of a pig, located just below the shoulder and above the tenderloin. It’s a lean and tender cut that’s commonly used for roasts, chops, and other pork dishes.
- Low-sodium soy sauce
- Pineapple chunks in 10% juice
- Sweet onion
- Ground ginger
- Paprika
- Onion powder
- Coarse Kosher salt
- Dash of oil
- Cornstarch
Pork Loin vs Pork Tenderloin
Grab the right cut: Pork loin and pork tenderloin are not interchangeable. Pork loin is a larger, wider roast (often labeled boneless pork loin roast, top loin, or center loin) that does best with low, slow cooking and often has a little fat to keep it juicy. Pork tenderloin is a long, skinny ~1-pound cut meant for quick, high-heat cooking-it will overcook and dry out in this recipe, so don’t swap it in.
How to Make Pork Loin in a Crock Pot (Step-by-Step)
I do prefer to make a pork loin in the slow cooker because it is essentially a tabletop braiser, allowing the steam and liquid to concentrate instead of evaporate. It is perfect for leaner cuts of meat that require a low and slow temp for optimal juiciness. You can make it in the oven as a traditional braise.
- Seasoning & Dry Pork. Make the spice rub and dab the pork loin dry with paper towels. Rub the pork liberally with the spices.
- Sear. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Sear the pork in the hot pan until browned on each side, beginning the the fat side down for 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
- Make Gravy. Meanwhile, dice the onion and make the sauce for the slow cooker.
- Pineapple Base. Place half the pineapple chunks on the bottom of your slow cooker then place your seared pork loin on top of them with the fat side up. Add the remaining pineapple, diced onion, and pour the gravy mixture over the top.
- Shreddable: Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours. The pork should shred easily with a fork and register at 145°F.
Sliceable: Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours. The pork should register at 145°F. Thinly slice using a sharp knife.
Remove the meat from the slow cooker and allow the pork to rest before slicing or shredding while you make the sauce.
- Make Gravy. Strain the liquid from the slow cooker through a sieve into a medium saucepan over medium high heat and bring to a simmer. Reserve the pineapple chunks from the slow cooker for serving. Whisk the cornstarch with 1 ½ tablespoons cold water to make a slurry then slowly whisk it into the simmering sauce. Continue to stir gently until thickened.
- Serve. Serve the pork with the sauce and reserved pineapple chunks and chopped scallions.
How to Keep Crock Pot Pork Loin Juicy (Chef Tips)
Pick the right cut: boneless pork loin roast, not tenderloin- no they aren’t the same!
Sear = flavor. It’s not required, but it builds a better crust and deeper flavor (hello Maillard reaction).
Don’t drown it. Liquid should come up about ¼ of the way- pork releases moisture as it cooks and you don’t want it to be too saucy.
Fat side up: if yours has a fat cap, let it baste the roast while it cooks. Sure, you can trim this, but I like the flavor and it helps keep the roast juicy.
Use a thermometer (because guessing is stressful):
Sliceable: cook at a higher temp so the fibers are tight, pull around 140–145°F, rest 10–15 minutes.
Shreddable: you’re going for “fork collapses it” tenderness, use a the low and slow method to soften connective tissues and loosen fibers. Still pull right at 145°F.
Thicken the sauce: cornstarch slurry at the end so it clings to the pork and is glossy.
Variation Options
This is such a good base recipe, but here are a few ways to put your own twist on it.
- Sweeter– Some like a true sweet Hawaiian sauce, so think about adding 1-2 tablespoons of light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of honey or using pineapple tidbits in heavy syrup. Do not do all 3- just pick one!
- Spicy– Love a sweet and spicy pairing? Me too! Add 1/2-1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or 1-2 teaspoons of Sriracha to the sauce. Also feel free to use a chile crisp oil on the side for serving.
- Garlic & Ginger– Add 2-4 minced or grated garlic cloves or 1 tablespoon grated ginger to the sauce. These play well together so you can add both.
- Add Veggies– I typically like my veggies on the side, but feel free to throw some in the crock pot for a truly one-dish meal. Raw chopped bell peppers, carrots and snap peas all work well and won’t totally disintegrate when added.
Perfect Pairings
This slow cooker pork loin is easiest served over a bed of white rice, but you can also use toasted couscous or ranch rice. It is also great over mashed potatoes or roasted sweet potatoes. It also make an amazing pulled pork sandwich.
As a side, consider serving with vegetables like marinated green beans, roasted rainbow carrots, or whole roasted cauliflower.
Shredded meat can be used in tacos or even quesadillas and nachos! Leftovers can be served on top of a fun leafy green salad too.
Storage and Freezing
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Use in another recipe that calls for pulled pork or reheat the meat only in the microwave.
Absolutely. Prepare the Hawaiian pork loin as directed, then shred and freeze in desired portions. I recommend making the sauce and freezing it in an ice cube tray, then adding cubes to the bags or containers of shredded pork.
Pork Loin Roast Slow Cooker FAQs
Technically yes. Your pork loin will cook fine without searing it first. However searing the spice rubbed pork first wakes up the aromatic nature of the spices (big flavor), and creates a crust.
That crust creates a beautiful texture when you shred the pork, a lovely combination of crunchy browned edges and tender shredded meat.
Absolutely! This recipe will work with either pork butt (pork shoulder) or boneless pork country ribs.
Yes! Simply start your recipe by searing the pork in a large dutch oven or oven safe pot. Then add in the pineapple, onion, and the pineapple juice/soy sauce mixture.
Cover and place in a 300°F oven for 3-4 hours, or until you can shred it easily with a fork.
Yes, but having enough liquid, leaving the fat cap on and timing will prevent this from happening.
No, the liquid will be about a quarter of the way up- see step-by-step photos for a visual cue.
You can, but will then to buy pineapple juice. Fresh pineapple is also a but more acidic and not as sweet, so think about adding 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar to balance out the sauce.
More Easy Pork Recipes
Pork is one of our favorite things to cook for dinner. Here are some of our favorite pork recipes.
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Loin (Crock Pot Pork Loin)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3-4 pound boneless pork loin
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 20 ounces canned pineapple chunks in 100% juice , drained with juice reserved
- 1/2 cup light soy sauce*
- 1/2 large sweet onion , diced (about ⅔ cup)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cold water
- 2 tablespoons scallions , chopped
Instructions
- Combine the 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon ground ginger in a small bowl. Pat the 3-4 pound boneless pork loin dry with paper towels then rub in the spice mixture.
- Heat the 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
- Sear the pork in the hot pan until browned on each side, beginning on the fat side down for 4-5 minutes on each.
- In the same bowl as the spice mixture, whisk together the 1/2 cup light soy sauce* with the juice from the can of pineapple chunks, you should get about ¾ cups of juice from the can.
- Place half the pineapple chunks on the bottom of the slow cooker then place the seared pork loin on top of them with the fat side up.
- Top the roast with the remaining pineapple chunks, diced 1/2 large sweet onion, and pour the soy sauce/pineapple juice mixture over the top.
- Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours. The pork should register at 145°F using an instant read thermometer. See notes about making it sliceable and sizes of pork loin.
- Remove the roast to a plate and set aside to rest. Strain the liquid from the slow cooker through a sieve into a medium saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Reserve the pineapple chunks from the slow cooker, but discard other solids.
- Whisk the 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 1/2 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry then slowly whisk it into the simmering sauce. Continue to stir gently until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Shred the pork using two forks and then spoon the sauce and reserved pineapple chunks over top. Garnish with chopped 2 tablespoons scallions .
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Absolutely loved this recipe! Definitely take the few minutes to brown up your roast, it seals that moisture in. The only thing we were a bit disappointed in was we could have easily doubled the “gravy” part of the recipe. This ones a keeper in our house. Thanks!!
Thank you for the feedback! I like the sauce too- I love it over rice!
Thanks for the recipe. Loved it.
Glad you enjoyed!
Sent me any “Pork “ recipes
Tried this yesterday. Unfortunately, my “slow cooker” cooked this 4 pound loin way too fast and when I checked on it at 4 hours, it was already at 160!!😭. I had it set to the low setting, not sure why it cooked it so far. We still are this dried, though meat and the only saving grace was the sauce which we drowned each bite in… I’ll definitely give this another try tho…
Wow! Id say that is fast, low setting is usually only about 200 degrees. I’m glad the sauce saved the day!
Delicious pork! Easy as well!
Thank you, Debbie!
Flavor is really good but I think next time, I’ll use pork shoulder. The loin just gets so dried out in the slow cooker. Sauce is delicious though!
Thanks for the feedback- this would be amazing with a pork shoulder too.
Not a big pork fan but husband loves it, so always looking for pork recipes that I can tolerate. This was really good. I really enjoyed it and husband said we can “add it to the rotation” – so he liked it too!
Yay! Well, that is a WIN in my book!
We made this for dinner tonight and it was AMAZING! I love the flavors of pineapple and pork together 😊 I ended up using twice the amount of cornstarch/water and our sauce never thickened, but we did spoon it on top of the wild rice we made to eat with this meal and it was delicious. Thanks for the recipe!
Yay! That is what we love to hear!
Can you make this in an instant pot?
You could. Still brown it, then manual high pressure for 25 minutes. Allow natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release. You might need to cut the roast into two pieces to get it to fit into a standard 6 quart IP.
Can I add a little brown sugar instead of onion or honey?
Hi Nancy, brown sugar can replace the honey, but not much will replace the onion. You can leave it out if you are opposed to onion.