Freezer pork tenderloin is a simple way to make a meal for two. With only 5 ingredients, you can stock your freezer with this dump and go slow cooker pork tenderloin.
It’s a cozy winter over here with just me and my crockpot. It makes me happy to finish adding crockpot recipes for two to Dessert for Two. It makes me even happier that I was able to do it all before the baby was born.
It’s been great to be able to take a meal out of the freezer, read the tag for recipes, and already have a plan for dinner. Because if there’s anything about babies, it’s that the day goes by so quickly. I feel like I just got through my morning tea, and now it’s time to pick up my older child from school and start making dinner plans.
Help is on the way from my “meal in a bag” freezer recipes! This slow cooker pork tenderloin has a lot of Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic cloves that have been crushed, and fresh rosemary sprigs.
Weeknight dinners just got a whole lot easier thanks to the crock pot. With a frozen pork loin and a slow cooker, you can come home to a house filled with the mouthwatering aroma of a home-cooked meal. But is it really possible to cook frozen pork loin in a crock pot? Let’s find out.
In this comprehensive guide, learn how to safely and deliciously prepare frozen pork loin in the slow cooker. With a few simple tips, you can transform a solid block of frozen meat into succulent, juicy pulled pork or sliced pork loin perfect for sandwiches.
Overview of Cooking Frozen Pork in the Crock Pot
Cooking frozen pork loin in the crock pot utilizes the slow, gentle heat to safely thaw and tenderize the meat. The pork goes from frozen to fork-tender with no need for defrosting first.
Benefits of using the crockpot with frozen pork loin:
- Requires minimal prep – simply season and add to slow cooker
- Hands-off method, letting the crockpot do the work
- Evenly cooks and flavors the pork with juicy results
- Makes the loin super tender for pulling or slicing
Almost any cut of frozen pork works in the slow cooker. Just allow extra time for thicker cuts.
Is It Safe to Cook Frozen Meat in the Crock Pot?
Yes, it is completely safe to cook frozen pork loin or other cuts of meat in the slow cooker. The low gentle heat gradually brings the pork to a bacteria-killing temperature as it thaws over several hours.
It’s critical to:
- Use pork within the “sell by” date that hasn’t been thawed previously
- Discard pork if there are any signs of freezer burn
- Cook on Low setting only to prevent bacterial growth
With these precautions, the crock pot method poses no additional risks over using thawed meat. Always cook pork to 145°F internally.
Tips for Cooking Frozen Pork Loin in the Crock Pot
Follow these handy tips for foolproof frozen pork loin every time:
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If pork loin is in a vacuum sealed bag, simply place the whole package in the crock pot. No need to open.
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If loose frozen, season the outside of the pork loin before adding to the slow cooker. A simple rub of salt, pepper, and herbs works great.
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Add 1 cup of liquid such as broth, wine, or water to help create steam This speeds cooking
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Cook on Low setting only, High may cause outer areas to cook too fast.
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Allow 1-1.5 hours per pound of frozen pork loin for proper cook time.
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Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temp reaches 145°F when done.
How Long to Cook Frozen Pork Loin in the Crock Pot
Cooking time can vary slightly based on the size and shape of your particular pork loin. Use these cooking times as a general guide:
- 1-2 pounds pork loin = 6-8 hours on Low
- 3 pounds pork loin = 8-10 hours on Low
- 4-5 pounds pork loin = 10-12 hours on Low
The pork may cook faster than times given for smaller or thinner cuts. Check temp periodically to prevent overcooking.
Crock Pot Frozen Pork Loin Recipes
Beyond a simple seasoned pork loin, the slow cooker is perfect for infusing flavor into frozen pork. Try recipes like:
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Hawaiian Pulled Pork: Cook with pineapple chunks, brown sugar, soy sauce, and ginger. Shred when done.
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Carnitas: Transform frozen pork with orange juice, chili powder, cumin, and garlic. Ideal for tacos.
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Apricot Glazed Pork Loin: Season loin and cook with apricot jam, balsamic, and herbs for a fruity flavor.
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Cider Braised Pork: Braising the frozen loin in apple cider, onions, and garlic makes incredibly moist pork.
Let the crockpot do the work to give you juicy, mouthwatering frozen pork dishes.
Making Pulled Pork from Frozen Pork Loin
Pulled pork is easy with the crock pot. Follow these steps:
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Season frozen pork loin and cook on Low 8-10 hours until fall-apart tender
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Carefully remove pork to a cutting board to rest 10 minutes
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Using two forks, shred and pull pork apart into bite-size pieces
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Toss shredded pork with your favorite barbecue sauce to coat
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Serve on buns for easy pulled pork sandwiches
The extended cook time ensures the pork shreds easily for maximum flavor in every bite.
Handling and Storing Leftover Pork
Follow these guidelines once cooked pork is ready:
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Let pork cool completely before transferring to the refrigerator
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Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days
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To freeze, store cooled pork in freezer bags up to 4 months
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Reheat gently in the microwave, oven, or on the stovetop
With proper storage, savor your frozen pork loin all week long!
Frequently Asked Questions
What size crock pot do I need?
A 6-quart crock pot can accommodate up to a 5 pound pork loin roast. Size up if cooking larger cuts of meat.
Can I put frozen pork on High in the crock pot?
It’s not recommended. High heat can cause the outer areas to cook too quickly while inside stays underdone. Low only.
How do I know when the pork is done?
Use a meat thermometer to check internal temp. Pork should reach 145°F at thickest part once done.
Can I use a pork shoulder instead of loin?
Yes, follow the same tips but cook a frozen pork shoulder for 10-12 hours on Low until fall apart tender.
What liquid should I add to the crock pot?
Broth, wine, juice, or water works well. About 1 cup of liquid helps create steam to cook the pork.
Juicy, Tender Crock Pot Pork – No Thawing Required
The crock pot does the work for you when cooking frozen pork loin or shoulder. With the proper cook times and temperature, you get safety along with mouthwatering pulled pork or fork-tender pork perfect for slicing.
Follow the tips in this guide for delicious crock pot meals using frozen pork straight from the freezer. The simple, hands-off method means dinner is ready when you walk in the door, no defrosting or monitoring required.
Crockpot recipes for two
The lovely thing about pork tenderloins is that they’re perfectly portioned for two people. Each pork tenderloin weighs about one pound. They usually come two in a pack, and I make a plan for the second pork tenderloin immediately. I often make pulled pork tenderloin in the slow cooker because it’s also an easy recipe that you can just dump into a bag and go.
Into a freezer-safe bag, add the pork tenderloin and all of the other ingredients. Zip the bag closed, squish everything around, and then place it in the freezer. Yes, it’s really that easy to make crockpot recipes for two!.
I use the smallest crockpot that is commonly found. It’s a 6-quart slow cooker model, and while I know smaller slow cookers exist, they’re hard to find and vary widely in size. Plus, it’s nice to know that you can make recipes for two in your regular crockpot. 
For this reason, I’ve changed my recipes so that they cook faster for two people in a standard-sized crockpot. If you’re adapting one of your own, be mindful of this. Technically, slow cookers work best when they’re two-thirds full, but that’s too much food for two people.