This 5-ingredient slow cooker pork loin dinner is the kind of easy summer meal that saves the day when you want something hearty without heating up the kitchen. Starting with a frozen pork loin roast and a few pantry staples makes it especially handy for a busy holiday week, and the slow cooker does the work while you take care of everything else. By dinnertime, the pork turns tender and flavorful, with a savory-sweet sauce that feels a little special for Fourth of July Eve.
Serve this pork loin with fluffy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or simple rice to catch all that rich sauce. For a fresh side, corn on the cob, green beans, or a crisp coleslaw fit right in with the holiday-week feel. If you want to stretch the meal for a crowd, add dinner rolls and a big fruit salad to round everything out.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Fourth of July Eve Pork Loin Dinner
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 frozen pork loin roast, about 2 1/2 to 3 pounds
1 packet dry onion soup mix, about 1 ounce
1 can cream of mushroom soup, 10 1/2 ounces
1 cup barbecue sauce
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
Directions
1. Place the frozen pork loin roast in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix over the top, then spread the cream of mushroom soup and barbecue sauce over the roast. Spoon the frozen mixed vegetables around the sides.
2. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours or on high for 5 to 6 hours, until the pork is fully cooked and tender enough to slice or shred easily.
3. Transfer the pork to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes. Slice or shred the pork, then return it to the slow cooker to coat with the sauce, or serve the sauce and vegetables over the top.
4. Serve hot with mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice, and spoon plenty of the vegetables and sauce over each portion.
Variations & Tips
For a sweeter sauce: Stir 2 tablespoons of brown sugar or a little apple jelly into the barbecue sauce before adding it to the slow cooker. This is a nice option if your family likes that sweet-and-savory combination.
For picky eaters: Leave the vegetables out of the cooker and serve them on the side instead. You can also shred the pork well and pile it onto soft sandwich buns for easy slow cooker pork sandwiches.
For a richer gravy: If you want a thicker sauce, remove the cooked pork and whisk the liquid in the slow cooker before serving. Let it sit uncovered for a few minutes, or stir in a small cornstarch slurry if you do not mind adding one extra pantry item.
Food safety note: For best texture and safest results, be sure your slow cooker is large enough for the roast and check that the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F before serving. If your slow cooker tends to run cool, thawing the roast in the refrigerator first is a helpful backup plan.