When I need a dinner that feels a little special but takes almost no effort, this 3-ingredient slow cooker pork tenderloin is exactly the kind of late-summer meal I lean on. It uses a raw whole pork tenderloin and a couple of pantry-friendly ingredients to create tender, juicy pork with a lightly sweet and savory finish, and it is the sort of hands-off recipe that works beautifully on a busy workday.

This pork tenderloin is great served with buttery mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles to soak up the flavorful juices. For a late-summer plate, I also like to add green beans, sweet corn, or a crisp side salad, and a spoonful of the sauce over everything ties the whole meal together.

3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin

Servings: 4 to 6

Finished slow cooker pork tenderloin plated with sauce
Finished slow cooker pork tenderloin plated with sauce

Ingredients

1 raw whole pork tenderloin, about 1 to 1 1/2 pounds

1 packet dry onion soup mix, about 1 ounce
1 cup barbecue sauce

Pork tenderloin with onion soup mix and barbecue sauce ingredients
Pork tenderloin with onion soup mix and barbecue sauce ingredients

Directions

1. Place the raw whole pork tenderloin in the bottom of a ceramic slow cooker.

Raw pork tenderloin placed in a slow cooker
Raw pork tenderloin placed in a slow cooker

2. Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the pork, then pour the barbecue sauce on top, coating the tenderloin as evenly as possible.

Pork tenderloin topped with onion soup mix and barbecue sauce
Pork tenderloin topped with onion soup mix and barbecue sauce

3. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the pork is tender and reaches a safe internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cooked pork tenderloin in slow cooker with sauce
Cooked pork tenderloin in slow cooker with sauce

4. Remove the pork tenderloin to a cutting board, let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice and spoon the sauce from the slow cooker over the top before serving.

Sliced pork tenderloin plated with sides and sauce
Sliced pork tenderloin plated with sides and sauce

Variations & Tips

Sweeter version: If you like a sweeter finish, use a honey barbecue sauce. It gives the pork a sticky glaze that pairs especially well with corn or roasted sweet potatoes.

Pork tenderloin with a sweeter honey barbecue glaze
Pork tenderloin with a sweeter honey barbecue glaze

Make it savory: For a less sweet flavor, choose a smoky or original barbecue sauce. That keeps the onion soup mix front and center and gives the dish a more classic savory profile.

Don’t overcook: Pork tenderloin is lean, so start checking it on the early side. Slow cookers can vary quite a bit, and pulling it once it is just cooked through helps keep it juicy.

Easy meal prep: Leftover sliced pork is wonderful tucked into sandwiches, wraps, or grain bowls the next day. I like to store the slices with a little extra sauce so they stay moist in the fridge.