Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Pork Loin

This Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Pork Loin is an easy sweet-and-savory dinner made with tender pork loin, bottled sweet chili sauce, onion, garlic, soy sauce, and a splash of broth. Everything goes into the crockpot and cooks until the pork is juicy and coated in a glossy, flavorful sauce.

The sweet chili sauce gives the pork a delicious balance of sweetness, mild heat, and garlic flavor, while the onions soften into the cooking juices. Serve thick slices of pork with rice, mashed potatoes, noodles, or roasted vegetables for a comforting dinner that requires very little hands-on work.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This recipe keeps the ingredient list short while still delivering plenty of flavor. Other than the pork and bottled sweet chili sauce, you only need four simple additions to create the sauce.

It is also beginner-friendly. There is no complicated marinade or lengthy preparation, and searing the pork is completely optional.

Ingredients

3 to 4 pounds boneless pork loin, fully thawed
1 cup bottled sweet chili sauce
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Freshly cracked black pepper, optional

Optional Sauce Thickener

1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water

Ingredient Notes

Pork loin: Use pork loin rather than pork tenderloin. Pork loin is larger and works well for slicing into generous portions after slow cooking.

Sweet chili sauce: Bottled sweet chili sauce provides sweetness, mild chile flavor, and a glossy consistency all in one ingredient.

Onion: Diced onion cooks underneath and around the roast, becoming soft and flavorful while adding moisture to the sauce.

Soy sauce: Low-sodium soy sauce balances the sweetness and gives the sauce deeper savory flavor.

How to Make Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Pork Loin

Lightly grease the inside of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
Scatter the diced onion over the bottom.
Place the fully thawed pork loin on top of the onions.
Sprinkle the minced garlic over and around the pork.
In a bowl, whisk together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and chicken broth.
Pour the mixture evenly over the pork loin.
Add freshly cracked black pepper if desired.
Cover and cook on Low for about 3 to 4 hours.
Begin checking the pork near the 3-hour mark because pork loin is lean and can dry out if cooked too long.
The pork is ready when the thickest part reaches at least 145°F.
Transfer the pork to a cutting board and let it rest for at least 3 minutes before slicing.

How to Make the Sweet Chili Sauce Thicker

The pork releases juices during cooking, so the sauce may be thinner than the bottled sweet chili sauce you started with.

For a thicker glaze, whisk one tablespoon cornstarch with two tablespoons cold water. Stir the slurry into the cooking liquid after removing the pork.

Turn the slow cooker to High and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce becomes glossy and slightly thickened.

Spoon the finished sauce and softened onions generously over the sliced pork.

Optional Caramelized Finish

If you want the pork to have a darker, stickier exterior, place the cooked roast on a foil-lined baking sheet after it has reached 145°F.

Brush it with some of the thickened sweet chili sauce and broil for about two to four minutes. Watch constantly because the sugar in sweet chili sauce can caramelize quickly.

Let the pork rest, then slice and serve with additional sauce.

How to Keep Pork Loin Juicy

Pork loin is considerably leaner than pork shoulder, so it does not need an all-day cooking time. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to prevent overcooking.

Once the center reaches 145°F, remove the pork from active cooking and let it rest for at least three minutes. The result should be tender and juicy rather than dry and stringy.

Easy Variations

For spicy sweet chili pork, add crushed red pepper flakes, sriracha, or chili garlic sauce.

For pineapple sweet chili pork, add one cup of drained pineapple chunks during the final 30 minutes of cooking.

For ginger garlic pork, add one tablespoon freshly grated ginger along with the minced garlic.

For an Asian-inspired finish, garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

What to Serve with Sweet Chili Pork Loin

Steamed jasmine rice is especially good because it absorbs the sweet and savory sauce.

You can also serve the pork with mashed potatoes, roasted baby potatoes, buttered noodles, or fried rice.

For vegetables, try broccoli, green beans, roasted carrots, snap peas, Brussels sprouts, or stir-fried vegetables.

Storage and Reheating

Store cooled pork and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. Keep some sauce with the sliced pork to help it stay moist.

Reheat gently in a covered skillet with a spoonful of sauce or broth until steaming hot. Avoid prolonged reheating because lean pork loin can dry out.

Leftover pork is also delicious sliced thinly for sandwiches, rice bowls, wraps, or quick noodle dishes.

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