Slow cooker roasts are some of my favorite meals. They require a very small amount of effort early in the day and when we are ready to eat, the main dish is ready with just a few additional minutes of work.
For this meal, brown sugar and balsamic are simmered and then reduced to a simple glaze that is poured over tender pulled pork. This dinner was a huge hit with all three of my boys; they almost licked their plates clean.
This has been a great month for finally trying recipes that I’ve had on my list for ages. I’ve seen this pork tenderloin recipe floating around online for the past couple years.
It may have taken me over two years to finally make it, but it was worth the wait. The combination of flavors was excellent and I’m glad I finally got around to trying it.
I simplified the original recipe a wee bit, because I tend to do that with most recipes. I also used a pork roast that I already had in the freezer, instead of the suggested pork tenderloin. My family devoured this meal and all of my kids gave it two thumbs up.
Served with boiled baby red potatoes and a Strawberry Spinach Salad, the work involved for this meal was just minutes.
Crock-Pot Balsamic Brown Sugar Pork Roast
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 – 2 lb sirloin tip pork roast
- 1 teaspoon ground sage
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup water
Glaze Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Instructions
Pork Roast Directions
- Place the roast in the crock-pot and sprinkle with the spices. Pour the water in the bottom of the crock-pot. Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours.
- When the roast is tender enough to pull apart, gently shred with tongs, leaving bite size chunks of meat. Toss the meats in the juices as you pull the roast apart. Let the meat rest in the crock-pot while you prepare the glaze.
Glaze Directions
- Combine the brown sugar and cornstarch in a small saucepan and whisk to break up any lumps. Add the vinegar, water, and soy sauce and whisk to combine. Warm over medium heat until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. You can increase the heat as needed, but stir constantly.
- When the sauce has thickened, drizzle the meat with about half of the glaze. Serve with additional glaze as desired. Enjoy!
Notes
{originally published 8/8/13 – recipe notes updated 2/16/22}
Jenn S says
Sounds like a fantastic way to jazz up every day roast… I can smell the yummy balsamic from here 🙂
Magnolia Verandah says
Slow cooks are my favourite lately, you can put it on and just walk away, come back, dish up and everyone thinks you are a marvel. Never used balsamic in a slow cook….until now that is.
Lisa @ The Meaning of Me says
Great tip on the balsamic vinegar – I hate wasting the good aged stuff in recipes where it ultimately won't matter. I always keep more than one around. We are not pork eaters here, but I bet this would be great on a beef roast, too.
Carla TePaske says
Yummy…I too have not used balsamic in a slower cooker. I will try it for sure! Thank you, Mary. 🙂
Chris says
This sounds fabulous. I want to try this on the smoker, smoking the meat until 160f and then putting it in a pan with the liquids to finish to about 197f. Kind of like using a crock pot at the end.
morefoodpls says
This looks delicious, I will give it a try! I have been sticking with a slow-cooked turkey chili recipe, but I've been looking around for more recipes to use for my slow cooker. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Anonymous says
I just made this. My first pulled pork ever. Wow … so so so good. Thanks.
Melanie J. says
Just made this, it was terrific! Thanks for posting!
Kelsey & Desarae says
Made this tonight and it was beyond amazing!! I did use a high quality vinegar, but only because I just bought a bottle of chocolate balsamic from a swanky local shop I was excited to use.
I'm in bed now and fighting the urge to get up and eat the leftovers 🙂
Anonymous says
looks mouthwatering! is there any way i can cook this other than in a crock pot? please
Kalyn Denny says
I am totally drooling over this!
Louise says
This is great Mary. Thanks so much. I want to make this again on the wkd. So good!
Bill says
Instead of water, use hearty, dark beer, and worcestershire instead of soy.
Sabby says
I tried this last night and it was very good! I will definitely make this again.
Christin says
Great recipe! The pork was good even without the sauce. Left the sauce on the side for the family to add as they wanted. Will definitely make again!
Carrie says
This was delicious! I used the pork sirloin tip roast from Costco and have tried cooking it several ways, but it usually turns out dry. This was nice and juicy and very flavorful with or without the sauce!
Thank you!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the pork roast, Carrie.
Kerri Mills says
I have been following you since 2014 and I love your style of cooking, it suits me and my busy lifestyle. This recipe is epic, so tasty and has been a go to for my family for years now.
Thank you for all of your hard work. From a fellow cook here in New Zealand.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you enjoyed the pork roast, Kerri.