Fall weather always makes me crave comfort food that fills the house with good smells. There’s something about the cooler air that makes me want to throw ingredients in the crockpot and let dinner cook itself. But I don’t want to sacrifice flavor just because I’m taking the easy route.
That’s why this crockpot applesauce pork tenderloin has become my go-to weeknight dinner. The pork stays tender and juicy, while the applesauce creates this sweet and savory sauce that my kids actually ask for seconds of. I can prep everything in the morning before work and come home to a meal that tastes like I spent hours in the kitchen.
Want something fancy enough for company but simple enough for Tuesday night? This recipe checks both boxes. The best part is watching my family’s faces when they realize how good slow cooker meals can actually be.
Why You’ll Love This Applesauce Pork Tenderloin
- Set-and-forget convenience – Just throw everything in the crockpot and let it cook while you’re at work or busy with other things – no babysitting required.
- Simple ingredients – With just a few pantry staples like applesauce and onion soup mix, you can create a flavorful meal without hunting down fancy ingredients.
- Tender, juicy pork – The slow cooking method keeps the pork tenderloin incredibly moist and fork-tender, while the applesauce adds a subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with the meat.
- Complete one-pot meal – The carrots and celery cook right alongside the pork, so you get your protein and vegetables all in one dish with minimal cleanup.
- Family-friendly flavor – The mild, slightly sweet taste appeals to both kids and adults, making it a reliable weeknight dinner that everyone will actually eat.
What Kind of Pork Tenderloin Should I Use?
For this crockpot recipe, you’ll want to look for a nice, lean pork tenderloin that’s around 2 1/2 pounds total – this might be one large tenderloin or two smaller ones. Fresh pork tenderloin is ideal, but frozen works too as long as you thaw it completely before cooking. When shopping, choose tenderloins that have a pinkish-red color and avoid any that look gray or have a strong smell. Most pork tenderloins come with a thin membrane called silverskin on one side, which you can either remove with a sharp knife or leave on since the slow cooking process will break it down nicely.
Options for Substitutions
This simple crockpot recipe is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps:
- Pork tenderloin: You can easily substitute pork shoulder or pork loin for the tenderloin. Pork shoulder will be more tender and juicy, while pork loin works great too – just don’t overcook it as it can dry out faster than tenderloin.
- Applesauce: If you’re out of applesauce, try using apple juice or apple cider (reduce water to 1/4 cup), or even crushed pineapple for a tropical twist. You could also use about 3 diced apples instead.
- Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup Mix: Make your own mix by combining 1/4 cup dried minced onion, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Any brand of onion soup mix works too.
- Small carrots: Regular carrots cut into chunks work perfectly fine. You can also swap in parsnips, sweet potatoes, or even baby potatoes for variety.
- Celery: If you’re not a celery fan, try diced bell peppers or just leave it out completely – the dish will still taste great.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when cooking pork tenderloin in a crockpot is overcooking it, since this lean cut can quickly turn dry and tough if left too long – aim for 4-6 hours on low or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
Another common error is not browning the tenderloin first in a hot skillet, which adds extra flavor and helps seal in the juices before it goes into the slow cooker.
To prevent mushy vegetables, add your carrots and celery during the last 2-3 hours of cooking rather than at the beginning, and make sure to cut them into uniform pieces so they cook evenly.
For the best texture, let the pork rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking before slicing, and if your sauce seems too thin, you can thicken it by mixing a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stirring it into the juices.
What to Serve With Crockpot Applesauce Pork Tenderloin?
This tender, sweet and savory pork pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles to soak up all those delicious juices from the slow cooker. Since the dish already has carrots and celery built right in, you’ve got your veggies covered, but a simple side of steamed green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts makes a nice addition. For something a bit different, try serving it over rice or with some warm dinner rolls to round out the meal. The applesauce flavor in this dish also goes really well with a crisp coleslaw or a fresh spinach salad on the side.
Storage Instructions
Store: This pork tenderloin keeps really well in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. The flavors actually get even better after sitting overnight, so it’s perfect for meal prep. I like to portion it out with the vegetables for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
Freeze: You can freeze the cooked pork and vegetables in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Just make sure everything is completely cooled first, and leave a little room at the top of the container since it will expand when frozen.
Reheat: Warm up your leftovers in the microwave on medium power, stirring every minute or so until heated through. You can also reheat it on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. The pork should reach 165°F when reheated properly.
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 240-300 minutes |
| Total Time | 255-320 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1400-1600
- Protein: 160-180 g
- Fat: 20-28 g
- Carbohydrates: 90-110 g
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Ingredients
For the pork and vegetables:
- 2 1/2 lb pork tenderloin
- 12 small carrots, halved
- 3 stalks celery, finely chopped
- Cooking spray
For the applesauce mixture:
- 1 1/2 cups applesauce
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 packet lipton recipe secrets onion soup mix
Step 1: Prepare the Crock Pot and Vegetables
- cooking spray
- 12 small carrots, halved
- 3 stalks celery, finely chopped
Spray the bottom of the crock pot generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Arrange the halved carrots and finely chopped celery evenly at the bottom.
This vegetable layer will serve as the base for the pork and also add flavor to the dish.
Step 2: Add Pork Tenderloin
- 2 1/2 lb pork tenderloin
Place the pork tenderloin directly on top of the vegetables in the crock pot.
Make sure it sits evenly so it cooks properly on all sides.
Step 3: Mix and Add Applesauce Gravy
- 1 1/2 cups applesauce
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 packet Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup Mix
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
In a separate bowl, combine the applesauce, water, Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup Mix, salt, and ground black pepper.
Stir well to form a savory and slightly sweet sauce.
Pour this applesauce mixture evenly over the pork tenderloin, covering as much surface area as possible for maximum flavor.
I like to give the pork a gentle rub with some of the sauce—this helps boost the taste even more!
Step 4: Slow Cook the Pork
Cover the crock pot with a lid and cook the pork on the LOW setting for 4 to 5 hours.
After about 4 hours, check the pork for doneness—it should be tender and easy to slice.
If not fully cooked, continue to cook for another hour.
Cooking low and slow makes the pork juicy and allows the vegetables and sauce to meld together with rich flavor.
Step 5: Serve the Pork Roast
Once the pork is cooked through, serve it hot alongside the tender vegetables and the flavorful gravy created in the crock pot.
To make the meal even more comforting, I like to spoon extra sauce over the pork just before serving.
Gluten-Free Crockpot Applesauce Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
For the pork and vegetables:
- 2 1/2 lb pork tenderloin
- 12 small carrots, halved
- 3 stalks celery, finely chopped
- cooking spray
For the applesauce mixture:
- 1 1/2 cups applesauce
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 packet Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup Mix
Instructions
- Spray the bottom of the crock pot generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the halved carrots and finely chopped celery evenly at the bottom. This vegetable layer will serve as the base for the pork and also add flavor to the dish.
- Place the pork tenderloin directly on top of the vegetables in the crock pot. Make sure it sits evenly so it cooks properly on all sides.
- In a separate bowl, combine the applesauce, water, Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup Mix, salt, and ground black pepper. Stir well to form a savory and slightly sweet sauce. Pour this applesauce mixture evenly over the pork tenderloin, covering as much surface area as possible for maximum flavor. I like to give the pork a gentle rub with some of the sauce—this helps boost the taste even more!
- Cover the crock pot with a lid and cook the pork on the LOW setting for 4 to 5 hours. After about 4 hours, check the pork for doneness—it should be tender and easy to slice. If not fully cooked, continue to cook for another hour. Cooking low and slow makes the pork juicy and allows the vegetables and sauce to meld together with rich flavor.
- Once the pork is cooked through, serve it hot alongside the tender vegetables and the flavorful gravy created in the crock pot. To make the meal even more comforting, I like to spoon extra sauce over the pork just before serving.
