Can You Put Frozen Pork Loin in the Crockpot
Slow cooking a pork loin is such an easy and delicious dinner for the entire family to enjoy. But can you put a frozen pork loin in the crock pot? We are going to explore the answer to this question, including the best practices for food safety, as well as share a delicious crockpot recipe for pork loin with you!
Before we directly answer the question, if you can cook a frozen pork roast in a crockpot, let’s first explain what the danger zone is. Understanding when a danger zone occurs in temperature for the frozen meat, is key to answering the question of whether you can cook a frozen pork loin in a slow cooker or not.
The Danger Zone
The danger zone is when frozen meat sits at a lower temperature than it should, for a longer period of time than is recommended by the food safety guidelines. A safe temperature for food is when it is stored at 40°F or below, or as it is cooking it should be at higher temperatures.
The actual danger zone is when food sits at a temperature of 41°F to 135°F. If food sits there for a long time, it runs the risk of growing unwanted bacteria, and ultimately causing food poisoning or serious illnesses.
Crockpots and slow cookers both cook food at low temperatures for a longer period of time. This makes it nice because you can make dinner in the morning then leave it on while you are at work all day, then come home to a prepared meal.
However, when we’re talking about frozen meat it’s a bad idea to allow it to sit in the danger zone for extended amounts of time. It’s really risky to let the meat sit in the danger zone temperature range, which is why it’s not recommended to eat frozen meat cooked in a crockpot.
Can you put a frozen pork loin in the crockpot to cook?
You should not cook frozen pork loin in a crockpot because it will sit in the danger zone temperature range for an extended amount of time before the meat fully cooks. This results in the meat growing unwanted bacteria and could result in serious food poisoning.
If you’re going to cook meat in a crockpot, then you must first thaw the frozen pork loin, and then cook the thawed pork loin in the slow cooker.
Cooking thawed meat in the crockpot is different then when you try to cook frozen meat in the crockpot. This is because your frozen meat goes from such a cold state, and takes a long time to warm up to where it’s actually cooking.
This is compared to thawed meat, which will begin cooking soon after it is added into your crockpot. Slow cookers are unique in this, because they are designed to cook low and slow, for longer amounts of time. This is why it is not recommended to put frozen meat inside of your slow cooker or crockpot.
Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Recipe
Although using a frozen roast or frozen tenderloin is so tempting, as we have established already you should not cook frozen meat in the crockpot, because it sets in the danger range of temperature for far too much time before it actually cooks.
However, you can cook the pork loin in a crockpot after it has been thawed. This is the best way to make dinner for the whole family any night of the week with just a few minutes of prep time.
I am so excited to share this recipe with you to help you make a juicy pork loin roast, with a frozen pork loin that has been thawed. But before we can start the crock pot pork loin recipe, we must first thaw out the frozen pork tenderloin.
Although there are a few different ways you could thaw the meat, let’s look at the easiest ways, and the best ways, to thaw out the pork loin to cook.
In the fridge. The best way to thaw out your frozen pork loin is to remove it from the freezer and place it in the fridge overnight, or until it is thawed. That way it is thawed and ready to go the next day.
In the fridge in cold water. Another easy way, which will allow the pork loin to thaw a little faster is to fill a bowl with cold water, and then add your pork loin. Place the whole bowl with the pork loin and cold water inside of the fridge for a few hours or overnight the cold water will help your pork loin to thaw faster.
When you have nicely thawed meat, you are ready to prepare the pork loin for the crockpot! Let’s jump into the ingredients you will need to make this delicious, yet easy recipe.
Slow Cooker Pork Loin Recipe
Boneless Pork Loin. You will want a 3-5 pound pork loin it has been completely thawed for this crockpot recipe. It can be as large or small as you want, but you will want to make sure that it will fit inside your crockpot.
Keep in mind if it’s larger, you will need to allow additional time for it to cook.
Olive Oil. Using olive oil as the base of your brine will help the seasonings to stick to your pork and will help it to cook up nicely. You may substitute olive oil for another type of oil such as vegetable oil or canola oil if desired.
Soy Sauce. A little bit of soy sauce added to your pork loin will help give it salt and flavor. If you prefer, you can skip this ingredient, but a little bit added does taste lovely.
Brown Sugar. Brown sugar added onto your pork loin will help sweeten the pork loin. Brown sugar is such a delicious addition, I strongly recommend that you include it.
Garlic Powder. A little bit of garlic powder will help to see in your pork loin and give it a little hint of garlic flavor.
Chicken Broth. Adding chicken broth will help to keep your pork loin nice and tender as it cooks. This is a great way to end up with a juicy pork loin.
How to Make Crock Pot Pork Loin Roast
First, you will need to thaw the meat. To do this, I recommend putting the frozen pork loin in the fridge overnight or for a day so that it can thaw completely.
When you are ready to start cooking it, begin by making the delicious dry rub. In a small mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, garlic powder, and soy sauce. Wisk to combine.
Remove the pork loin from the packaging, and rub the entire outside of the pork with olive oil. Then take your rub, and sprinkle it so that the outside of the pork is covered in it. Place it in the crockpot and add chicken broth, then cover with a lid.
You can use the low heat setting or high heat setting on your crockpot. Your cooking temperature will determine how fast the pork loin cooks.
To cook your pork loin on low, the cooking time will be approximately 7-8 hours, or on high, for an approximate cooking time of 4-5 hours. Please note that the exact cook time may vary slightly depending on how big your pork loin is and your specific crockpot.
To tell when your pork loin is done cooking, you want to check the internal temperature of your roast with a meat thermometer. You will want the instant-read thermometer to read 145 degrees F, and the pork loin should be fork tender.
Fork-tender meat is when you insert a fork into your cooked meat, and it is nice and soft, and often pulls away easily.
When your pork loin is fully cooked, remove it from the crockpot and allow it to rest for a few minutes on a cutting board. Then slice the pork roast and serve. Enjoy!
Storage of Leftover Pork Loin
Room Temperature. When your crockpot is not actively cooking the pork loin, your pork loin should not sit at room temperature for any more than two hours when the room temperature is between 40°F and 90°F before you run the risk of it growing unwanted bacteria and going bad.
If your room temperature is 90°F or above, then it is only safe at room temperature for one hour before it goes bad.
In the fridge. For longer storage, you will want to transfer your leftover pork loin, to an airtight container, or seal in a plastic storage bag. Then place it into the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
Side Dishes to Enjoy with Pork Loin
You might be looking for a delicious and easy side dish to enjoy with your crockpot pork loin roast. It doesn’t take much to turn this tasty pork loin into a complete, delicious meal.
You can add additional vegetables, such as potatoes or carrots into the crockpot as it cooks if you would like, this makes a delicious and easy side dish.
Or you can simply serve your pork loin with green beans, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, or a side salad. It doesn’t take much to turn this crockpot recipe into a delicious meal.
Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast
Although it’s not a good idea to cook a frozen pork loin in the crockpot because it said that the danger zone for too long. You can thaw out the pork loin with minimal effort, then follow our simple recipe to enjoy your pork loin in the crockpot, making a family favorite meal, with just a few minutes of hands-on effort.
Now that you know the best practices for cooking your pork loin in the crockpot, it’s time to get started making your dinner.
Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope this has been helpful to you!
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Can you put Frozen Pork Loin in the Crock Pot
Equipment
- Crockpot or slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 Boneless Pork Loin
- 3-4 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- First, you will need to thaw the meat. To do this, I recommend putting the frozen pork loin in the fridge overnight, or for a day so that it can thaw completely.
- When you are ready to start cooking it, begin by making the delicious dry rub. In a small mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, garlic powder, and soy sauce. Wisk to combine.
- Remove the pork loin from the packaging, and rub the entire outside of the pork with olive oil. Then take your rub, and sprinkle it so that the outside of the pork is covered in it. Place it in the crockpot and add chicken broth, then cover with a lid.
- You can use the low heat setting or high heat setting on your crockpot. Your cooking temperature will determine how fast the pork loin cooks.
- To cook your pork loin on low, the cooking time will be approximately 7-8 hours, or on high, for an approximate cooking time of 4-5 hours. Please note that the exact cook time may vary slightly depending on how big your pork loin is, and your specific crockpot.
- To tell when your pork loin is done cooking, you want to check the internal temperature of your roast with a meat thermometer. You will want the instant-read thermometer to read 145 degrees F, and the pork loin should be fork tender, meaning when you insert a fork, it should be nice and tender.
- When your pork loin is fully cooked, remove it from the crockpot and allow it to rest for a few minutes on a cutting board. Then slice the pork roast and serve. Enjoy!
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