Slow cooker pork and potatoes is a hearty meal where tender pork, potatoes, onions, and bell pepper cooks in a savory homemade gravy. The gravy cooks directly in the crockpot with the pork and vegetables; there is no canned soup, packaged gravy mix, or separate saucepan needed. This easy crockpot dinner is perfect for busy weeknights, Sunday dinner, or whenever you are craving a satisfying meat-and-potatoes meal.
Ingredients For Slow Cooker Pork and Potatoes
- Pork loin roast: Use a boneless pork loin roast weighing approximately 2.5 to 3 pounds. Pork loin is large enough to cook alongside the potatoes and can be sliced neatly for serving. Pork loin and pork tenderloin are different cuts. Tenderloin is smaller and cooks too quickly for this particular recipe.
- Potatoes: Russet potatoes that are peeled and cut in half. Other suggestions include baby Yukon gold or red potatoes
- Onion: Sliced onion softens as it cooks and adds savory flavor to the homemade gravy.
- Green bell pepper: Green bell pepper complements the pork, onion, and gravy while giving the recipe its smothered-pork character. Cut it into relatively thick slices because it will soften considerably during slow cooking.
- Chicken broth: Low-sodium chicken broth forms the base of the gravy. Using low-sodium broth allows you to control the overall salt level.
- Cornstarch or arrowroot starch: Cornstarch thickens the broth while the pork and vegetables cook. Arrowroot starch may be used as an alternative.
- Seasonings: Thyme, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper create a savory seasoning blend that complements both the pork and gravy.
- Oil: Oil used to bind the seasonings to the pork before adding to the slow cooker.
How To Make Slow Cooker Pork and Potatoes
Slow Cooker
- Add gravy seasonings to the slow cooker. Whisk until well blended and there are no lumps.
- In a small bowl, mix together all the thyme, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Rub the oil on top of the pork and then rub the seasonings evenly all over on each side. Place the seasoned pork loin into the slow cooker along with the potatoes.
- Top with the onion and bell pepper.
- Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW 6 to 8.
- Serve the gravy over the pork & vegetables.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- A complete meal: Pork, potatoes, vegetables, and gravy all cook together in the slow cooker.
- Homemade gravy: The gravy is prepared without canned cream soup or store-bought gravy packets.
- Easy preparation: Once the ingredients are added, the slow cooker does most of the work.
- Classic comfort food: Tender pork, potatoes, and savory gravy make this a satisfying family-friendly dinner.
- Simple ingredients: The recipe uses an affordable cut of pork, fresh vegetables, broth, and pantry seasonings.
- Easy to customize: Add mushrooms, carrots, or different seasonings to suit your preferences.
- Great for leftovers: The pork and vegetables reheat well when stored with the gravy.
FAQs & Tips
What Is pork and potatoes?
This is similar to smothered pork where pork cooks in a flavorful gravy, frequently with vegetables such as onions and bell peppers. Cooking the meat directly in the gravy helps flavor the pork while creating a rich sauce to spoon over the finished meal.
Why use pork loin?
Pork loin is a good choice because its size and cooking time are better suited to the potatoes than a smaller pork tenderloin. It also produces attractive slices that can be served with the vegetables and gravy. Pork loin is relatively lean, so I suggest using a meat thermometer and avoid cooking it longer than necessary.
Is pork loin the same as pork tenderloin?
Nope. Pork loin is a wide roast that typically weighs several pounds. Pork tenderloin is a narrow, very lean cut that is usually sold in smaller portions. I do not suggest using pork tenderloin with this recipe unless you omit the potatoes. Tenderloin cooks much faster and may become dry before the potatoes are tender. Make sure the package says pork loin roast.
Can you use pork chops?
Yes. Thick, bone-in pork chops can replace the pork loin. Avoid thin or very lean boneless chops because they can dry out before the potatoes finish cooking. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the chops. Pork chops are done when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
Can you use a different potato?
Yes. Yukon gold and red potatoes are preferable because they are less likely to break apart in the gravy.
How does the gravy cook directly in the slow cooker?
The broth, cornstarch, and gravy seasonings are whisked together before the pork and vegetables are added. As the mixture heats, the starch thickens the broth and combines with the juices released by the pork. After removing the cooked pork, stir the vegetables and whisk the gravy until smooth.
How do you keep pork loin from drying out?
Begin checking the pork at the lower end of the suggested cooking range. Remove it when the thickest part reaches 145°F and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing.
Do not automatically cook pork loin for 8 hours. It is leaner than pork shoulder and can become dry during an extended cooking time.
Can you make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes. Cornstarch is naturally gluten-free, but check the labels on the chicken broth and seasonings to ensure they are also gluten-free.
Can you make this paleo or Whole30 compatible?
Use arrowroot starch in place of cornstarch and verify that your broth and seasonings are compliant. Potatoes are permitted on Whole30.
How do you know when the pork is done?
Pork loin is done when the thickest part reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. Insert the thermometer into the center of the meat without touching the bottom of the slow cooker.
How do you store leftovers?
Store leftover crockpot smothered pork & potatoes in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
What size slow cooker did you use?
I use a 6-quart slow cooker for this recipe.
Pork Recipes
PrintSlow Cooker Pork and Potatoes
Slow cooker pork and potatoes is a hearty meal where tender pork, potatoes, onions, and bell pepper cooks in a savory homemade gravy. The gravy cooks directly in the crockpot with the pork and vegetables; there is no canned soup, packaged gravy mix, or separate saucepan needed. This easy crockpot dinner is perfect for busy weeknights, Sunday dinner, or whenever you are craving a satisfying meat-and-potatoes meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free, Whole30
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 to 3 pounds boneless pork loin roast
- 1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut in half
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 large green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 tablespoon oil of your choice
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Homemade Gravy
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth
- 1/3 cup cornstarch or arrowroot starch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add gravy seasonings to the slow cooker. Whisk until well blended and there are no lumps.
- In a small bowl, mix together all the thyme, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Rub the oil on top of the pork and then rub the seasonings evenly all over on each side. Place the seasoned pork loin into the slow cooker along with the potatoes.
- Top with the onion and bell pepper.
- Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW 6 to 8.
- Serve the gravy over the pork & vegetables.
This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on one of the product links, I might receive compensation. For more about my disclosure policy see here: https://fitslowcookerqueen.com/about/disclosure-policy/.
