3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Loin

Looking for the easiest dinner recipe that’s also a guaranteed crowd-pleaser? This 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Loin is it!

Imagine slicing into perfectly tender pork that practically falls apart with your fork, coated in a glossy sweet and savory pineapple glaze that has just the right balance of tangy fruit and rich BBQ flavor. Every bite is juicy, flavorful, and absolutely irresistible. Your family will think you spent hours in the kitchen creating this masterpiece, but here’s the secret: it took you about 5 minutes of actual work!

This is the ultimate “dump-and-go” meal. Just 5 minutes of prep for a dinner that tastes like you worked on it all day. No fancy techniques, no complicated ingredient lists, no stress. Just three simple ingredients, your trusty slow cooker, and a few hours of hands-off cooking time. Whether you’re feeding picky kids, hosting a casual dinner party, or just want an effortless weeknight meal, this recipe is about to become your new go-to!

Why You’ll Be Making This Pineapple Pork Loin on Repeat

Trust me when I say this Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Loin is going to earn a permanent spot in your weekly dinner rotation. Here’s why it’s absolutely perfect:

First off, it’s insanely easy. We’re talking just 3 simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. No hunting down exotic spices or making special trips to specialty stores. No complicated marinades or multiple cooking steps. You literally dump everything into your crockpot, press start, and walk away. If you can open a can and pour a bottle, you can make this recipe!

Second, the flavor profile is universally loved. It’s sweet, savory, and incredibly kid-friendly. The pineapple adds natural sweetness and a tropical brightness, while the BBQ sauce brings that familiar tangy-smoky flavor everyone adores. Even picky eaters who claim they don’t like pork will ask for seconds of this dish. I’ve served it to countless families, and I’ve never had anyone turn it down!

Third—and this is huge—the pork loin comes out perfectly tender and juicy, never dry. This is the #1 concern I hear about cooking pork, especially lean cuts like pork loin. But the magic of the slow cooker combined with the moisture from the pineapple creates a self-basting environment that keeps the meat incredibly succulent. You’ll be amazed at how moist and flavorful it turns out!

And finally, it’s essentially a “one-pot” meal with minimal cleanup. Everything cooks together in the crockpot, so you’re not dirtying a dozen pans and dishes. Just toss in your ingredients, let it cook, and when dinner’s done, you’ve only got the crockpot insert to wash. More time eating, less time cleaning—exactly how it should be!

Your 3-Ingredient “Dump-and-Go” Shopping List

One of the best things about this Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Loin is how ridiculously short the shopping list is. You need exactly three things to make this happen:

1. Pork Loin (or Pork Tenderloin)
Look for a 2-3 pound pork loin roast in the meat section of your grocery store. Pork loin is that long, lean cut that’s usually wrapped in netting or tied with butcher’s twine. You can also use pork tenderloin if that’s what you find—it’s a smaller, more slender cut that will cook a bit faster (think 4-5 hours on low instead of 6-8). Either one works beautifully in this recipe!

2. Canned Crushed Pineapple
Grab a 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple, and here’s the important part: make sure it’s packed in juice, not syrup, and don’t drain it! We want all that pineapple juice because it creates the sauce and keeps the pork incredibly moist. The crushed variety works better than chunks because it distributes more evenly and creates a better glaze.

3. BBQ Sauce
Use your favorite brand—whether that’s a classic smoky BBQ sauce, a sweet honey BBQ, or a tangy vinegar-based sauce. You’ll need about 1 to 1½ cups. The BBQ sauce adds depth and that familiar savory element that balances out the sweetness of the pineapple perfectly. If you want to switch things up, you can also use soy sauce or teriyaki sauce for an Asian-inspired twist!

Optional 4th Ingredient:
While this recipe is amazing with just the three main ingredients, sometimes I like to add a little extra flavor punch with some minced garlic (about 3 cloves) or fresh grated ginger (about 1 tablespoon). It’s totally optional, but if you have it on hand, it adds a lovely aromatic layer!

How to Make Your Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Loin

Making this Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Loin is honestly the easiest thing you’ll do all week. The entire process takes about 5 minutes of hands-on time, and then your crockpot does all the work while you go about your day. Here’s the simple breakdown:

Step 1: Place the pork loin in the crockpot
Remove any netting or butcher’s twine from your pork loin, and place it right in the bottom of your slow cooker. You don’t need to sear it, season it, or do anything fancy. Just plop it in there! If your pork loin is too long for your crockpot, you can either cut it in half or curl it slightly to fit—it’ll all work out perfectly.

Step 2: Dump the entire can of crushed pineapple over the top
Open your can of crushed pineapple and pour the entire thing—fruit AND juice—right over the pork. Don’t drain it! That juice is liquid gold and it’s going to create the most amazing sauce. Use a spoon to spread the pineapple around a bit so it covers as much of the pork as possible.

Step 3: Pour the BBQ sauce over that
Grab your BBQ sauce and pour about 1 to 1½ cups right over the pineapple and pork. You want to create nice layers of flavor. If you’re adding garlic or ginger, toss it in now and give everything a gentle stir to combine.

Step 4: Put the lid on and cook on low for 6-8 hours
That’s it! Seriously, you’re done with the hard part. Put the lid on your slow cooker, set it to LOW, and let it cook for 6-8 hours (or on HIGH for 3-4 hours if you’re in a hurry). The pork is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F and is fork-tender. When it’s ready, you can slice it into thick medallions or shred it with two forks—either way, it’ll be fall-apart delicious!

Our Favorite Ways to Serve Pineapple Pork

Now that you’ve made this gorgeous Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Loin, let’s talk about the best ways to serve it! The beauty of this recipe is how versatile it is—you can dress it up or keep it casual depending on your mood. Here are my family’s absolute favorite serving suggestions:

Over a bed of fluffy white rice
This is our #1 go-to way to serve this pork! Cook up a big pot of white rice (or use your rice cooker to make it even easier), and pile the sliced or shredded pork right on top. Then—and this is the best part—drizzle that incredible pineapple BBQ sauce from the crockpot all over everything. The rice soaks up all that sweet and savory goodness, and every bite is absolute perfection. You could also use brown rice, jasmine rice, or even cauliflower rice if you’re looking for a lower-carb option.

Piled high on slider buns for easy sandwiches
Shred the pork and load it onto soft slider buns or Hawaiian rolls for the easiest pulled pork sandwiches ever! The combination of tender pork, sweet pineapple sauce, and soft bread is totally crave-worthy. This is especially great for game day gatherings, potlucks, or casual weeknight dinners. I like to add a little crunchy coleslaw on top for texture contrast—the creamy, cool slaw against the warm, sweet pork is chef’s kiss!

With a side of steamed broccoli or green beans
Keep things light and balanced by serving your pineapple pork with simple steamed vegetables. Broccoli and green beans are our favorites because their mild flavor lets the pork shine, plus they add that healthy green element to your plate. You can steam them in the microwave in just a few minutes while the pork is finishing up. Drizzle a little of that pineapple sauce over the veggies too—it makes even the pickiest kids excited about eating their greens!

How to Use Leftover Pork (Amazing for Meal Prep!)

Here’s one of my favorite things about this Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Loin: it makes incredible leftovers! In fact, I often make a bigger roast than I need just so I have extra for easy meals throughout the week. The flavors actually deepen and get even better after a day or two in the fridge. Here are some creative and delicious ways to use up that leftover pork:

Tacos with a little slaw
Shred your leftover pork and warm it up in a skillet with a splash of the leftover sauce. Pile it into soft flour tortillas or crunchy taco shells, and top with a quick cabbage slaw (just shred some cabbage and toss it with lime juice, a pinch of salt, and a drizzle of mayo). The combination of sweet pork, tangy slaw, and fresh lime is absolutely addictive. Add some fresh cilantro and diced avocado if you’re feeling fancy!

Quesadillas
This is my kids’ favorite way to eat the leftovers! Spread some shredded pork and shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend all work great) between two flour tortillas. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown and crispy on both sides and the cheese is melted. Cut into wedges and serve with sour cream, salsa, and guacamole. It’s like a Hawaiian BBQ quesadilla, and it disappears in minutes!

Topping for a “Hawaiian-style” baked potato
This might sound unusual, but trust me—it’s amazing! Bake a large russet potato until fluffy, then split it open and fluff up the insides with a fork. Load it up with warm shredded pork, a spoonful of that pineapple BBQ sauce, and maybe a sprinkle of shredded cheese and green onions. It’s like a loaded baked potato met a tropical vacation, and it’s absolutely delicious. This makes such a satisfying lunch or easy dinner!

The pork will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, or you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Just make sure to store it with some of the sauce to keep it moist!

FAQs

Can I use a pork shoulder or butt instead of loin?
Absolutely! Pork shoulder or pork butt are actually fantastic choices for this recipe because they have more marbling and fat, which means they’ll be incredibly tender and perfect for shredding. The main difference is cooking time—these tougher cuts need longer to break down, so you’ll want to cook them on LOW for 8-10 hours instead of 6-8. The result will be super tender, pull-apart pork that’s perfect for sandwiches and tacos. Pork loin is leaner and will slice more cleanly, while shoulder/butt is richer and better for shredding. Both are delicious—just depends on what texture you’re going for!

Will my pork loin get dry in the slow cooker?
Nope! This is one of the beautiful things about this recipe. Even though pork loin is a lean cut that can dry out with traditional cooking methods, the slow cooker environment keeps it incredibly moist. The pineapple juice and BBQ sauce create a braising liquid that surrounds the pork and keeps it juicy throughout the cooking process. The low, gentle heat means the pork cooks slowly and evenly without losing moisture. As long as you don’t overcook it (stick to the 6-8 hour timeframe on LOW, or use a meat thermometer to check for 145°F internal temp), your pork will be perfectly juicy every single time!

Can I use fresh pineapple?
While fresh pineapple is delicious, I actually don’t recommend it for this particular recipe. Fresh pineapple contains enzymes (called bromelain) that can break down protein and make the meat texture mushy or mealy if cooked for long periods. Canned pineapple has been heat-treated during the canning process, which deactivates those enzymes, making it perfect for slow cooking. Plus, canned crushed pineapple comes with all that wonderful juice that creates our sauce! If you really want to use fresh, I’d suggest adding it during the last hour of cooking so it doesn’t have as much time to affect the meat texture.

Conclusion

This Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Loin is about to become your new weeknight favorite. It’s just so easy and so, so delicious! With only three ingredients and five minutes of prep, you can have a restaurant-quality dinner that your whole family will devour. The pork comes out incredibly tender and juicy every single time, coated in that irresistible sweet and savory pineapple glaze that makes everyone ask for seconds.

Whether you serve it over rice, pile it on slider buns, or transform the leftovers into tacos and quesadillas, this versatile recipe is going to save you on those busy weeknights when you need dinner to practically make itself. The best part? Your house will smell absolutely amazing all day long!

Give this 3-ingredient wonder a try this week! You won’t regret it. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you look like a kitchen rockstar with almost zero effort. Come back and let me know how much your family loved it in the comments below, and be sure to save this recipe to your “Easy Dinners” board on Pinterest so you can make it again and again!