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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Dinner » Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Loin

Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Loin

by Sarah Olson on February 14, 2022 | Updated April 20, 2022 57 Comments

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You won’t believe how tender this slow cooker cranberry pork loin is! Cranberry sauce is combined with onion soup mix in this recipe, and it’s a perfect pair. It’s a wonderful comfort food weeknight meal or can even be the main dish for a holiday dinner.

If you love a good pork loin, then cooking it in the slow cooker is a must! We love this recipe or honey apple pork loin.

cranberry pork in slow cooker, cooked

Why this recipe works

I mix Lipton onion soup mix with cranberry, which helps this dish to taste more savory than sweet. This is one of those three ingredients recipes that you can make any night of the week!

I’m excited to start the holiday recipes with this slow cooker cranberry pork loin. Typically when you think of pairing cranberry with a protein, you think turkey, but surprisingly cranberry is even better with pork!

Recipe Ingredients

ingredients for pork loin on table with text overlay
  • Pork Loin – This is the larger than a pork tenderloin and has a little bit of fat. It has amazing flavor and doesn’t dry out in the slow cooker.
  • Lipton Onion Soup Mix – This adds a punch of onion flavor to the recipe and pairs very well with cranberry
  • Whole Cranberry Sauce – I use one can of whole cranberry in this recipe, though you can use homemade cranberry sauce if you have it.

Step-by-Step Directions

cranberry sauce and onion soup mix in a bowl.

Step One – In a small bowl, add the cranberry sauce and the onion soup mix.

Step Two – Mix these two ingredients until combined.

collage on how to add pork and cranberry onion sauce to slow cooker

Step Three – Add the pork loin to the slow cooker. If your pork loin has a fatty side, place that side down.

Step Four – Pour over the cranberry/onion mixture over the pork loin.

Step Five – Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 hours.

cooked cranberry pork loin in slow cooker

What To Serve With This Recipe

Choose one or more of these options. Think holiday dinner when serving this.

  • Additional cranberry sauce – we love to serve cold cranberry on the side of this pork just as you would turkey.
  • Rice Pilaf – I make Farmstand Wild Rice Pilaf or Mashed Potatoes
  • Homemade dinner rolls
  • Bacon green beans or green bean casserole
  • Ceaser Salad – Try this ceaser dressing for the BEST ceaser salad, we make it often.
side view of cranberry pork loin in slow cooker

Variations

  • Cranberry Orange Pork Loin – Add a 1/2 cup of orange marmalade to this recipe, you’ll be amazed how well orange and cranberry go together.
  • Cranberry Pork Loin wirth Sauerkraut – Add 1 bag of sauerkraut around the pork loin. This is for all my sauerkraut lovers!
  • Pineapple Cranberry Pork Loin – Add a drained can of crushed pineapple to this recipe.
  • Flavor burst – Want to add depth of flavor and uniqueness to your recipe? Add one tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use homemade cranberry sauce in this recipe?

Yes! I have done this recipe with my homemade slow cooker cranberry sauce and had great results. Use 1 1/2 to 2 cups of fresh cranberry sauce if you have cranberry butter, that works great too!

What can be used instead of Lipton onion soup mix?

You can use a can of Campbell’s French Onion Soup (don’t add water) in place of the powdered mix. Alternatively, you can use a half cup of dried minced onions. If you can’t have onions, skip it!

What other cuts of meat will work?

Try this cranberry and onion mixture over boneless pork ribs, pork butt, or even chicken thighs.

Can jellied cranberry sauce be used?

Yes, use a can of jellied cranberry in this recipe. I know many people don’t like whole cranberry sauce and making this switch won’t affect the recipe at all.

plate with slice of pork loin, rice, green beans and side of cranberry sauce

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cranberry sauce being poured over pork loin

Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Loin Recipe

4.98 from 44 votes
Delicious holiday cranberry sauce is given a new place on your table in this savory pork loin roast. Onion soup mix gives this roast a wonderful flavor.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 385kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 4 lb. pork loin 3-4 lbs
  • 14 oz. can whole cranberry sauce
  • 1 oz. packet Lipton onion soup mix

Optional but recommended for serving

  • 1 can cranberry sauce (whole or jellied) cold cranberry sauce on the side of this pork for serving is AMAZING. Grab another can if you can.
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • In a small bowl add the cranberry sauce and the onion soup mix, stir until combined.
  • Add the pork loin into the slow cooker.
  • Pour over the cranberry mixture.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
  • Slice and serve with the sauce in the slow cooker.
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How to Video:

Recipe Notes:

Can I use homemade cranberry sauce?
Yes! If you have leftover cranberry sauce, it will work wonderfully in this recipe.
Can I use jellied cranberry sauce?
Yes! Jellied works fine in this recipe and will make a smoother sauce.
What other cuts of meat will work?
Try this cranberry and onion mixture over boneless pork ribs, pork butt, or even chicken thighs.
What can be used instead of Lipton onion soup mix?
You can use a can of Campbell’s French Onion Soup (don’t add water) in place of the powdered mix. Alternatively, you can use a half cup of dried minced onions. If you can’t have onions, skip it!
Variations
  • Cranberry Orange Pork Loin – Add a 1/2 cup of orange marmalade to this recipe, you’ll be amazed how well orange and cranberry go together.
  • Cranberry Pork Loin wirth Sauerkraut – Add 1 bag of sauerkraut around the pork loin. This is for all my sauerkraut lovers!
  • Pineapple Cranberry Pork Loin – Add a drained can of crushed pineapple to this recipe.
  • Flavor burst – Want to add depth of flavor and uniqueness to your recipe? Add one tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 8g | Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 51g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 410mg | Potassium: 887mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 21IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

Other great slow cooker pork loin recipes:

  • Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Sesame Pork Loin
  • Slow Cooker Honey Apple Pork Loin
  • Slow Cooker Green Chile Pork Loin
  • Slow Cooker Apple Barbecue Pork Loin

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    49753 shares
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    Filed Under: Dinner, Holidays, Pork

    Comments

    1. Debbie J says

      March 7, 2021 at 5:52 pm

      haven’t tried this one yet but use one from Kraft’s what’s Cooking that is our current favourite
      Slow cooker Cranberry -Orange Pork Roast Has a bit of Catalina dressing & soy sauce & orange zest & juice

      Reply
    2. Sheryl says

      December 23, 2020 at 12:37 pm

      Can I substitute jellied cranberry sauce?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 23, 2020 at 1:06 pm

        yes, that will work fine.

        Reply
        • Debra says

          January 21, 2021 at 7:19 am

          In your opinion how would the Lipton onion beef flavor soup workout with taste?

        • Sarah Olson says

          January 21, 2021 at 8:20 am

          I think it should do fine for regular onion soup already tastes beefy to me.

        • mary ingraham says

          May 6, 2021 at 1:30 pm

          I have made this, it’s wonderful………also did it with chicken breasts, also good

    3. Sarah says

      December 19, 2020 at 7:09 pm

      Do you think this recipe could transfer to an instant pot?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 20, 2020 at 10:06 am

        Hi Sarah, I think so. You will have to add some sort of watery liquid though.

        Reply
    4. Elizabeth says

      November 29, 2020 at 6:18 pm

      By accident I bought pork tenderloin. Can I use same recipe and just cook on low for 3-4 hours vs 8 hours?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        November 29, 2020 at 8:27 pm

        yes, that should work fine. I don’t think 3 hours on high would be long enough, probably more like 4. The slow cooker barely starts cooking at 2 hours.

        Reply
        • Elizabeth says

          November 30, 2020 at 4:56 am

          Thanks so much for the quick response!

    5. Kim says

      November 23, 2020 at 6:26 am

      I have made this for years and my kids love it! I sometimes add sauerkraut to it while cooking. I especially do this for New Years Eve with masked potatoes… yummmmmmmmmmy

      Reply
    6. Linda B says

      October 22, 2020 at 6:54 pm

      Can I make this with jellied cranberry sauce? That’s what my family likes.

      Reply
    7. Bobbie Humphreys says

      July 27, 2020 at 3:08 pm

      Could I use boneless pork chops instead of a pork loin?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        July 27, 2020 at 3:16 pm

        Yes, you will probably only need to do 6 hours on low.

        Reply
    8. Kay Gilbert says

      May 11, 2020 at 10:01 am

      5 stars
      I absolutely love this recipe. It’s easy to make and easy to transport! Sometimes I add baby carrots and pearl onions. Recently I’m finding that many people have low sodium diet restrictions. Can you suggest an alternative to the onion soup mix?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        May 11, 2020 at 12:02 pm

        Hi Kay! You could make your own soup mix like this recipe: https://skipthesalt.com/copycat-onion-soup-dry-mix/ though I think the pork will have plenty of sodium too.

        Reply
    9. Katelyn Swing says

      December 20, 2019 at 3:29 pm

      Can this be done with pork butt instead?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 21, 2019 at 8:02 am

        Yes! You will need to degrease the sauce and remove any fatty pieces after cooking. I degrease by laying a paper towel over the sauce.

        Reply
    10. The Intrepid Angeleno says

      November 11, 2018 at 6:48 am

      5 stars
      Got the 3 ingredients yesterday and am tossing it into the crockpot right now! Thanks for the sharing!

      Reply
      • Darlene says

        February 17, 2020 at 7:21 am

        Did you add any liquids to crock pot

        Reply
        • Sarah Olson says

          February 17, 2020 at 7:23 am

          No, the pork will make the liquid.

    11. Donna says

      April 20, 2018 at 5:35 am

      5 stars
      I made . It was amazing! And it was so easy. It would be good to serve when having company. Thank you for the recipe. I followed it exactly

      Reply
    12. char says

      March 2, 2018 at 4:25 am

      could this be made in the oven ? I am thinking covering it until the last hour to finish might be a more juicy roast . and how long would you cook this in the oven ?

      Reply
      • Jolene A Wilson says

        July 28, 2020 at 3:55 pm

        4 stars
        Convert the time. If the recipe required that the food needed to cook for a certain amount of time on “Low,” divide that number by 4 to get the oven time at 325 degrees F. If the dish needs to cook in a slow cooker on “Low” for 8 hours, it will only take 2 hours, covered, at 325 degrees F.

        Reply
    13. Ali says

      December 17, 2017 at 1:06 pm

      Hi Sarah, can I do this recipe and cook on high for less time? And if so, how long should I cook on high? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 19, 2017 at 8:25 am

        I believe 4 hours on high would work fine

        Reply
    14. Kathy says

      November 18, 2017 at 9:04 pm

      Sarah, whenever I use a slow cooker (regardless of the recipe &/or meat) my meat ALWAYS tastes dry. It can be falling off the bone, shredding like a dream, but tastes dry. How can I prevent that or is it just the nature of the beast when cooking with a slow cooker?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        November 18, 2017 at 9:16 pm

        Some meats tend to be dry to me sometimes too. My favorites that don’t ever seem dry are chicken thighs, chuck roast and pork butt. The most fattening meats of course.

        Reply
      • Kathy says

        July 28, 2020 at 3:22 pm

        Add a can (8 ounces) of red or white wine)

        Reply
        • Sarah Olson says

          July 28, 2020 at 3:53 pm

          I think that would be a great addition!

    15. Betti F says

      October 11, 2017 at 11:49 am

      Sarah, a similar but really I think better recipe I have made for years and is always a big hit with company. 3-4 lb pork loin, then mix 1 package Lipton onion soup mix, 1 cup dried cranberries, 1 can crushed pineapple with juice together and pour over pork. I suspect your whole cranberry sauce would work just as well as the dried cranberries, Cook the same as yours. oh my, is this good.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        October 11, 2017 at 5:21 pm

        Hi Betti! Your recipe sounds really good! I need to make the time to try it!

        Reply
        • Patsy Partain says

          October 30, 2017 at 3:19 pm

          Sarah, how long do you recommend a pork loin weighing only 2lbs to cook using this recipe & crockpot cooking method?

        • Sarah Olson says

          October 30, 2017 at 5:09 pm

          I think 6 hours on low. 🙂

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