Slow‑cooking pork and meatball dishes is one of the most forgiving, flavor-packed ways to get dinner on the table. Low and slow heat breaks down tough connective tissue and lets meats soak up sauces and seasonings until they’re tender, juicy, and full of depth. Whether you’re after sweet‑and‑savory pork chops, tangy BBQ pulled pork, or hearty meatballs simmered in sauce, a slow cooker can turn simple ingredients into comfort food that stays moist and satisfying. Many of these recipes are perfect for busy days, you throw everything in, forget it for hours, and come back to rich aromas and ready-to-serve meals.

Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatballs

Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatballs. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Tender meatballs bubble all day in rich barbecue sauce until juicy and fully flavored. The sauce thickens slightly, coating each meatball with sweet‑tangy glaze, great over rice, mashed potatoes, or slider buns. Easy to prep ahead and a crowd‑pleaser at family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatballs

Slow Cooker Apple Pork Loin

Slow Cooker Apple Pork Loin. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Pork loin roasts gently with apple slices or juice and seasonings, infusing the meat with subtle fruit sweetness and moisture. As it cooks, the loin becomes tender and aromatic; the apples add a touch of natural sweetness that pairs well with pork’s mild flavor. Excellent for fall meals or cozy dinners.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Apple Pork Loin

Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce

Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This cut, with its marbling and fat, becomes fall‑apart tender over hours in the slow cooker. A mustard‑based BBQ sauce adds tang and depth, cutting through the richness of the meat. Once it’s done, the pork shreds easily and is perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or over rice.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce

Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast

A white bowl with slow cooker Italian pork roast, potatoes and carrots.
Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Seasoned with Italian herbs and aromatics, this pork roast slowly cooks until it’s juicy and flavorful all the way through. The low, slow cooking lets flavors meld deeply, making slices ideal for pasta toppers, sandwiches, or a cozy dinner plate. Simple prep, rich Italian‑style result.
Get the Recipe: Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast

Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Loin

Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Loin. Photo credit: .

A pork loin simmers gently with a sweet‑tangy cranberry glaze or sauce. The tartness of the cranberries contrasts the pork’s richness, producing a well‑balanced dish with holiday or comfort‑food vibes. Great for weeknight dinners or festive meals.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Loin

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork. Photo credit: .

Chunks of pork simmer in a sweet‑and‑sour sauce until tender, absorbing the balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors. The slow cooker method keeps the meat soft while letting the sauce deepen and thicken. Great poured over rice for a simple, flavorful dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork

Slow Cooker Chinese Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Chinese Pork Chops. Photo credit: .

Pork chops braise slowly in a sauce with Asian‑inspired flavors, soy, ginger, garlic, and other aromatics, until tender and inflected with savory depth. The slow cooking keeps them juicy and stable, avoiding dryness that can happen with conventional frying. A comforting, easy‑to‑make takeout‑style meal at home.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chinese Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pork Chops. Photo credit: .

These chops simmer with a sweet brown‑sugar glaze or sauce, resulting in tender meat with a caramelized, slightly sweet coating. The low, gentle heat preserves juiciness while the sugar melds into a rich, comforting flavor. Great paired with simple sides for a homey meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork

Image shows an overhead shot of Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork on a blue plate served with rice.
Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

A garlic‑forward rub or sauce infuses the pork as it cooks slowly, the result is a deeply savory, aromatic roast that falls apart easily. The long cook time helps the garlic flavor penetrate and mellow just right. Ideal for slicing, shredding, or serving as a main dish.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps

Two lettuce wraps filled with shredded meat and mixed slaw, placed on a plate.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Slow‑cooked pork shoulder or loin shreds easily after hours, ready to be piled into crisp lettuce leaves instead of buns. The meat soaks up sauces and seasoning, giving you a lighter‑style pulled pork that’s full of flavor but a bit fresher and lower‑carb. Great for easy lunches or healthy dinners.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps

Brown Sugar Crockpot Pork

Shredded pork on a white plate.
Brown Sugar Crockpot Pork. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

This version blends pork with a sweet brown sugar‑based sauce in the slow cooker, giving the meat a warm, caramelized finish when it’s done. The slow and steady heat keeps the pork moist while the sauce glazes it beautifully. Ideal for a simple, cozy dinner with minimal fuss.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Crockpot Pork

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

A slow cooker filled with pulled pork topped with BBQ sauce.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

A classic, pork shoulder or butt cooks low and slow until the meat is tender enough to shred by hand or fork. The long cook breaks down connective tissue fully, creating juicy strands perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or served over rice. Sauce it up however you like — barbecue, vinegar, or sweet and spicy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Balsamic Pork Loin

Slow Cooker Balsamic Pork Loin. Photo credit: .

Pork loin simmers gently with a sauce of balsamic vinegar, garlic, and maybe honey or herbs, absorbing tangy‑sweet‑savory flavors as it cooks. The slow method keeps the meat soft and juicy while letting the flavors deepen. A nice balance of elegance and ease, great for dinners that feel a little more special.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Balsamic Pork Loin

Slow Cooker Pork Loin in Crock Pot

Pork tenderloin on a cutting board next to a slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Pork Loin in Crock Pot. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Simple, straightforward, and classic, pork loin roasts slowly until tender, often with onions, broth, and seasonings. The result is juicy, sliceable meat that’s easy to serve. Leftovers reheat nicely or work in sandwiches and wraps.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Loin in Crock Pot

Slow Cooker Marry Me Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Marry Me Pork Chops. Photo credit: .

Pork chops braised slowly in a creamy, flavorful sauce, until fork‑tender. The slow cooker melds all flavors and keeps the chops moist, turning a simple dinner into something rich and satisfying. Great served over pasta, rice, or with mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Marry Me Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Balsamic Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Balsamic Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Pork shoulder or butt becomes shreddable after hours and gets coated with a tangy balsamic glaze or sauce. The slow cooking breaks down fat and collagen, creating tender meat that soaks up the sauce deeply. Use it in sandwiches, salads, or over grains for a flavorful, saucy meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Balsamic Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Slow cooker pork chops with rice and sauce on a plate.
Slow Cooker Pork Chops. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Pork chops braise slowly with seasoning or sauce until tender and juicy instead of dry and tough. The long, low heat melts fat and tenderizes the meat. A simple, busy‑day friendly dinner that still feels homey.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Easy Keto Crockpot Pork Chops

Easy Keto Crockpot Pork Chops with mushrooms, onions and parsley on a white plate.
Easy Keto Crockpot Pork Chops. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Lean pork chops slow‑cooked with minimal carbs, skip sweet sauces, go heavy on herbs, spices, maybe a buttery broth. Slow cooking still keeps them tender, while letting the natural pork flavor shine. Great with non‑starchy sides for a keto‑friendly dinner.
Get the Recipe: Easy Keto Crockpot Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork

Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork. Photo credit: .

Chunks or a roast of pork cook with pineapple, juice or slices, giving the meat a sweet‑tangy glaze and tender texture. The fruit’s acidity helps tenderize while adding bright flavor layers. Serve with rice or veggies for a sweet‑savory tropical‑style meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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