Easy Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Apples Recipe
Slow cooker pork roast with apples is the best meal for busy families. Serve with sweet potatoes and it’s just about perfect.
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f you’re looking for an easy fall dinner, this slow cooker pork roast with apples is one you need to try. It only takes four ingredients and about 10 minutes to get everything in the crock pot. Dinner is done!
Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Apples
I’m always using my slow cooker. My website is called Keeping Life Sane because I share tips and tricks that make your life easier. Slow cooker meals are easy recipes and save a ton of time.
I just bought a new crock pot because my other one went kaput. The black bowl had a huge crack down the bottom and was leaking liquid all over the place. It felt so good to open the box and see that nice clean bowl! Isn't it funny how the little things make us happy?
Anyway...I've been trying to use my crockpot more since school started. I have kids in soccer, lacrosse, football, and baseball. We also have faith formation and guitar lessons in there too! I barely have enough time to cook.
Sometimes I start dinner when the kids leave for school because that's the only time I have to cook anything. When we get home at night, we just heat it back up. Slow cooker meals can be hit or miss with my kids. They love this recipe!
They tend to think beef is dry so I've been sticking with pork and chicken. Hopefully, I can get time to throw some new recipes up here and share them with you.
I tend to make a lot of roasted pork and pork chops because it's inexpensive and you can season it many different ways. I can grill it, put it in the oven and even cook it in the Instant Pot.
Kitchen Tools Essentials
Cutting Board Mats– These are one of the favorite things I have in the kitchen. They don’t take up much space so they’re easy to store. They are great for adding ingredients to mixing bowls and hot pots.
Apple Slicer- I thought it was a silly purchase at the time, but I LOVE it and use it probably 5 times a week. If you don't have one, get it!
Crock Pot/ Slow Cooker- Here's a basic slow cooker. It's the one I have and it's inexpensive and does the job well. Sometimes a basic kitchen appliance works better than one with all the bells and whistles.
Glass Jars- These aren't necessary, but I have them and love them. I store my brown sugar in one and the jar keeps it moist and soft so it's always ready to use, with no hard lumps or drying out.
Ingredients to make crock pot pork and apples.
The GREAT thing about this recipe is that it has only 4 ingredients!
- Pork roast- I try to get around 2lbs.
- Brown sugar- You don't need a lot of sugar in this recipe, but just enough to sweeten the apples.
- Granny Smith apples- These are the green apples you find in the store. This type of apple is good for cooking because it holds its shape well. You can peel these apples for this recipe or keep them on. I keep the peel on because I usually don’t want to spend extra time peeling them.
- Cinnamon- This is the best part of this recipe! It gives it that fall flavor you're looking for.
How to make slow cooker pork Roast and apples.
Step 1
Place your boneless pork roast in the slow cooker. You can sprinkle the pork roast with salt and black pepper if you'd like, but it's not necessary.
Step 2
Add the apple slices on top of your pork.
Step 3
Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
Step 4
The cook time on this is 6 hours on low or until done.
Doesn't it look delicious? Pair it with sweet potato fries, a baked sweet potato or even mashed potatoes for a great fall meal.
Instant Pot Instructions
Don't worry if you forgot to start dinner in your slow cooker, you can make it in your Instant Pot. Place the ingredients in the same way and set the timer to 20 minutes. Do a quick release and you're done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Pork Loin or pork chops instead of a pork roast?
Yes! You can use pork chops. I recommend using boneless pork chops. Cooking time will be less. I often substitute pork loin in the recipe. I normally buy whats on sale.
What kind of apples are best for pork and apples?
I like Granny Smith apples because their tart flavor pairs really well with the brown sugar and cinnamon. You can also use Honeycrisp or another firm apple if that's what you have on hand. Softer apples may break down more during cooking.
Do I need to peel the apples?
No, you don't have to peel them. I usually leave the peels on because it's one less step and they help the apple pieces hold together while cooking. If your family prefers peeled apples, that's fine too.
Can I cook this pork and apples on high?
I recommend cooking the pork on low for the best results. Slow cooking helps keep the pork tender. If you're short on time, you can cook it on high, but you'll want to check the temperature earlier since slow cookers can vary.
What should I serve with pork and apples?
There are lots of good options! Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, roasted vegetables, green beans, or rice would all work well. I especially like serving it with sweet potatoes because they go so well with the sweet apples and pork.
Can I freeze leftover pork and apples?
Yes, you can freeze the leftovers in an airtight container. Keep in mind that the apples will be softer after thawing and reheating. For the best texture, I recommend enjoying this recipe fresh when you can.
Here are more slow cooker recipes you will enjoy.
These are popular recipes on my site and recipes my family love.
- Slow Cooker Salsa Verde- This one is a family favorite. We make this a couple of times a month.
- Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
- Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
- Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings
- Butternut Squash Chili
Reminder: It would be GREAT if you could leave any feedback in the comment section and give me a 5 star rating. I love it when people rate my recipes for other readers to help when they are looking for something new to make.
Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Apples
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 2-2.5 lb pork roast
- 3 granny smith apples sliced
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4-6 Tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Lay pork roast in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Slice up apples and lay them across the top. You can also add slits and stick them down in the roast.
- Sprinkle cinnamon and brown sugar on top.
- Cook for 6 hours on low or until done.
This recipe was perfect as written! Had it with mashed potatoes and roasted carrots great easy fall meal. Will definitely make again.
What about a liquid from keeping the roast going dry? Water? How much?
You can add a cup or two of water or juice, but I do exactly as stated in the recipe.
Could you do with chops instead of pork loin? layer the chops with the apple slices?
I think so. You won't have to cook as long though because chops aren't as thick.
Could you do this on high for three hours?
Yes, I think so.
I have a frozen pork loin, do I need to thaw it first?
Yes, you can. You'll need to cook it longer though.
I was just showing my husband this recipe, today is the first day of October although it is supposed to be in the 90s this week. Fall food comes to mind. We both like sweet potatoes, but I was thinking of fried cabbage with onions.
What other sides would you suggest? We aren’t sweet potato fans. Thanks!
What about butternut squash? Kale? If neither of those, I would just do green beans and mashed potatoes. Most people like those.
@Jennifer, I don't like sweet potatoes either try acorn squash as a side. You can do it either sweet or savory. My husband likes sweet. 1tbs brown sugar 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/8 of salt 2 tbsp of maple syrup and 1 tsp or so of butter per acorn squash half. Sugar-free alternatives work great in this. This is for acorn squashes medium to large. I cook mines in the air fryer about 15 minutes per side start cut side down. Then peel off the skin once finished and mash the seasonings in with the acorn squash. Don't like maple syrup? Try caramel syrup instead. Again sugar-free alternatives work here. I have gestational diabetes so I generally do all sugar-free alternatives