Slow Cooker Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin is a mouthwatering dish where juicy pork is enveloped in crispy bacon and glazed with a sweet and tangy fig jam sauce. The slow-cooking method ensures the pork is tender and flavorful, while the bacon adds a crispy, savory layer. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a special dinner or holiday gathering.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ teaspoon dried rosemary

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 1 3-pound boneless pork loin, excess fat trimmed

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 6 slices bacon

• 1 sprig rosemary (optional for garnish)

For the Glaze:

• ¼ cup fig jam

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

• 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard

• Zest of 1 orange

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine fig jam, mustards, and orange zest. Set aside.

2. In another small bowl, mix together brown sugar, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture thoroughly on all sides of the pork loin.

3. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork loin on all sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.

4. Lay the bacon slices over the pork loin, slightly overlapping, until fully covered.

5. Place the bacon-wrapped pork loin into a 6-quart slow cooker. Spread the fig jam mixture over the top of the pork.

6. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 140°F.

7. Serve immediately, garnished with rosemary if desired.

Nutrients

• Calories: Approximately 400-450 kcal per serving

• Fat: 30-35g

  • Saturated Fat: 10-12g

• Cholesterol: 75-90mg

• Sodium: 700-900mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 10-15g

  • Sugars: 8-10g

• Protein: 30-35g

• Vitamin A: 4-6% of the daily value

• Vitamin C: 2-4% of the daily value

• Calcium: 2-4% of the daily value

• Iron: 8-10% of the daily value

The Magic of the Slow Cooker Method

One of the main advantages of cooking this pork loin in a slow cooker is the tenderness it imparts to the meat. The slow and steady heat ensures that the pork loin becomes incredibly moist and easy to carve. Unlike roasting in an oven, where the meat can dry out if overcooked, the slow cooker locks in moisture, making it perfect for a hassle-free cooking experience. The pork slowly absorbs all the flavors from the bacon, rosemary, and fig jam glaze, resulting in a deeply flavorful dish.

The slow cooker also allows for effortless cooking. Once the pork is seared, it’s simply placed in the slow cooker with the glaze, and you can let the machine do all the work. It’s ideal for busy days when you want a mouthwatering meal ready without much attention required during cooking.

Bacon’s Role in the Recipe

Bacon is an essential element of this recipe, not just for its deliciously salty flavor, but also for the texture it provides. When wrapped around the pork loin, the bacon crisps up beautifully, adding a crunchy contrast to the tender meat. The smoky flavor from the bacon infuses the pork as it cooks, creating an irresistible combination of savory and slightly sweet notes. The bacon also helps to keep the pork moist, preventing it from drying out during the slow cooking process.

For the best results, it’s recommended to use thick-cut bacon. This ensures that the bacon crisps up properly and doesn’t become too chewy. Additionally, the thicker slices are better able to maintain their shape around the pork loin, creating a uniform layer of crispy goodness.

The Fig Jam Glaze: Sweet and Tangy Perfection

The fig jam glaze is what truly sets this dish apart. It combines the sweetness of the fig jam with the subtle heat from Dijon mustard and the zestiness of whole grain mustard, creating a balanced sauce that complements the richness of the pork and bacon. The addition of orange zest brightens up the glaze, giving it a citrusy twist that perfectly enhances the savory flavors of the dish.

The fig jam also provides a nice sticky texture that adheres beautifully to the pork, helping to form a caramelized coating as the pork cooks. This glaze adds depth to the overall flavor profile, making each bite of the pork even more satisfying. If you can’t find fig jam, other fruit jams like apricot or peach can be used as substitutes, though fig jam gives the dish a distinctive richness that is hard to replicate.

Why This Recipe is Perfect for Special Occasions

Slow Cooker Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin is an excellent choice for special dinners and holiday meals. It’s a dish that looks impressive on the table without requiring too much effort from the cook. The visual appeal of the bacon-wrapped pork loin, along with the rich, golden glaze, makes it perfect for a festive spread. Furthermore, the slow cooker allows you to prepare the dish ahead of time, freeing up space in your oven for other sides or desserts.

This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people, making it a versatile option for everything from intimate family dinners to large gatherings. It also pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad. The combination of rich, savory flavors from the pork and bacon, along with the tangy sweetness of the fig jam glaze, makes for a memorable and satisfying meal.

The Simplicity of Preparation

One of the highlights of this recipe is how simple it is to prepare. The first step is seasoning the pork loin with a mixture of brown sugar, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper, which infuses the meat with delicious flavors. The pork is then seared in a hot skillet to create a beautiful brown crust, which adds a layer of flavor and ensures that the meat retains its juices while it cooks in the slow cooker.

Once the pork is seared, it is wrapped in bacon, and the fig jam glaze is spread over the top. After placing the pork into the slow cooker, you can simply cover it and let it cook for 3-4 hours. The slow cooking process ensures that the flavors meld together beautifully and that the pork becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Nutritional Considerations

While Slow Cooker Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin is undoubtedly a flavorful and indulgent dish, it’s also a great source of protein. Each serving provides around 30-35 grams of protein, which helps to support muscle repair and overall health. The pork also provides a good amount of iron, an essential mineral for oxygen transport in the blood.

However, due to the bacon and brown sugar, this dish is higher in fat, particularly saturated fat, and sodium. It’s important to enjoy this dish in moderation as part of a balanced diet. If you are looking to reduce the fat content, you can opt for turkey bacon or reduce the amount of bacon used in the recipe. Additionally, the fig jam glaze adds some sugar, but the flavor balance between the sweetness of the jam and the tang of the mustard helps to cut through the richness of the pork and bacon.

Customizing the Recipe

While this recipe is already a crowd-pleaser, it offers plenty of room for customization based on your preferences. For example, if you prefer a spicier kick, you can add a bit of chili flakes or hot sauce to the glaze. If you’re not a fan of rosemary, other herbs like thyme or sage can work well with pork. Experimenting with different types of mustard in the glaze, such as spicy brown mustard or honey mustard, can also give the dish a unique flavor twist.

Serving Suggestions

Slow Cooker Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin pairs beautifully with a wide range of sides. A light, crisp salad with a citrus dressing can help balance out the richness of the pork and bacon. Roasted vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes complement the savory flavors and add color to the plate. For a more decadent meal, mashed potatoes or a creamy risotto would be a perfect accompaniment to soak up the delicious glaze.

Additionally, a simple homemade apple sauce or cranberry relish would provide a tart contrast to the sweet fig jam glaze, enhancing the overall flavor experience.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin is a perfect example of a dish that combines ease of preparation with incredible flavor. The slow-cooked pork is tender and juicy, enveloped in crispy bacon, and coated with a sweet and tangy fig jam glaze. It’s a dish that’s ideal for a special dinner, holiday gathering, or even a weekend feast. The simplicity of the recipe, combined with the robust flavors, makes it a crowd-pleaser every time. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this dish is sure to impress and leave everyone asking for seconds. So, fire up your slow cooker and get ready to enjoy a mouthwatering, fuss-free meal that’s perfect for any occasion.