I wanted a cozy, fall themed slow cooker recipe to kick off Thanksgiving week. Something that is warm, simple, and seasonal. So I tested the Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Pork Loin from Tastes Better From Scratch to see if it was actually as magical as the photos look.
Spoiler: it wasn’t bad, but it’s not joining the family favorites list either.
Let’s break it down.
Why I Picked This Recipe
- It’s full of fall vibes: apples, honey, cinnamon, cozy slow cooker promise.
- I love a “set it and forget it” meal, especially on a Sunday when everyone is running feral.
- The original recipe plate looked fancy enough to feel festive but simple enough to not overwhelm me.
What Actually Happened in My Kitchen
Prep & Cook Time
The actual slow cooker part? Super straightforward.
The entire rest of the meal? Not so much.
The recipe recommends serving it with sweet potatoes and homemade cranberry sauce, which sounds amazing on paper but meant I needed to remember to make those things before the pork finished.
If you’re like me, a slow cooker means: “I want dinner to be ready without me having to operate heavy machinery in the final hour.” This one required more attention than I expected.
The Flavor Situation
Here’s the honest truth:
- The honey and cinnamon didn’t come through much at all.
- The apples? They felt a bit forced. Like they wanted to be part of the team but didn’t quite make the roster.
- The pork itself was fine. That’s really all there is to say about it.
Family Verdict
- Me: Loved the cranberry sauce. The sweet potatoes were great. The pork was just okay.
- Paul: Big fan of the sweet potatoes.
- Ben: Took a few bites, looked at me, and said, “Pepperoni?”
And honestly, I get it.
Reality Check Summary
What Worked
- Easy slow cooker base
- Cozy Thanksgiving week vibes
- House smelled amazing
- Cranberry sauce + sweet potatoes = the real winners here
What Didn’t Work
- Not enough flavor payoff from the cinnamon/honey
- Apples didn’t add much
- Too many extra components for my idea of a slow cooker meal
- Not toddler approved
My Final Verdict
Would I make it again? Nope.
Would I serve the sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce again? Absolutely.
Would Ben still ask for pepperoni despite my best efforts? Always.
This one was a fun fall experiment, but it won’t be going on our repeat list. It fits the Thanksgiving vibe, but for our family, it’s a “make once, move on” situation.
My Tips if You Still Want to Try It
(Just because it wasn’t our thing doesn’t mean it won’t be yours!)
- Start the sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce earlier than the recipe recommends.
- Add more seasoning like more salt, pepper, or maybe herbs if you want stronger flavor.
- Use apples that hold their shape or skip them entirely.
- If you’re team “minimal effort,” serve it with bagged salad or rolls and call it a day.
You can find the original recipe here!
