how to cook pork chops in a slow cooker
Here’s a clear, reliable way to cook juicy pork chops in a slow cooker, plus some variations and tips.
Quick Scoop
To cook pork chops in a slow cooker, season and (ideally) brown them first, place them in the slow cooker with a simple sauce or gravy, and cook on low until they’re tender and reach at least 145°F internally (usually 4–6 hours on low, depending on thickness and cut).
Basic Slow Cooker Pork Chops (With Gravy)
Ingredients (4 servings)
- 4 pork chops (bone-in or boneless, about 1 inch thick)
- 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder or minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon paprika or Italian seasoning (optional)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken or mushroom soup
- 1–1.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 packet onion soup mix or pork gravy mix (optional but very flavorful)
- 1–2 tablespoons cornstarch + 1–2 tablespoons cold water (for thickening gravy, optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter per chop (optional, for richness)
Step-by-step Instructions
1. Season (and optional sear)
- Pat pork chops dry with paper towels.
- Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika/Italian seasoning.
- Optional but recommended:
- Heat a bit of oil in a skillet over medium-high.
- Sear chops 2–3 minutes per side until nicely browned; this adds flavor but doesn’t cook them through.
2. Make the sauce / gravy base
You can keep it simple or make it richer:
- Simple gravy-style base:
- Whisk together cream of chicken (or mushroom) soup, chicken broth, and a packet of onion soup mix or pork gravy mix until mostly smooth.
- Pan gravy variation:
- After searing the pork, pour broth and soup into the same pan, whisking to scrape up browned bits, then transfer this mixture to the slow cooker.
Pour this sauce into the bottom of a 4–6 quart slow cooker.
3. Load the slow cooker
- If using, place sliced onions and/or mushrooms at the bottom (optional but great for flavor).
- Lay pork chops on top of the sauce/veggies in a single layer as much as possible.
- Dot each chop with a small piece of butter if desired.
- Spoon some of the sauce over the top so they’re mostly coated.
4. Cook time and temperature
- Cook on LOW for about:
- 4–6 hours for bone-in chops.
* 3–4 hours for boneless chops (they often cook faster).
- Alternatively, on HIGH for about 2–3 hours, but low-and-slow tends to give more tender results.
The most important part:
- The internal temperature should reach at least 145°F in the thickest part of the chop, checked with an instant-read thermometer.
- Once they hit 145°F and feel tender, stop cooking; overcooking is what makes them dry and tough.
5. Thicken the gravy (optional but tasty)
About 20–30 minutes before serving:
- Stir together cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
- Gently move the chops aside, whisk the slurry into the hot liquid in the slow cooker.
- Turn the cooker to HIGH and cook 20–30 minutes until the gravy thickens, then spoon it over the chops to serve.
Variations You Can Try
You can change the flavor without changing the basic method: season → sauce → slow cook → thicken.
- Onion-soup style : Pork chops + onion soup mix + broth; cook on low 6–8 hours, then optionally thicken juices into a gravy.
- Creamy ranch : Make a creamy ranch sauce (homemade or using ranch seasoning) with broth/cream and cook chops low and slow for ultra-tender results.
- Herb & white wine: Sear seasoned chops, then slow-cook in a white wine and Dijon mustard sauce for a more elegant, restaurant-style flavor.
- Paprika-garlic broth : Simmer chops in a seasoned broth with garlic, paprika, and oregano; cook on high for around 1¾ hours until just slightly pink in the center and 145°F inside.
These all follow the same structure: seasoned chops, a flavorful liquid, low/slow cooking, check temp, and optionally thicken the sauce.
Tips for Best Results
- Choose the right cut: Slightly thicker bone-in chops tend to stay juicier and hold together better with long, slow cooking.
- Don’t overcook: Slow cookers vary, so start checking for doneness a bit early (around 3–4 hours on low) the first time you make the recipe.
- Layering: Put onions/mushrooms on the bottom, chops on top, sauce over everything to prevent sticking and keep moisture around the meat.
- Serving ideas: Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles and pour the gravy over the top; add a simple vegetable or salad to round out the meal.
Simple HTML Table (Cooking Overview)
Since you asked for tables as HTML, here’s a compact overview:
html
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Step</th>
<th>What to Do</th>
<th>Key Details</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Season (and sear) chops</td>
<td>Salt, pepper, garlic, optional sear 2–3 min per side</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Make sauce</td>
<td>Cream soup + broth + onion/gravy mix whisked together</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Load slow cooker</td>
<td>Veggies and sauce on bottom, chops on top, spoon sauce over</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Cook on LOW</td>
<td>About 4–6 hours, to at least 145°F internal temp</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Thicken gravy (optional)</td>
<td>Cornstarch + water slurry, 20–30 minutes on HIGH</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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- Meta description: Learn how to cook pork chops in a slow cooker so they turn out tender, juicy, and full of flavor, with easy gravy and several flavor variations you can try tonight.
TL;DR: Season pork chops, optionally sear them, place in a slow cooker with a simple broth-and-soup gravy, cook on low until they reach 145°F and are tender, then (optionally) thicken the cooking liquid into gravy before serving.
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