Juicy Slow Cooker Pork Chops
Slow cooker pork chops simmered until tender in a rich, savory sauce. An easy, comforting dinner that delivers with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- Bone-in pork chops (4 chops, about 1-inch thick)
- Yellow onion (1 large, thinly sliced)
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
- Chicken broth (1 cup; low-sodium preferred)
- Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon)
- Soy sauce (1 teaspoon; low-sodium if desired)
- Dijon mustard (1 tablespoon)
- Brown sugar or maple syrup (1 tablespoon)
- Paprika (1 teaspoon; smoked or sweet)
- Dried thyme (1 teaspoon)
- Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
- Kosher salt (to taste; start with 1 teaspoon)
- Cornstarch (1 tablespoon, optional for thickening)
- Olive oil or butter (1–2 tablespoons for searing)
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the chops: Pat pork chops dry. Season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and dried thyme.
- Sear for flavor: Heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high. Sear pork chops 1–2 minutes per side until golden. Don’t cook through—just color. Transfer to a plate.
- Layer the base: Add the sliced onions to the slow cooker. Sprinkle in the garlic.
- Mix the sauce: In a bowl, whisk chicken broth, Worcestershire, soy sauce, Dijon, and brown sugar or maple. Pour over onions.
- Load the cooker: Nestle pork chops on top of the onions. Spoon some liquid over the chops.
- Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or on HIGH for 2.5–3 hours, until tender but not falling apart.
- Optional gravy: Remove chops to rest. Stir 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water. Whisk into the sauce, cover, and cook on HIGH for 10–15 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Finish and serve: Taste and adjust salt as needed. Return chops to warm through. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.
