Why You’ll Love these Slow Cooker Pork Chops
When you’re juggling a busy schedule, these slow cooker pork chops are about to become your new best friend. They practically cook themselves while you’re off handling life’s demands.
I love how this recipe transforms simple pork chops into a tender, flavorful meal with minimal effort. The combination of tangy ketchup, cider vinegar, and sweet brown sugar creates a sauce that’s absolutely mouthwatering.
Aren’t meals that give you a break the best? Just layer those veggies, add the chops, pour the sauce, and walk away.
Hours later, dinner’s ready to serve over rice. No standing over a hot stove, no constant checking—just set it and forget it.
What Ingredients are in Slow Cooker Pork Chops?
What makes these slow cooker pork chops so special is that perfect blend of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors that develop during the long cooking process.
It’s the kind of comfort food that fills your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas all day long, making everyone ask, “What’s for dinner?”
The sauce creates this gorgeous glaze over the meat while the vegetables underneath absorb all those amazing flavors. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!
- 6-8 pork chops (bone-in or boneless)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 2 medium onions, sliced lengthwise
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 4-5 bell peppers, sliced lengthwise
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 1/2 cups ketchup
- 10 teaspoons cider vinegar
- 5 teaspoons lemon juice
- 5 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 5 teaspoons brown sugar
- White rice (for serving)
When shopping for this recipe, feel free to mix things up a bit with the pork chops.
Boneless work beautifully for easy eating, but bone-in chops tend to stay a bit juicier during the long cooking process.
As for the bell peppers, using a variety of colors not only makes the dish more visually appealing but also adds subtle flavor differences.
And while the recipe calls for brown sugar, dark brown will give you a slightly deeper molasses flavor if you happen to have that in your pantry instead of light brown.
How to Make these Slow Cooker Pork Chops
Making this recipe is honestly one of the easiest ways to get a delicious dinner on the table with minimal effort.
You’ll start by placing all those colorful vegetables—2 medium onions (sliced lengthwise), 2 chopped celery ribs, and 4-5 bell peppers (sliced lengthwise)—right into the bottom of your crockpot. This creates a flavorful bed for your 6-8 pork chops to rest on during the long, slow cooking process. No need to brown the pork chops beforehand, which is what makes this truly a dump-and-go recipe that busy folks like us can appreciate.
Once your veggies and pork chops are nestled in the slow cooker, it’s time to create that magical sauce. In a bowl, blend together 1½ cups water, 2½ cups ketchup, 10 teaspoons cider vinegar, 5 teaspoons lemon juice, 5 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, and 5 teaspoons brown sugar.
Don’t forget to season your pork with the ½ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon pepper before pouring this tangy-sweet mixture over everything. The sauce might seem like a lot, but trust me, it cooks down into something absolutely spectacular.
Now just put the lid on and let your slow cooker do its thing—cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 2½-3 hours until those chops are tender enough to cut with just your fork. Using a premium crockpot will ensure even heat distribution for perfectly tender pork chops every time.
When it’s time to serve, spoon everything over fluffy white rice, which soaks up all that incredible sauce. For preparing the vegetables, consider using a quality cheese grater mandoline to slice your onions and peppers uniformly for even cooking. Divine simplicity at its finest, wouldn’t you agree?
Slow Cooker Pork Chops Substitutions and Variations
This classic pork chop recipe offers plenty of room for creative tweaking to suit your taste preferences or pantry limitations.
Don’t have bell peppers? Try diced carrots or zucchini instead. The ketchup base can be swapped with tomato sauce and a tablespoon of honey for a less sweet profile. Maple syrup works beautifully in place of brown sugar, giving a subtle woodsy note to the sauce.
For those avoiding pork, chicken thighs make an excellent substitute, though they may cook faster. And while white rice is traditional, I love serving these over cauliflower rice or mashed potatoes. The vegetables absorb all those delicious flavors, don’t they?
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Pork Chops
While these savory pork chops shine as the star of your meal, choosing the right side dishes can elevate your dinner from simple to spectacular.
Rice is the classic pairing, soaking up all that delicious sauce, just as the recipe suggests.
I’m also a fan of creamy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles as alternatives.
For veggies, a crisp green salad provides invigorating contrast to the rich pork, or try roasted brussels sprouts for something heartier.
Want to round things out? A basket of warm crusty bread is perfect for catching every last drop of sauce.
Trust me, you won’t want to waste a bit.
Final Thoughts
After exploring all those perfect sides, let’s wrap up our slow cooker pork chop journey. The beauty of this Pork Chop Pierre recipe lies in its simplicity and flavor.
The combination of sweet and tangy sauce ingredients transforms ordinary chops into something special, don’t you think?
I love how this dish basically cooks itself while we’re busy with other things. The vegetables create a flavorful base, and serving it over white rice makes for a complete meal. For a heartier alternative, you could pair these pork chops with a classic meatloaf that combines ground beef with savory vegetables and spices.
For a quick breakfast option the next morning, try making avocado toast with just three ingredients: ripe avocado, bread, and black pepper.
