Crockpot Smothered Pork Chops are a family favorite, comfort food meal that is both quick and easy to make! Tender pork chops combined with bacon, onions, and garlic smothered in a mouthwatering gravy. Perfect for any night of the week!
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With cold weather here for a while. it is the perfect time to pull out that slow cooker and let it do the work of making dinner for you! Using simple ingredients, this meal is one that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but really, it only takes about 15 minutes of prep time! Give this recipe a try and once you fall in love, be sure to add it to your meal rotation.
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Why You’ll Love these Smothered Pork Chops in Crockpot
- Juicy and Flavorful– using the slow cooker, the pork chops turn out tender and delicious each and every time! Smothered in a hearty gravy, it is a flavor explosion in every bite.
- Require Minimal Effort– this recipe calls for simple ingredients you may already have on hand. With a little bit of prep work, the slow cooker does the rest.
- Budget Friendly– look for pork chops on sale at your grocery store and you’re set! Stock up and freeze some to make this recipe again and again!
Ingredients Needed for Crockpot Smothered Pork Chops
For exact recipe ingredient amounts and step by step directions, see printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Pork Chops– I use bone-in pork chops, boneless pork chops work too though
- Salt/ Black Pepper– adds lots of flavor, can be adjusted to taste
- Bacon– cooked and crumbled, you’ll use some of the bacon fat to sear the pork chops before adding into the crockpot
- Onion– yellow onion, diced
- Garlic– fresh, minced
- Chicken Broth– homemade or from a can/box works, I use low sodium
- Worcestershire Sauce– a little goes a long way and adds so much flavor
- Bay Leaves– such a tasty flavor addition, if you don’t have on hand, feel free to omit
- Cornstarch– this helps thicken the gravy that will get spooned on top
- Cold Water– combined with the cornstarch and vinegar, this helps create the gravy
- Apple Cider Vinegar– adds a tangy, tart addition to the dish that really brings it to new levels
Variations and Substitutions
- If you don’t have an onion on hand, you can also use 1 packet onion soup mix. Use about half the packet the first time and adjust from there.
- Several people have suggested adding a can of cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup for an added boost of flavor.
- If using boneless pork chops, you will want to decrease a bit of cooking time to the recipe as they tend to not take as long.
- The pork chops are great on their own, but we love serving them over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.
How to make Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops
- Spray crock pot with cooking spray. Pat pork chops dry with paper towels; season both sides with black pepper and salt.
- Heat skillet over medium heat. Add bacon; cook and stir 6 to 8 minutes or until browned. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to slow cooker. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat. Increase heat to medium-high; add pork chops to bacon drippings in skillet. Cook 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until browned. Transfer to slow cooker and place pork chops up against sides of slow cooker, bone side down.
- Add onions to skillet. Cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes, or until softened. Add garlic; cook and stir 30 seconds. Transfer to slow cooker. Add broth, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 1 ½ to 2 hours or until pork chops are just cook through
- Remove pork chops; cover with foil to keep warm. Remove bay leaves and discard. Increase slow cooker to High heat setting.
- In small bowl, beat cornstarch, vinegar and water with whisk. Stir into liquid in slow cooker. Cover; cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Ladle sauce over pork chops; serve immediately.
FAQ’s
Why are my pork chops tough in the slow cooker?
Since pork chops are a lean cut of meat, if they are not cooked properly, they can turn out tough. This happens even when grilled, baked, etc. To prevent this, be sure to cook pork chops to a temperature of 145 degrees and not any more. The slow cooker should help prevent these from ever being tough as it is a slow cook.
What should I serve with my slow cooker pork chops?
We love serving our crock pot pork chops with some garlic mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, and garlic Parmesan pull apart bread. However, you can also serve this with rice (check out my Instant Pot rice here), some yummy pasta, or a side salad. Since the crockpot does most of the work, keep your sides simple too and enjoy being able to relax come dinnertime!!
Are pork chops better cooked fast or slow?
I love slow cooker pork chops. They turn out perfectly tender each and every time as compared to potentially becoming tough from being cooked too fast in the oven or on the grill. Use low heat on your crockpot to avoid any issues.
Storage Tips for Slow Cooker Pork Chops Recipe
- If you have leftovers, allow the pork chops to fully cool before placing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave until heated through.
- You can freeze the pork chops ahead of cooking to make a “save for later” freezer meal. Simply follow instructions but rather than place in the slow cooker, place everything in a freezer safe bag. Once ready to enjoy, thaw and place contents of bag in slow cooker and proceed with remainder of recipe.
Crockpot Smothered Pork Chops Tips
- If you want to speed up the prep time process, feel free to skip the searing step. It will decrease the flavor a bit, but will still taste great.
- Try to avoid using the thin boneless, skinless pork chops as they tend to overcook easily and become tough.
- Bone In Chops take longer to cook as compared to boneless, adjust cook time accordingly.
- Once it reaches 145 degrees internally, the chops are ready to remove and they should be fall apart slow cooker pork chops, ready to enjoy!
More Pork Chop Recipes to try
Honey Glazed Garlic Pork Chops– easy to prepare and packed with flavor! Using only 4 ingredients, you’ll love the simplicity!
Ranch Coated Pork Chops– packed with flavor and only require a few simple ingredients! Ready for the oven in less than 10 minutes, dinner is served!
Italian Breaded Pork Chops– perfectly golden brown and crispy on the outside, but moist and packed full of flavor on the inside, these Italian Breaded Pork Chops make a great meal option!
Pork Chop and Rice Casserole– an easy, one-pan meal that is home cooking at its best! Juicy pork chops sit atop a bed creamy rice.
Smothered Crock Pot Pork Chops offer a delicious and convenient way to enjoy tender and flavorful meat. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together perfectly, resulting in a mouthwatering dish that is sure to please everyone at the dinner table. Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight meal or want to impress guests with minimal effort, these easy slow cooker pork chops are sure to be a hit. So dust off your crock pot and give this recipe a try – your taste buds will thank you!
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Slow Cooker Smothered Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops *bone-in is best
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 slices bacon cut into small pieces
- 1 onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Spray slow cooker with cooking spray. Pat pork chops dry with paper towel and season both sides with pepper and salt.
- Heat skillet over medium heat. Add bacon; cook and stir until browned. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to slow cooker. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat. Increase heat to medium-high; add pork chops to bacon drippings in skillet. Cook 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until browned. Transfer to slow cooker and stand pork chops up against sides of slow cooker, bone side down.
- Add the onions to skillet. Cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes, or until softened. Add garlic and cook about 30 seconds. Transfer to slow cooker. Add broth, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 1 ½ to 2 hours or until pork chops are just cook through (145 degrees F).
- Remove pork chops; cover with foil to keep warm. Remove the bay leaves and discard. Increase slow cooker to the High heat setting. In small bowl, combine cornstarch, vinegar and water with whisk. Stir into liquid in slow cooker. Cover; cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Ladle sauce over pork chops; serve immediately.
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