Slow cooker pork chops and apples is an excellent combination of fantastic flavor and quick cooking time, making it an ideal family favorite. This is a recipe you’ll want to add to your recipe book!
Why this recipe works
When you’re pressed for time, this is the crockpot meal. With minimal ingredients, the prep time and short and sweet. The total time it takes to cook is quick, making this the ideal meal to start earlier in the day to have it fresh and ready by dinner time.
These crockpot pork chops are also ideal for those on specific eating plans such as Paleo, Clean Eating, or Gluten-Free. So if you’re looking to keep it healthy, there are no worries with this meal.
Recipe Ingredients
- Pork Chops – The best kind of chops to use for this meal are center cut, boneless pork chops. They aren’t too thick and will cook to a tender finish.
- Apples – We like granny smith tart apples and the tanginess they provide a dish.
- Brown Sugar – Adds a touch of sweetness to the dish. If you have a special diet, you can use a sugar substitue or leave it out.
- Seasonings – Salt, pepper, cinnamon, and dried thyme add the finishing touches of flavor these crockpot pork chops need.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Place pork chops in the bottom of the slow cooker and add the apple slices on top.
Step Two – Combine the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, black pepper, salt, and thyme in a small bowl.
Step Three – Sprinkle the seasoning mixture on top of the apples.
Step Four – Cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours and serve the juicy pork chops alongside some suggestions below.
What to serve with this
- Mashed Potatoes: Although this can be served by itself, with a few extra apples on top, you can’t go wrong by putting it on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes.
- Green Vegetable side: Another way to serve these chops is with a side of broccoli, green beans, or another green vegetable. This will add a variety of color and nutrients to the meal.
- Sweet Potatoes: A side of sweet potatoes would offer another potato option that’s both colorful and flavorful.
- Sliced Onions: If you’re looking for something fresh, offer sliced tomato and onion on the side as well.
Variations
- Use different apple types. The first variation involves adding a couple of apple types. In addition to granny smith apples, you could also add Fuji apple slices. You’ll still get a wonderful apple taste.
- Add honey. For a sweet variation, consider adding honey. A fourth to a half cup is the perfect amount to accompany the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Add sliced onions. If you’d like to add another ingredient, sliced sweet onion would be a perfect choice. You could slice them in small rings or in quarters. Add them to the crockpot with everything else and that’s it.
Recipes FAQs
Place the remaining meal in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days, or in the freezer for three months. To reheat, add to a large skillet (or one that fits the amount of leftovers) and warm on medium heat until warmed throughout.
You can use any apple kind of your choice, and peeling is optional. Keep in mind that different apples will yield different tastes and textures. Granny smith are often the firmest and most tart.
Absolutely! The cooking time even remains the same.
Some recipes suggest browning them before cooking to seal in the juices and add caramelized flavor. I think you still get great results without browning and makes for easier cleanup.
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Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Apples
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless center cut pork chops (can use up to 8 pork chops if you need to serve more people)
- 4 granny Smith apples
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. dried leaf thyme
Instructions:
- Place pork chops in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Cut apples into 8 large slices and place on top of pork chops.
- Combine brown sugar and seasonings then sprinkle mixture over apples.
- Cook on low 5-6 hours.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Going to be making this soon what can I do for liquid since nothing is listed in the recipe??? Or do I even need liquid?
The butter is the liquid, and the pork chops and onions will make more sauce.
Butter is not listed as ingredient?
I apologize, I thought you commented on my pork loin recipe. This recipe does make it’s own liquid, as you can see in the photos.
This was delicious! I sliced an onion and added that too, and I used a splash of maple syrup because I was out of brown sugar. I’ll be making this often, thanks!
Can you cook on HIGH for shorter amount of time?
Yes, it should do fine for 3.5 hours on high.
What do you serve on the side?
Rice pilaf or mashed potatoes.
Curious-What time and oven temp would work for this recipe?
Hard to say without testing it. I apologize for not having that info.
Really tasty and incredibly easy dish
If I use 8 pork chops, do I need to double the other ingredients?
No, you should still have plenty of apples and other ingredients without doubling.
the pic shows it very juicy yet no liquid added – does it really make that much and would it be good as a gravy?
Thanks!
The pork chops and apples will let out a lot of juices! No need to add any liquid.
THANK YOU! have you ever made a gravy out if it – cornstarch?