Say goodbye to dry and tough pork chops: these fall apart slow cooker pork chops are the ultimate fall-apart tender comfort food. With just 3 main ingredients, this easy dinner will be your new go-to dump dinner for busy weeknights!
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Why You’ll Love Smothered Crock Pot Pork Chops:
A while back, I did a series featuring dump-and-go recipes called Dump It ‘Til It’s Hot. It was all about delicious food with minimal prep, no pre-cooking, the ability to freeze for a great make-ahead meal. And this recipe checks allllll those boxes!
This 3 ingredient crock pot pork chops recipe is one I’ve been making for a while. You throw a few ingredients into the crock pot (or instant pot!) and let it do the rest of the work for you. And the results are fall-apart-tender pork chops with a stick-to-your bones gravy that the whole family will go nuts for- just like mine does! Here’s what I love about this cozy dinner:
- There are really only 3 main ingredients
- It’s SO easy to make
- Dump-and-go recipe
- Perfect to make ahead and freeze
- It cooks all day in the slow cooker
- Meat so tender, it falls apart
Ingredient information and substitutions
- Pork Chops- I typically use boneless pork chops for this, but bone-in pork chops work really well too.
- Onion Soup Mix- I use a Lipton Onion Soup packet for this recipe- it’s packed with savory and delicious flavor.
- Low-Sodium Broth- I typically use beef broth for added richness of flavor, but I’ve made this many times with low-sodium chicken broth as well and it’s been just as delicious. The big thing is make sure you use a low sodium broth, because the onion soup mix is pretty salty to begin with, so the low sodium-broth balances it all out. If you accidentally buy full sodium broth, just add ½-¾ cup of water to the broth before adding it to your crock pot.
- Optional add-in- While this is not a requirement, I love to thicken the broth with a slurry of equal parts cornstarch and water to make a gravy. I will typically strain the juices first, but you don’t have to.
How To Make Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops
Step 1- Place the pork chops into the pot.
Place all pork chops into the bottom of the pot. Note: In this photo, I had halved pork chops in this recipe- there would normally be 4 chops.
Step 2- Sprinkle with onion soup mix.
Sprinkle the packet of onion soup mix evenly over all the pork chops.
Step 3- Pour broth into the pot.
Pour the broth evenly over the pork chops.
Step 4- Cover and cook.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 8 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
The key is to cook them low and slow. The combination of the low heat and long cooking time helps the meat break down and get super tender. If you pull them too early, they will be tough.
This recipe needs the liquid to help keep the pork chops tender.
Yes you can! While I wouldn’t recommend putting a larger cut of meat into the slow cooker frozen solid, individual-size pork chops in a crock pot work great! You do not need to change anything about the recipe.
Nope! There’s no need, just throw the ingredients into the pot and let the slow cooker do the rest!
No- the onion soup mix has plenty of seasoning, so adding additional salt and pepper will make it too salty.
This recipe will work for 8 hours on low or 6 hours on high. Both results are delicious but I find the low to be slightly more tender.
You definitely can! Follow the same directions and then cook on manual high pressure for 20 minutes. Do a 15 minute natural pressure release and then serve.
Helpful Cooking Tips:
- Be sure to use low sodium broth- the onion soup seasoning has a good amount of sodium and I’ve found that using the full sodium broth makes it a bit too salty.
- You don’t even have to stir the ingredients when you place them in the pot- just place the pork chops in, sprinkle with onion soup seasoning and pour the broth over the top of it all and cover the pot!
- How to make gravy from pork chops- This is optional but delicious. Just before serving, strain the juices and thicken over medium heat with a slurry of equal parts water and cornstarch (start with a tablespoon or two of both and start small).This will make a delicious gravy!
- What to serve with crock pot pork chops and gravy- I love it with mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli.
- Leftovers and Storage- Leftovers last for up to 4 days covered in the refrigerator. They reheat beautifully in the microwave in individual servings.
Other Delicious Pork Chop Recipes To Try
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!
Fall Apart Slow Cooker Pork Chops
Equipment
- slow. cooker
Ingredients
- 4 regular-thick cut Boneless pork chops (not thin- bone-in also works)
- 2 cups low sodium chicken or beef broth
- 1 packet onion soup seasoning (I used Lipton brand)
- 2-3 Tablespoons cornstarch optional
- 2-3 Tablespoons water optional
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Place pork chops, broth and onion soup seasoning into slow cooker pot (or a zipper bag and freeze).
- Cover and cook for around 8 hours on low.
- Optional: Just before serving, strain juices and heat over medium in a small pan. Whisk equal parts corn starch and water together to form a slurry and slowly mix into the juices to thicken into a gravy. Serve immediately.
Instant Pot Instructions
- Place pork chops, broth and onion soup seasoning into slow cooker pot (or a zipper bag and freeze).
- Cover with the gasket set to sealing. Set the instant pot to high pressure for 20 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is up, do a 15 minute natural release and then remove the cover.
- Turn off the instant pot and turn it to the saute setting.
- Optional: Whisk together the corn starch and water and pour into the pot. Stir to combine and simmer for a couple minutes until thickened. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Be sure to use low sodium broth- the onion soup seasoning has a good amount of sodium and I’ve found that using the full sodium broth makes it a bit too salty.
- You don’t even have to stir the ingredients when you place them in the pot- just place the pork chops in, sprinkle with onion soup seasoning and pour the broth over the top of it all and cover the pot!
- How to make gravy from pork chops- This is optional but delicious. Just before serving, strain the juices and thicken over medium heat with a slurry of equal parts water and cornstarch (start with a tablespoon or two of both and start small).This will make a delicious gravy!
- What to serve with crock pot pork chops and gravy- I love it with mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli.
- Leftovers and Storage- Leftovers last for up to 4 days covered in the refrigerator. They reheat beautifully in the microwave in individual servings.
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