How often do you make pork chops at home? If you’re like us, you may avoid making these cuts of meat because they are little bit trickier to get just right. If we cook pork chops in a pan the wrong way, a common problem is that we end up overcooking them and they feel tough to bite into. To avoid this, there are other ways to cook this cut of meat that are equally delicious.
That’s right, we’re talking about moving your pork chops off of the stovetop and into the slow cooker. By cooking your pork chops this way, you won’t need to think about them as much and they’re sure to turn out just the way you want them. As an added bonus, we’re also going to give you six different ways to prepare them to keep things from getting boring. If you’re ready, let’s begin.
1. Teriyaki Pork Chops
When in doubt, a nice teriyaki sauce is a good fit for a pork recipe. When done correctly, the taste is rich, sweet, savory and complex enough to keep guests coming back for more. As with all these recipes, start by throwing your pork chops (bone-in, please) in the bottom of your slow cooker—use about two pounds of meat, or three to four medium chops. Next, mix together 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 1/3 cup of chicken broth, two tablespoons of vinegar, four crushed cloves of garlic, one teaspoon of fresh ginger and two tablespoons of brown sugar. Pour on your chops, cook for five hours on low and enjoy! See a more detailed recipe from Cooktop Cove here.
2. Cranberry Apple Pork Chops
For a different, fruit-inspired twist on your pork chops, you could try this cranberry apple flavor which gives them quite a bit more sweetness and tang. If the above recipe is Asian-inspired, this one seems more rustic and reminiscent of an old Thanksgiving. To do this, drop your pork chops in and then add in one diced onion, two stalks of chopped celery, one cup of apple juice, one cup of fresh cranberries, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, two tablespoons of mustard (preferably grainy), two tablespoons of brown sugar and a teaspoon of cinnamon. Cook it on low for six hours before throwing in diced Granny Smith apples and cooking for another 30 minutes! Check out the more detailed recipe here.
3. Pineapple Barbecue Pork Chops
With summer upon us, you may be looking for a pork chop recipe that can be served alongside a host of other barbecued food. For that, we suggest this sweet and tangy barbecue-version of pork chops which comes complete with pineapple chunks. To pull this off, throw your pork chops in a slow cooker and add one can of crushed pineapple with the juice, one cup of honey barbecue sauce, 1/3 cup of chopped onions and two tablespoons of chili sauce. Close it up and cook it all on low for four to five hours and you’re good to go. For more instructions, head to Taste of Home for the full recipe.
4. Lemon Pork Chops
You may have had a little bit of lemon squeezed on your pork before (or on a side dish accompanying it), but this recipe takes that flavor combination to a whole new level. If you’re looking for a blast of citrus, this one is for you. To do it, throw your pork chops in a slow cooker and sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Next, throw in one finely chopped onion and one thinly sliced lemon. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of brown sugar on top of it all and top that off with 1/4 cup of ketchup. Cover it all up and let it cook for six to eight hours. For a fuller recipe, head to Taste of Home.
5. Sweet Ginger Pork Chops
Ginger is a particularly versatile and fragrant ingredient when it comes to seasoning meat—and it works for pork chops just as well as anything else. For this one, throw your pork chops in the slow cooker and combine 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1/4 cup of tomato sauce, 1/4 cup of soy sauce, four tablespoons of honey, one tablespoon of vinegar, a teaspoon of ground ginger and two cloves of crushed garlic in a bowl. Add a teaspoon each of salt and pepper and toss it over your pork. Cook it all on low for six hours and you’re all done! Visit Cooktop Cove for a fuller recipe.
6. Creamy Ranch Pork Chops
If you’re looking for a heavier and heartier flavor, a creamier pork chop may do the trick—particularly when it tastes like ranch on top of everything. Even better is that recipe is maybe the simplest of all of these! To do it, throw your pork chops in the slow cooker and add in one package of ranch dressing dry mix and one can of creamy mushroom soup. Cook on low for five to six hours. After that, mix together your cornstarch with a little water and add it to your slow cooker. Stir it in and cook on low for another three to five minutes. To see how this comes together, head over to Pillsbury for the complete recipe.
As you can see, cooking bone-in pork chops can actually result in very tender and flavorful meat dishes with almost endless variety. To add a few tips here: make sure you leave the bone in your meat for chops that heat up more evenly and retain more of their flavor. As always, feel free to adjust your ingredients up and down as well depending on how thick or thin your pork chops are. With these recipes, we’re hoping that pork chops can find a more permanent place in your kitchen. Happy cooking!
Have you tried any of these recipes out for yourself? Let us know your thoughts in the comments before.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
