Slow-Cooker Pork Chops & Potatoes

If you are a meat and potatoes kind of person, then you are in the right place with this slow-cooker pork chop and potato recipe recipe. It is a largely hands-off cooking experience that will yield a dish filled with flavor thanks to a multi-hour cooking process.

Slow-cooker pork loin chops and potatoes are a great Sunday afternoon dinner that the whole family will enjoy, but if you plan ahead, these can even be a weeknight meal, one that takes just a bit of prep in the morning and can be served quickly when there is a little time to spare in the evening.

Slow-Cooker Pork Chops and Potatoes Ingredients

• Potatoes: The recipe calls for four medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced. Yukon gold potatoes are perfect for this dish, but half the number of larger Russet potatoes work as well.
• Pork loin chops: You will need six bone-in pork loin chops, each weighing approximately 7 ounces. Trim off any excess fat and gristle.
• Canola oil: If you don’t have canola oil, any neutral oil works just fine. Basic vegetable oil, avocado oil or a different option is acceptable.
• Onions: Use two large onions, sliced and then separated into their rings.
• Butter: Just 2 teaspoons of butter is all it takes in this recipe. Of course, if you accidentally use a bit more, that’s fine too.
• All-purpose flour: The all-purpose flour helps to form a delightful sauce you will use to cover the the dish, adding lots of flavor.
• Chicken broth: We recommend reduced-sodium chicken broth for this recipe. It’s always good to avoid sodium when it won’t impact the flavor, as you’ll be adding some salt anyway.
• Milk: If you don’t have fat-free milk, 2% milk is fine, but whole milk might be a bit too thick.

Directions

Step 1: Place potatoes in slow cooker and brown the pork

Place the potatoes in a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker coated with cooking spray. Then, in a large nonstick skillet, brown the pork chops in oil in batches.

Step 2: Place the chops atop the potatoes, then sauté the onions and prep the sauce

Place the chops over potatoes in the slow cooker, then sauté the onions in the meat drippings. Once the onions are tender, place them over the chops. Next, melt the butter in a skillet. Combine the flour, salt, pepper, and broth, mixing until the blend is smooth, then stir it into pan. Add the milk and bring the blend to a boil, then cook and stir for two minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.

Step 3: Add the sauce to the slow cooker and commence the slow cooking

Pour the sauce over the onions, then cover the slow cooker and cook the dish on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until the pork is tender. Skim the fat and thicken the cooking juices if desired, then serve and enjoy.

Slow-Cooker Pork Chops and Potatoes Variations

• Try beef broth: Beef broth adds a more robust and savory flavor to the finished dish, and it is a good substitute for chicken broth.
• Use shallots: You won’t have to sauté the shallots for quite as long as the tougher onion, so be careful with that, but you will love the slightly gentler and more nuanced flavor they add to the dish.
• Try it with chicken: The same recipe can be used with chicken breast, just be sure to check the internal temperature of the meat several times during the cooking process, making sure it reaches 160°F.

How to Store Slow-Cooker Pork Chop and Potatoes

You should eat cooked pork chops within two hours or refrigerate the dish in an airtight container, eating it within three to four days.

Can you freeze slow-cooker pork chops and potatoes?

While the potatoes will not take to freezing well, you can store the cooked chops in airtight packaging in the freezer for up to three months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight.

Slow-Cooker Pork Chops and Potatoes Tips

Can you use other types of pork chops in the slow cooker?

Boneless pork chops absolutely work in this recipe, but we prefer bone-in when making slow-cooker pork chops and potatoes. Bone-in pork chops add more flavor to the dish, as the bone releases juices and collagen during the slow-cooking process, resulting in a richer, more savory sauce. As a bonus, the bone also acts as an insulator, slowing down the heat transfer to the center of the pork chop, so the meat stays juicier and more tender as it cooks.

How do you keep slow-cooker pork chops moist and tender?

Using bone-in pork chops is the best way to keep slow-cooker pork chops moist and tender. The bone helps retain moisture and keeps the meat tender, so bone-in chops are less likely to become dry or overcooked in the slow cooker. We also recommend layering the ingredients properly, so each pork chop is in contact with the liquid, helping the meat soak up the flavorful juice. Finally, avoid overcooking the pork, removing the meat from the slow cooker when it reaches the right internal temperature for pork chops, anywhere between 145° and 160°.

What do you serve with slow-cooker pork chops and potatoes?

This slow cooker recipe is pretty close to a complete meal, so don’t feel any pressure to serve it with side dishes if you don’t want to. A simple vegetable side dish like steamed vegetables, salad or coleslaw will round out the pork chop recipe nicely, but you also can’t go wrong with homemade rolls or garlic bread.