Pork Chops for the Slow Cooker Recipe

Pork Chops for the Slow Cooker Recipe

Cook Time: 360 minutes

Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Ingredients
  • 6 boneless pork chops
  • cup soy sauce
  • cup ketchup
  • cup brown sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Directions

Step 1: Gather all the necessary ingredients for the recipe.

Step 2: Place the pork chops in the slow cooker, arranging them in a single layer.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, crushed garlic, and ground ginger. Stir well to create the sauce mixture.

Step 4: Pour the sauce evenly over the pork chops in the slow cooker, ensuring they are well-coated.

Step 5: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on the "Low" setting for 6 hours. The pork chops should become tender and fully cooked by the end of the cooking time.

Step 6: After cooking, serve the pork chops with the flavorful sauce from the slow cooker. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Calories 146
Fat 4g
Saturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 36mg
Sodium 1337mg
Carbohydrates 11g
Dietary Fiber 0g
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 16g
Vitamin C 2mg
Calcium 24mg
Iron 1mg
Potassium 308mg

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Pork Chops for the Slow Cooker Recipe

History of Pork Chops for the Slow Cooker

The dish "Pork Chops for the Slow Cooker" has its roots in American home cooking, where the slow cooker has long been a staple appliance for preparing simple, yet flavorful meals. The slow cooker, or crockpot, became widely popular in the 1970s, revolutionizing how home cooks approached meal prep. The concept of slow-cooking meats, particularly tougher cuts like pork chops, made them tender and full of flavor without much effort. Over time, recipes like this one emerged, combining ingredients like soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic to create a savory-sweet sauce that enhances the natural taste of the pork.

Regional Variations

Pork chops are a versatile dish found in various forms across different regions of the United States. In the South, for example, pork chops are often paired with hearty sides like mashed potatoes and collard greens. In other regions, such as the Midwest, they're frequently served alongside casseroles or roasted vegetables. This slow-cooked variation, however, finds its roots in the simple, no-fuss cooking of the mid-20th century, when convenience was key. The sauce, with its soy sauce base, hints at the influence of Asian-inspired flavors, popular in American fusion cuisine.

How This Recipe Differs from Similar Dishes

Unlike other classic pork chop recipes, such as the breaded and fried versions, the slow cooker method offers a healthier alternative by retaining moisture and flavor without the need for heavy frying. The combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger gives this dish a unique savory-sweet profile, which is distinct from other pork chop dishes that might rely on heavier seasonings or coatings. The slow-cooked nature also makes it more forgiving, ensuring tender, juicy pork chops that are nearly impossible to overcook.

Where is this Dish Typically Served?

This dish is often served as a comforting weeknight meal. It's a perfect choice for busy families or anyone looking for an easy, hearty dinner. Pork Chops for the Slow Cooker is usually accompanied by simple sides like rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables, making it a well-rounded meal. Because its made in the slow cooker, it is also an excellent option for potlucks or dinner parties where you need a dish that can be prepared ahead of time and served with minimal effort.

Interesting Facts

  • The slow cooker was invented in the 1970s by Irving Naxon and quickly became a favorite appliance in American kitchens due to its ability to cook meals with minimal attention.
  • Adding bone-in pork chops to the slow cooker can elevate the dish, as the bones release rich flavors that infuse the meat, creating a deeper, more complex taste.
  • In many variations of this recipe, honey or brown sugar is used to balance the saltiness of the soy sauce, a perfect example of the sweet-savory flavor combination that is central to many dishes in both Asian and American cuisines.
  • The use of soy sauce in this recipe reflects the growing influence of Asian-inspired flavors in American home cooking, especially in dishes that blend elements from various culinary traditions.

Enjoy this easy, delicious recipe that's perfect for any occasion!

FAQ about Pork Chops for the Slow Cooker Recipe

Leftover pork chops can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to store the sauce separately if you want it to last longer.

Yes, you can freeze the cooked pork chops. Place them in an airtight container or a freezer bag and store for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a slow cooker or on the stove.

To prevent the pork chops from drying out, try reducing the cooking time, especially if using thinner cuts. For boneless pork chops, 3-4 hours on low is often enough. You can also add a little more sauce or a splash of water to help keep the meat moist.

Yes, you can use bone-in pork chops. They tend to be juicier and more flavorful, but you may need to increase the cooking time by an hour or so. Bone-in chops will also impart a richer flavor to the sauce.

Absolutely! Using low-sodium soy sauce is a great option to reduce the salt content, especially if you're watching your sodium intake. You might need to adjust the other seasonings to taste.

Yes, you can thicken the sauce by adding cornstarch mixed with a little water during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Stir the mixture into the sauce and let it cook until it thickens.

These pork chops pair well with a variety of sides, such as rice (white, jasmine, or brown), mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or steamed broccoli. The sauce also works great drizzled over the sides!

Yes, you can substitute brown sugar with honey, maple syrup, or a sugar substitute if you prefer. Just adjust the quantity to taste, as some alternatives may be sweeter than brown sugar.

To reheat the pork chops, you can either use the microwave, stovetop, or slow cooker. If using the microwave, cover the pork chops with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. On the stovetop, reheat them in a pan with a little extra sauce. If using a slow cooker, set it to low for 1-2 hours, adding some additional sauce to keep them moist.

If you're cooking fewer pork chops, you can adjust the ingredients accordingly. For example, for 3 pork chops, halve the sauce ingredients. Be mindful of the cooking time as well, and check the chops for doneness a bit earlier.

Comments

DomesticEngineer2

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

These were the best pork chops that I have ever had that were not fried. My family and I love fried pork chops but they are not all that healthy for you so I chose to fix them a different way and found this recipe. I used pork with the bone and cut the bone out. I then put monteral steak seasoning on them and browned them to keep them from drying out. I then followed the recipe with adding garlic and honey. We had it over rice. The sauce was so good that next time I am going to double the sauce ingredients so there is plenty to go around. The meat was falling apart and smelled so good. Thank you for sharing the recipe and thank you cooks for the ideas.

Allrecipes Member

09/27/2004 08:09:39 PM

I started with frozen solid boneless pork chops and started cooking for 4 hours on low. I used 1/3 c soy sauce and a generous squirt of honey, based on others' comments. They looked done after 4 hours on low, and I ate one after coming home from work. The chops were dry, the sauce was thin, but the chops were good with the sauce on them. For my husband, who would be home 1-3 hours later, I added corn starch as others suggested and turned the crock pot to warm. Two hours later, I turned the crock pot off. When my husband came home, soon after I turned the crock pot off, the pork chops were tender and not dry, the sauce was thickened and he raved about them. Add enough corn starch and it's almost a barbeque type sauce or like the thick sauce Chinese restaurants sometimes serve.

Michael Saunders

12/31/2023 09:24:35 PM

This recipe will taste even better if you will use pork chops with the bone, as the bone/marrow adds an umami savoriness that is missing without the bones.

Heather K

05/26/2023 09:13:23 AM

I only wanted to cook 3 pork chops, so in essence I doubled the sauce (yum). I halved the soya sauce as others recommended and added some chili flakes and honey. No extra salt needed. I mixed in some cornstarch in water for the last hour to thicken the sauce. It turned out really great and the extra sauce was good with rice. I cooked for 1.5 fewer hours total.

rapierce4

05/16/2023 07:09:23 PM

Closest sauce I've seen that is approximate to Hawaiian style teriyaki, just cut down the shoyu to 1/4 cup, the same amounts as the ketchup and sugar. And don't tell me I don't know what I'm talking about .... Kathleen, I grew up in Hawaii and have been cooking for over 30 yrs. The other problem I have with this recipe is the use of a nice pork loin .... it dries out way too easily since there is very little fat in the grain of the meat. I reserve my loin for roasts or chops. IMHO this would be a great 5 star recipe if it used less shoyu (that's soy sauce for you mainlanders) and use a pork shoulder .... aka Boston Butt, it won't dry out and it'll be great, sliced or shredded.

recipehound

01/23/2024 12:44:32 AM

I made the sauce as written with the exception of adding a dab of honey. It was delicious! The sauce was thick enough to spoon over the pork chops for serving, but if you like it more like a gravy, then you might want to thicken it. I used 2 bone-in pork chops that were about 1 inch thick and cooked in my slow cooker for about 2 1/4 hours on high.

Nelly ask

05/26/2023 06:28:13 PM

My pork was very “fall off the bone” but was very dry. I think next time I’ll cut the cooking time back an hour or 2. But it tasted amazing. I had low sodium soy sauce.

Stacy Martin Alexander

03/24/2020 12:25:14 PM

I made this per the recipe, maybe a bit less soy sauce. I doubled the sauce to serve over jasmine rice. Cut cooking time back an hour or 2 to prevent the meat from drying out.

Carolyn

02/26/2020 03:17:24 PM

This is simple and delicious. Don't cook for the full time as they will over cook and dry out. I cooked mine 3 hours on low and was still well over 145 degrees, but they were moist and tasty. I also decreased the soy sauce to 1/4 cup. I will be making these again.

OGrateMe

11/19/2018 06:51:57 PM

I made very few changes from the original recipe. I increased ketchup to 1/2 cup. I didn't have fresh garlic so substituted garlic powder. Pork chops were boneless and thick so used only 4 rather than 6. Recommend cooking for 8 hours if using boneless. I served over stir fry rice. Leftovers were just as good. I cut up the pork chops into bite size pieces, covered with the sauce and heated in oven at 325 for half hour. My husband and I agreed they were even better as leftovers because the meat soaked up more of the flavor from the juice. A winner at our house!

Darlene M Wermers

02/06/2025 11:44:05 PM

I added honey and red pepper flakes, as some users suggested. Great flavor overall; however, I would reduce the time to 4 hours on low; I did 6 hours on low, and the pork chops were a bit dry.

WitchyMama418

08/30/2025 07:55:21 PM

Delicious!! If you like General Tsos Chinese chicken you'll love this. Except with tender pork. Tastes about the same. I did add a bit more brown sugar and ketchup. Soy sauce is very salty and the ginger. Poured the sauce over rice and cut up the pork in a bowl. So good!!!

Dee

08/21/2025 12:34:08 AM

I made this tonight. I used 4 thick boneless pork chops. I doubled every measurement except the soy sauce and cooked for 3 1/2 hours. Turned out so good I don't think I've ever seen my family eat so fast. I put white rice and brussel sprouts with it. I will definitely make it again

SteadyAcai2164

03/15/2025 11:20:14 PM

Delicious way to cook pork chops! A little salty, due to the soy sauce, so I think I'll skip adding extra salt and also try a low sodium soy in the future.

Sandra Lopez

02/05/2025 05:52:18 PM

Couldn’t stop eating straight from the pan.

Trixie

01/08/2025 12:14:11 AM

Fabulous!

NimbleSquid4274

11/25/2024 04:04:39 PM

Just loved it

Katherine Anderson

11/15/2024 04:55:05 AM

This one deserves five stars.

Sarah Ruthven

02/14/2024 09:06:15 PM

This pork chop was really delicious! I loved it

Soprano2

02/09/2024 05:26:36 AM

I followed the recipe as written. When I tasted it before serving, it was SO salty it about knocked me over! I tried to mitigate it hurriedly by adding some water but it needed so much that it was too thin. It ruined the taste of the meat and I threw leftovers away. I cannot recommend this recipe in any way.