This crockpot pork chops with apples recipe is an easy, comforting dish that combines pork with the classic fall flavors of fresh apples and warm spices. The pork chops slow cook with onion, garlic, chicken broth, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground ginger, creating a meal with the perfect balance of sweet and savory. With minimal preparation and simple ingredients, this cozy slow cooker recipe is an easy choice for a weeknight dinner or a relaxed fall meal. Instructions to make Instant Pot pork chops with apples is also included.
Ingredients For Crockpot Pork Chops with Apples
- Pork Chops: Pork chops weighing approximately 1 pound total are the base of the recipe. Bone-in or boneless pork chops may be used. Keep in mind that thin pork chops will cook faster than thick-cut chops.
- Apples: You will need 1 medium-size apple cored and sliced. Peeling the apples is optional. Leaving the skin on helps the slices hold their shape during cooking.
- Onion: Sliced onion adds savory flavor and a subtle sweetness that complements the apples.
- Garlic: Minced garlic cloves provide a savory contrast to the fruit and warm spices.
- Chicken Broth: Chicken broth creates the cooking liquid and helps keep the pork chops moist. I recommend using low-sodium chicken broth so you can better control the saltiness of the finished dish.
- Honey: Honey adds a sweetness to the sauce without overpowering it.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds warmth and brings out the natural sweetness of the apples.
- Nutmeg: A small amount of nutmeg gives the dish a deeper fall-spice flavor.
- Ground Ginger: Ground ginger adds gentle warmth without making the pork chops spicy.
- Salt: A 1/2 teaspoon of salt is all you need to add taste to the homemade sauce.
- Black Pepper: Black pepper balances the sweetness of the apples and enhances the savory ingredients.
How To Make Crockpot Pork Chops with Apples
Slow Cooker
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and sear on each side until lightly brown.
- Add the sliced onion and garlic to the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the pork chops on top of the onions. Place the apple slices and around the pork.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture on top of the pork chops.
- Cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or LOW 4 to 6.
Instant Pot
- Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté. Once hot, add the oil. Add the pork chops and sear on each side until lightly brown. Remove the pork and set aside.
- Add the onion and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until they begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute. Turn off the pressure cooker.
- Mix together the honey and chicken broth until the honey is dissolved. Pour the mixture into the Instant Pot and deglaze the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon.
- Return the pork chops to the Instant Pot. Mix together the with the cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, salt, and pepper. Pour the seasonings on top of the pork chops.
- Arrange the apple slices on top.
- Close and seal the lid. Cook on HIGH pressure and cook for 5 minutes.
- When cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, and then quick-release any remaining pressure.
- Carefully open the lid. Check that the pork chops have reached an internal temperature of at least 145°F. Let them rest for three minutes before serving.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients: This recipe uses a short list of affordable, easy-to-find ingredients.
- Sweet and savory: Apples and warm spices complement the savory pork, onion, and garlic.
- Easy preparation: Add everything to the slow cooker and let it do the work.
- Perfect for fall: Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and apples give this dinner plenty of cozy seasonal flavor.
- Naturally healthy: The recipe is low-carb, paleo, and Whole30 compatible when you use a compliant chicken broth.
FAQs & Tips
What apples should you use?
Firm apples that hold their shape during cooking work best for this recipe. Gala, honeycrisp, Fuji, pink lady, and granny smith are all good options. Use Granny Smith apples if you prefer a more tart flavor. Gala, honeycrisp, Fuji, or pink lady apples will give the dish a sweeter finish. Avoid softer varieties, such as McIntosh, because they can break down quickly in the slow cooker.
Should you peel the apples?
Peeling the apples is optional. Unpeeled apple slices retain their shape better and add color to the finished dish. Peeled apples will become softer and blend more thoroughly into the cooking liquid.
Can you use bone-in pork chops?
Yes. Bone-in and boneless pork chops both work with this recipe. Bone-in pork chops are often more flavorful and less likely to dry out. Boneless pork chops may cook more quickly, particularly when they are thin. Regardless of the type you use, check the pork with a meat thermometer rather than relying only on the cooking time.
Do you need to brown the pork chops first?
Browning the pork chops is optional, but it adds color and extra flavor. Searing is only for browning the outside. The pork chops do not need to be cooked through before being added to the slow cooker.
How do you keep the pork chops from drying out?
The most important step is not overcooking them. Pork chops are lean and can become dry when left in the slow cooker for too long. Cooking time varies depending on the thickness of the pork and the slow cooker being used. Begin checking thinner chops after approximately two hours on LOW. Remove the chops when they reach 145°F in the thickest part.
How can you thicken the sauce?
The cooking liquid will have a thin consistency. To make it thicker, remove the cooked pork chops and whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker, cover, and cook on HIGH for 10 to 15 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Arrowroot flour may be used in place of cornstarch for a paleo-friendly thickener.
How do you serve this?
Serve these crockpot pork chops with a simple side dish that can soak up the flavorful apple-spiced broth. Good options include: rice, mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash, roasted veggies, green beans, brussels sprouts, or a simple salad.
What size slow cooker should you use?
I used a small, 3.5-quart slow cooker. Feeding a larger crowd? Double the recipe and use a 6-quart slow cooker.
Pork Recipes
-
Creamy Pork Chops
-
French Onion Pork Chops
-
Air Fryer Pork Chops
-
Mojo Pork
-
BBQ Pulled Pork
-
Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Crockpot Pork Chops with Apples
This crockpot pork chops with apples recipe is an easy, comforting dish that combines pork with the classic fall flavors of fresh apples and warm spices. The pork chops slow cook with onion, garlic, chicken broth, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground ginger, creating a meal with the perfect balance of sweet and savory. With minimal preparation and simple ingredients, this cozy slow cooker recipe is an easy choice for a weeknight dinner or a relaxed fall meal. Instructions to make Instant Pot pork chops with apples is also included.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours, 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Pressure Cooking, Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops (approximately 1 pound)
- 1 large apple, sliced
- 1/2 small onion, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and sear on each side until lightly brown.
- Add the sliced onion and garlic to the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the pork chops on top of the onions. Place the apple slices and around the pork.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture on top of the pork chops.
- Cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or LOW 4 to 6.
Instant Pot
- Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté. Once hot, add the oil. Add the pork chops and sear on each side until lightly brown. Remove the pork and set aside.
- Add the onion and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until they begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute. Turn off the pressure cooker.
- Mix together the honey and chicken broth until the honey is dissolved. Pour the mixture into the Instant Pot and deglaze the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon.
- Return the pork chops to the Instant Pot. Mix together the with the cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, salt, and pepper. Pour the seasonings on top of the pork chops.
- Arrange the apple slices on top.
- Close and seal the lid. Cook on HIGH pressure and cook for 5 minutes.
- When cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, and then quick-release any remaining pressure.
- Carefully open the lid. Check that the pork chops have reached an internal temperature of at least 145°F. Let them rest for three minutes before serving.
Notes
Cut the apples into thick slices or wedges to help them retain their shape.
Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your pork chops and how hot your slow cooker runs. You may need more or less time. Check the pork early to prevent it from overcooking. Pork chops are done when the thickest part reaches 145°F. Let the meat rest for at least three minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pork chop
- Calories: 125
- Sugar: 15.4 g
- Sodium: 39 mg
- Fat: 1.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 20.7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 17.9 mg
This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive money if you make a purchase using one of the links. For more about my disclosure policy see here: https://fitslowcookerqueen.com/about/disclosure-policy/
