Crockpot Apple Pork Chops

Once I feel the first chill in the air after a long hot summer, I immediately get excited to start cooking all of my favorite Fall recipes. These Crockpot Apple Pork Chops are a recipe you can just add to the crock pot and then 5-7 hours later, you can be sitting down and enjoying it. The combination of the savory pork with the sweetness of apples and caramelized onions is so delicious and will make your house smell so good!

Crockpot Apple Pork Chops

I grew up eating pork chops on a weekly basis, but they were always made in a frying pan and had a crunchy exterior, while still remaining tender on the inside. So because of this, I had been skeptical about making pork chops in a crock pot. It is so easy to over cook a pork chop, and in fact, I think that is why most people are nervous to cook one. I was skeptical, but decided to work on perfecting it because I felt as though it would make a delicious and easy meal inspired by the flavors of Fall.

This recipe blends the flavors or apple, caramelized onions, dijon mustard, garlic, thyme, and other spices. I love how these flavors blend with the pork as it slowly cooks. It is such a comforting meal to enjoy. I like to serve these with some mashed potatoes and a little roasted broccoli.

While I was testing this crockpot apple pork chops recipe, I made it 4 times. I made it with boneless pork chops 3 times adjusting the cook time over and over again because it is really hard to make boneless chops tender since there is not a lot of fat in them. The fourth time I made this recipe, I used “Bone-In” pork chops and they were so much easier to cook. Seriously, so tender and juicy in this recipe.

If you have the option to choose which type of pork chop to use, definitely go with bone-in. However, if you must use boneless, just note they will need a lot more sauce and mashed potatoes with every bite. They will still be delicious, but just adjust your expectations. You are not going to get “pulled pork” texture with a boneless pork chop.

What do I need to make Crockpot Pork Chops with Apples ?

• Pork Chops – You can use bone-in or boneless, but the pork chops with the bone comes out juicier and more tender, so that is what I prefer. Cooking time for both is below.
• Apple Cider – This is a must! I’ve never tried to substitute apple juice, but if you do please let me know below. The reason I like using cider is because it is slightly spiced and has a deeper flavor. I use this instead of broth so this cider is the only liquid that the pork chops are cooking in and the meat absorbs the slight sweetness as it cooks.
• Granny Smith Apples – You can choose any apples in this recipe, but granny smith are slightly tart and go really well with the other flavors. Also, they hold up well to being in the slow cooker for 8 hours.
• Caramelized Onions – I cook my caramelized onions in bulk so I always have some in the freezer to use. If you do not have them pre-made, you can make a fresh batch on your stove prior to using your crockpot. They should be a deep golden brown, but not burnt when you add them to your slow cooker.
• Dijon Mustard – This is a key ingredient in this recipe and should not be substituted.
• Spices – Garlic Powder, Cinnamon, Thyme, Salt, and Pepper
• Butter – Salted Butter is best for this recipe
• Fresh Thyme – I like adding some fresh thyme on top when I am plating, but this step is optional.

How to make Pork Chops and Apples in the Slow Cooker:

INGREDIENTS  

• 1 lb Pork Chops (this recipe can be doubled, just make sure to double all of the ingredients except for the butter at the end)
• 1 Apple green
• 2 large onions caramelized 
• 1 cup apple cider
• 2 tsp sea salt
• 1.5 tsp garlic powder
• .5 tsp cinnamon 
• 1 tsp thyme dried
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp butter salted

INSTRUCTIONS 

• Caramelize your onions. I like to do this step the day before so that when it comes to making this recipe, I can just add everything to the crock pot all at once and set it. (See Notes Below)
• Add all of the ingredients, except for the apple, to a crock pot. Give it a good stir and then slow cook on low. If you are using bone-in pork chops, cook for 7 hours. If you are using boneless pork chops, cook for 5 hours.
• Slice your apple into 1/4″ inch thick slices and add it to your slow cooker when you have 1 hour remaining to cook.

NOTES

I like to caramelize my onions in a slower cooker. I couple times a year I will put 5lbs of sliced onions in my slower cooker with a little olive oil and butter and then slow cook them overnight. Then, I freeze them in 1/2 silicone containers and I take them out of the freezer as needed. I have a recipe for this on my site “Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions”

If you do not want to slow cook your caramelize onions, you can also just caramelize your onions the night before and then store them in the refrigerator until you use them in this recipe. Or, you can caramelize the onions before you add them into your slow cooker.