Slow Cooker Smothered Pork Chops

Description

These Slow Cooker Smothered Pork Chops are tender, juicy, and covered in a rich, savory onion gravy. Pork chops slowly cook with caramelized onions, garlic, herbs, and creamy gravy until wonderfully tender. It’s an easy comfort-food dinner that pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables.

Ingredients

• 4–6 boneless or bone-in pork chops
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• ½ cup heavy cream or evaporated milk
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 3 tbsp cold water
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Season the pork: Pat the pork chops dry. Season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
2. Brown the chops: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork chops for about 2–3 minutes per side, until nicely browned. Transfer them to the slow cooker.
3. Cook the onions: In the same skillet, add the sliced onions and cook for 4–5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
4. Make the gravy: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and Dijon mustard.
5. Slow cook: Pour the onion gravy over the pork chops. Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 2½–3½ hours, until the pork is tender and reaches a safe internal temperature.
6. Make it creamy: During the final 20–30 minutes, stir in the heavy cream or evaporated milk.
7. Thicken the gravy: Mix cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Stir into the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for about 10–15 minutes, until the gravy thickens.
8. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and spoon plenty of onion gravy over each pork chop. Serve hot with mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or vegetables.

💡 Recipe Tips

• Bone-in pork chops can add extra flavor, while boneless chops cook a little faster.
• Don’t skip the quick sear—it adds a delicious browned flavor to the finished gravy.
• Avoid overcooking lean pork chops; use a thermometer to check doneness.
• For extra-rich gravy, use evaporated milk or a splash of heavy cream.
• Add sliced mushrooms with the onions for a delicious mushroom-and-onion variation.

❓ Q&A

Can I use boneless pork chops?
Yes. Boneless chops work very well, but check them earlier because they can cook faster than thick bone-in chops.

Can I skip browning the pork chops?
Yes, but browning adds significantly more flavor and color to the dish.

What should I serve with smothered pork chops?
Mashed potatoes are a classic choice because they soak up the onion gravy beautifully. Rice, noodles, green beans, or roasted vegetables also work well.

Can I make this without cream?
Absolutely. You can leave out the cream for a lighter, broth-based onion gravy.

How should I store leftovers?
Refrigerate the pork chops and gravy in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently to prevent the pork from drying out.