Fall-off-the-bone Smothered Pork Chops fall under this category. Cooked in a rich beef base, these chops are juicy, succulent, and oh-so good. A few pantry staples and a slow cooker make quick work of this comforting meal, ideal for any busy weeknight at home for the whole family. It is very fulfilling and goes best served with mashed potatoes or rice.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy Cooking: Let the slow cooker do all the work while you do whatever you want.
Ultimate Tenderness: This long cooking period has deservedly turned these chops into soft, succulent, and juicy masterpieces.
Gravy, Gravy, Oh How We Love Thee: With the richness of onion soup mix, pork gravy, and cream of chicken soup, this gravy is lipsmacking good.
Go-to-for-the-Just: Comfort-food sums up the taste and ingredients, making a win at the dining table.
Adaptable: Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles-its your call.
Key Ingredients
Pork Chops: Bone-in pork chops are among the best options because they not only maintain a good, juicy texture but also retain flavor during long and slow cooking.
Onion Soup Mix: It will give height, a touch of umami, and a hint of onion-y sweetness to the gravy.
Chicken Broth: The low-salt chicken broth will keep the flavor up even while keeping the gravy light on salt.
Cream of Chicken Soup: Low-salt creamy base gives a thick range of flavor to the gravy plus a sticky lusciousness; it makes it easy to salt the final reign.
Pork Gravy Mix: Again, potatoes blend well with a saltine-eye-pig sauce, creating a ragu of satisfaction.
Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds a bit of pervasive but not overwhelm-the-nostrils aroma that rounds out the flavors in general.
Cornstarch: This is used at the end to thicken the gravy, resulting in the perfect gravy to smother the pork chops.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
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Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Gravy Mixture
Combine Ingredients:
In a 5-6 quart slow cooker, whisk together:
1 packet onion soup mix
2 cups chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup (10.5 oz)
1 packet pork gravy mix.
Ensure Smoothness:
Whisk thoroughly to create a smooth, lump-free gravy mixture. This will be the base for infusing rich flavors into the pork chops.
Step 2: Season the Pork Chops
Prepare the Pork Chops:
Use bone-in pork chops for optimal flavor and tenderness.
Season:
Sprinkle garlic powder lightly on both sides of each pork chop. This adds a subtle, savory depth that pairs perfectly with the gravy.
Step 3: Arrange the Pork Chops in the Slow Cooker
Layer the Chops:
Place the seasoned pork chops into the slow cooker.
Arrange them evenly, ensuring each chop is coated in the gravy mixture. This ensures uniform flavor absorption during cooking.
Step 4: Slow Cook the Pork Chops
Set the Slow Cooker:
Cover the slow cooker with its lid.
Set it to low heat and cook for 4-6 hours. This slow, gentle cooking method ensures the pork becomes tender and flavorful.
Step 5: Thicken the Gravy
Prepare the Cornstarch Slurry:
In a small bowl, whisk together:
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water.
Mix until smooth and lump-free.
Thicken the Gravy:
About 30 minutes before serving, pour the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker.
Gently stir to combine without breaking apart the tender pork chops.
Finish Cooking:
Switch the slow cooker to high heat and cook for another 30 minutes, or until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
Serve and Enjoy:
Serve the tender pork chops hot, generously topped with the thickened gravy.
Pair with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or buttered noodles, for a complete, comforting meal.
Serving Suggestions
Mashed Potatoes: Loosen the thick good stuff on to tender mashed potatoes for a comfort-food bliss.
Steamed Vegetables: Steamed green beans, carrots, or broccoli will balance the richness so appropriately.
Buttered Noodles: Serve over egg noodles or butter noodles for dinner-best version to complete a good meal.
Rice: A bed of rice without any spices or a fragrant garlic butter-rice will truly make the gravy produce magic.
Crusty Bread: Use a slice of crusty bread to mop up as much of this glorious gravy as you can.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate: Keep leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Gently warm in a skillet or microwave and add some chicken broth if the gravy has become a little thick.
Freeze: Pork chops and gravy may be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Variations
Herbal Flavors: Put in one sprig of rosemary or thyme for an earthy touch.
Mushroom Gravy: Stir in the sautéed mushrooms during the final 30 minutes of cooking to amp up the substance and flavor.
Spicy Kick: Throw in a pinch of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to give it a hint of spiciness.
Boneless Alternative: Stick to boneless pork chops for a quick-fix option, even though they might need a few fewer minutes for cooking.
Low-Carb: Cauliflower mash or zucchini noodles make a perfect keto-diet accompaniment.
Conclusion
Another lip-smacking dish, these slow-cooker pork chops cooked with smothered gravy tend to soothe any palate. With tenderness and a heavy portion of gravy, this dish screams being easy and perfectly put together for busy weeknights and lazy weekends. Serve them with your most favorite sides and be ready to gobble these utterly gratifying chops down.
Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in pork chops
- 1 oz onion soup mix packet
- 2 cups chicken broth low sodium
- 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup low sodium
- 1 oz dry pork gravy mix packet
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3 tbsp cornstarch for thickening
- 3 tbsp cold water for slurry
Instructions
- In a 5-6 quart slow cooker, whisk together onion soup mix, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, and pork gravy mix. Whisk until smooth and lump-free.
- Season both sides of the pork chops with garlic powder. Use bone-in pork chops for the best flavor and tenderness.
- Place the seasoned pork chops into the slow cooker. Ensure they are evenly coated in the gravy mixture for uniform flavor absorption.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours, or until the pork chops are tender and cooked through.
- Whisk together cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl to create a slurry. About 30 minutes before serving, stir the slurry into the slow cooker. Switch to HIGH and cook until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
- Serve the pork chops hot, generously topped with thickened gravy. Pair with mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or steamed vegetables for a comforting meal.
