Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Pork Chops are the epitome of a comforting and effortless meal. Inspired by Ree Drummond’s popular recipes, this dish transforms simple boneless pork chops into incredibly tender and flavorful perfection using your slow cooker. If you’re a fan of hearty, family-friendly meals that require minimal effort, this recipe is a must-try. It’s the perfect dish for a cozy Sunday supper or any weeknight when you crave a satisfying and delicious dinner. For more delightful recipes inspired by Ree Drummond, be sure to explore Pioneer Woman’s Favorite Recipes.
My family, especially my husband, absolutely loves pork chops. Finding recipes that make him feel indulged is always a win in my book. When I stumbled upon Ree Drummond’s Slow Cooker Pork Chops, featured on the Food Network, I immediately knew I had to recreate this magic in my own kitchen. This recipe is wonderfully straightforward, utilizing boneless pork chops and simple pantry staples, making it accessible for cooks of all skill levels.
Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Pork Chops ready to be served, showcasing tender pork and rich gravy
In the past, I’ve experimented with slow cooker pork chops with gravy, but Pioneer Woman’s recipe includes a crucial step: searing the pork chops before they go into the slow cooker. While my previous version was tasty, searing the pork truly elevates the flavor and texture. Ree Drummond’s original recipe definitely comes out on top, delivering a richer and more satisfying result. The searing process adds a beautiful golden crust and locks in the juices, ensuring incredibly moist and tender pork chops after slow cooking.
Close-up of seared pork chops in a skillet, showing the golden-brown crust before slow cooking
Crafting the Best Slow Cooker Pork Chops, Pioneer Woman Style
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Pork Chops laid out on a kitchen counter, ready for preparation
As a devoted fan of the Pioneer Woman, my admiration for Ree Drummond extends beyond her recipes. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Pawhuska, Oklahoma, and experiencing her culinary empire firsthand. From savoring delicious meals at her restaurants, including the renowned P-Town Pizza, to exploring The Mercantile and indulging in Pioneer Woman bakeware, I’m completely captivated by her food and lifestyle.
Among her many popular recipes, the Pioneer Woman Lemon Bars and Pioneer Woman Restaurant Style Salsa are personal favorites. My love for her is truly an understatement! Her recipes are consistently approachable, flavorful, and designed for real families.
Now, let’s dive into making these incredible Pioneer Woman slow cooker pork chops using simple, readily available ingredients. This recipe is all about layering flavors and utilizing the slow cooker to its full potential.
To begin, prepare your pork chop dredge. In a shallow pan, combine flour, seasoned salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper (for a touch of heat), and dried thyme leaves. This blend of spices will create a flavorful crust on your pork chops. Dredge each pork chop thoroughly in the flour mixture, ensuring both sides are evenly coated. Shake off any excess flour to prevent the dredge from becoming gummy during searing. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of garlic powder to your flour mixture.
Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. The combination of butter and olive oil provides both flavor and a higher smoke point, perfect for searing. Once the butter is melted and the skillet is hot, carefully add the dredged pork chops in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding can lower the skillet temperature and result in steamed rather than seared pork chops. Cook the pork chops for approximately 3 minutes per side, or until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust. This searing step is crucial for building flavor and creating a desirable texture.
Searing pork chops in a hot skillet with butter and oil, creating a golden-brown crust
Transfer the seared pork chops to a plate and set aside. If you prefer bone-in pork chops, they can be used in this recipe as well, although boneless chops cook more quickly and evenly in the slow cooker.
Slow Cooking to Tender Perfection
Now, it’s time to build the flavorful gravy base in the same skillet. Add the diced onions to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, or until softened and slightly translucent. Sautéing the onions in the skillet after searing the pork chops allows them to pick up all those delicious browned bits, adding depth to the gravy. If you’re not a fan of onion chunks in your gravy, you can substitute onion powder in the broth mixture later, but sautéed fresh onions contribute significantly to the overall flavor.
In your 6-quart or 8-quart slow cooker, combine cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken soup as an alternative), chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk these ingredients together until smooth and well combined. For an even richer flavor profile, consider adding a pinch of brown sugar and a dash of black pepper to the broth mixture.
Add the sautéed onions, fresh thyme sprigs, and the seared pork chops to the slow cooker. Nestle the pork chops into the gravy mixture, ensuring they are mostly submerged.
Pork chops, onions, and thyme sprigs added to the slow cooker with cream of mushroom soup mixture
Cover the slow cooker and cook on high heat for 1 hour to quickly heat everything through. Then, reduce the heat to low and cook for an additional 2 hours. This combination of high and low cooking ensures the pork chops become incredibly tender and juicy without drying out. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, creating a rich and savory gravy that complements the pork perfectly.
The resulting gravy will be wonderfully thick and flavorful – no need for any additional thickening agents! Serve these succulent pork chops over a bed of creamy homemade mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food experience. Egg noodles are another fantastic serving option, soaking up the delicious gravy perfectly.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Allow the cooked pork chops to cool to room temperature before storing. Transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm the pork chops and gravy in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave until heated through. Adding a splash of chicken broth during reheating can help to maintain moisture.
Explore More Delicious Pork Recipes
If you’re a pork enthusiast, be sure to check out these other mouthwatering pork recipes: Tender and Juicy Pork Steak and Brown Sugar and Garlic Pork Roast. The Brown Sugar and Garlic Pork Roast, made with a pork shoulder roast, demonstrates how slow cooking can transform tougher cuts of meat into incredibly tender and flavorful dishes.
Another must-try slow cooker pork recipe is Slow Cooker Pork Butt, perfect for making the best barbecue sandwiches.
For simple and easy slow cooker recipes that the whole family will adore, these pork chop recipes are excellent choices.
More Pioneer Woman Inspired Recipes to Love
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Ingredients
For the Dredge
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Main Ingredients
- 8 boneless pork loin chops, 1-inch thick
- 1 large onion, diced
The Gravy
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken soup)
- 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Dredge: In a shallow dish, whisk together flour, seasoned salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), and dried thyme leaves.
- Dredge Pork Chops: Dredge each pork chop in the flour mixture, coating both sides completely. Shake off excess flour.
- Sear Pork Chops: In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil and butter over medium-high heat until butter is melted. Add pork chops in batches and sear for 3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove to a plate.
- Sauté Onions: Add diced onions to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened. Remove pan from heat.
- Combine Gravy Ingredients: In a slow cooker, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Add Onions and Pork: Stir in sautéed onions and thyme sprigs into the slow cooker. Nestle seared pork chops into the gravy mixture.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on high for 1 hour, then reduce heat to low and cook for 2 more hours, or until pork chops are tender.
- Serve: Serve hot over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8
Serving Size:
1 Amount Per Serving: Calories: 135Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 449mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 5g
Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram!
