Dive into the heart of home-style cooking with Pioneer Woman Smothered Pork Chops, a recipe that promises tender, flavorful pork in a rich, creamy gravy. Inspired by Ree Drummond’s signature style, this dish elevates simple pork chops into a comforting, family-favorite meal. If you’re a fan of hearty, no-fuss dinners, this smothered pork chops recipe is your ticket to a satisfying culinary experience. And for more delicious inspiration from Ree, don’t miss out on exploring other Pioneer Woman’s Favorite Recipes.
My family are true pork chop enthusiasts, and finding recipes that turn this humble cut of meat into something truly special is always a mission of mine. There’s something incredibly rewarding about serving a dish that feels both comforting and a little bit luxurious, especially when it’s as straightforward to make as these Pioneer Woman Smothered Pork Chops.
Close-up of seared pork chops in a skillet, ready to be smothered, showcasing the golden-brown crust and juicy appearance.
I first encountered Ree Drummond’s version of Slow Cooker Pork Chops on Food Network and was immediately drawn to the idea of searing the pork before slow cooking. I’ve experimented with slow cooker pork chops with gravy before, but the searing step in Pioneer Woman’s smothered pork chops recipe seemed like it would add a depth of flavor that was hard to resist. While my previous attempts were tasty, there’s no doubt that Ree’s approach to smothered pork chops takes it to another level. The simple addition of searing makes all the difference!
Mastering Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops: Pioneer Woman Style
Overhead shot of ingredients for Pioneer Woman smothered pork chops, including pork chops, onions, cream of mushroom soup, and spices, arranged on a kitchen counter.
For anyone familiar with my kitchen adventures, it’s no secret that I’m a big admirer of the Pioneer Woman. My trips to Pawhuska, Oklahoma, and experiences at her restaurants like P-Town Pizza and shopping at the Mercantile have only deepened my appreciation for her approachable and flavorful cooking style. From Pioneer Woman Lemon Bars to Pioneer Woman Restaurant Style Salsa, her recipes consistently deliver on taste and ease, making her a go-to source for home cooks everywhere. My kitchen is stocked with Pioneer Woman Bakeware and her cookbooks are well-loved and frequently used!
Let’s get started on these Pioneer Woman Smothered Pork Chops with a handful of simple ingredients that come together to create something truly special.
First, prepare your pork chops for searing. In a shallow pan, combine flour, seasoned salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if you like a little heat), and dried thyme. This blend of spices creates a flavorful crust that enhances the pork chops beautifully. Dredge each pork chop in this mixture, ensuring both sides are well coated. Shake off any excess flour – this prevents the coating from becoming gummy when seared. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a touch of garlic powder to your flour mixture.
Heat a large skillet or a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and olive oil – the combination of both provides flavor and prevents the butter from burning. Once the butter is melted and the pan is hot, carefully place the pork chops in the skillet, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Sear them for about 3 minutes per side, or until they achieve a beautiful golden brown color. This searing process is crucial; it locks in the juices and adds a rich, caramelized flavor to the Pioneer Woman smothered pork chops.
Image of seared pork chops in a hot skillet, showing the browning process and sizzling butter and oil.
Remove the seared pork chops from the skillet and set aside. Whether you’re using boneless or bone-in pork chops, this recipe works wonderfully.
Slow Cooker Magic for Smothered Perfection
Now, it’s time to build the flavorful gravy base for our Pioneer Woman Smothered Pork Chops. In the same skillet, add diced onions and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened and slightly caramelized. If you’re not a fan of visible onions in your gravy, you can skip this step and opt for onion powder in the slow cooker broth mixture instead, but sautéing fresh onions adds a depth of flavor that’s worth the minimal effort.
In a 6-quart or 8-quart slow cooker, combine cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken soup if you prefer a slightly different flavor profile), chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk these ingredients together until smooth. For an even richer gravy, consider adding a tablespoon of brown sugar and a pinch of black pepper to this mixture – it enhances the savory depth beautifully.
Add the sautéed onions (if using), thyme sprigs, and the seared pork chops into the slow cooker, nestling the chops into the creamy broth.
Image of pork chops placed in a slow cooker, smothered in gravy with onions and thyme sprigs, ready for slow cooking.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on high heat for one hour, then reduce the heat to low and cook for an additional two hours. This two-stage cooking process ensures the Pioneer Woman Smothered Pork Chops become incredibly tender and infused with flavor. The slow cooking process breaks down the pork, resulting in succulent, melt-in-your-mouth chops.
The gravy will thicken beautifully as it cooks alongside the pork chops – no need for any additional thickening agents. Serve these delectable Pioneer Woman Smothered Pork Chops over a bed of creamy homemade mashed potatoes or egg noodles for a truly comforting meal.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Should you have any leftovers (though they’re so good, it’s unlikely!), allow the Pioneer Woman Smothered Pork Chops to cool to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm them in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the gravy becomes too thick.
More Pork Recipes to Love
If you’re a fan of pork, you’re in for a treat! Explore these other delicious pork recipes: Tender and Juicy Pork Steak for a quick and flavorful option, or Brown Sugar and Garlic Pork Roast for a show-stopping centerpiece. And for barbecue lovers, my Slow Cooker Pork Butt recipe is a must-try for the best barbecue sandwiches.
For those who appreciate the ease and flavor of slow cooking, Pioneer Woman Smothered Pork Chops are just the beginning. These recipes are perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend dinners when you want to serve something that feels special without spending hours in the kitchen.
Craving More Pioneer Woman?
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Ingredients
For the Dredge
- 1/2 cup of flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon of chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon of butter
Main Ingredients
- 8 – 1″ thick boneless pork loin chops
- 1 large onion, diced
The Gravy
- 1 10.75 ounce can of cream of mushroom soup (can use cream of chicken if you prefer)
- 1 1/4 cups of chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, seasoned salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper (optional), and thyme leaves for the dredge.
- Dredge each pork chop in the flour mixture, coating both sides evenly. Shake off any excess flour.
- Heat vegetable oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter is melted and skillet is hot.
- Add pork chops to the hot skillet in batches (do not overcrowd) and sear for 3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove pork chops to a plate.
- Add diced onions to the skillet and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until softened and translucent. Remove skillet from heat.
- In a slow cooker, combine cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk until smooth.
- Add sautéed onions and thyme sprigs to the slow cooker. Nestle the seared pork chops into the gravy mixture.
- 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 and cooked through.
- 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
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