Slow cooked tender pork chops served on a plate with herb sauce

Tender Slow-Cooked Pork Chops with Savory Herb Sauce

Name: Tender Slow-Cooked Pork Chops with Savory Herb Sauce
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 piece Bone-in pork chops (about 2.5 cm thick); 2 tbsp Olive oil; 1 tsp Salt (preferably kosher); 0.5 tsp Black pepper (freshly ground); 3 piece Garlic cloves (minced); 1 medium Onion (sliced); 1 cup Chicken broth (low sodium); 1 tsp Dried thyme; 1 tsp Dried rosemary; 1 tbsp Soy sauce; 1 tbsp Cornstarch (optional, for thickening); 2 tbsp Cold water (optional, for thickening)

Home Page / Slow Cooker Recipes / Slow Cooking Pork: Easy and Delicious Recipes

easy

3 hour

Nutritional value per serving

Calories350kcal

Carbs10gram

Fat20gram

Protein30gram

Ingredients

Quantity

Bone-in pork chops (about 2.5 cm thick)4 piece
Olive oil2 tbsp
Salt (preferably kosher)1 tsp
Black pepper (freshly ground)0.5 tsp
Garlic cloves (minced)3 piece
Onion (sliced)1 medium
Chicken broth (low sodium)1 cup
Dried thyme1 tsp
Dried rosemary1 tsp
Soy sauce1 tbsp
Cornstarch (optional, for thickening)1 tbsp
Cold water (optional, for thickening)2 tbsp

This recipe guides you through slow cooking pork chops to achieve tender, juicy meat enhanced with a savory herb sauce. Perfect for beginners, this method keeps your pork chops moist and flavorful while ensuring they reach the safe internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Total cost of ingredients is approximately $12 / €11 / £9 / ₹900. Each serving contains about 350 calories. This recipe suits a balanced diet, is of easy difficulty, and takes about 25 minutes prep and 3 hours cooking time.

Preparation instructions

Prepare the pork chops

1Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Dry chops brown better and have improved flavor.

Sear the pork chops

2Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the pork chops and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. This step locks in flavor and improves texture.

Prepare slow cooker

3Transfer the seared pork chops to the slow cooker. Add minced garlic, sliced onion, chicken broth, dried thyme, rosemary, and soy sauce over the pork chops.

Slow cook the pork chops

4Cover and cook on low for 2.5 to 3 hours. Check after 2.5 hours; pork chops should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) when measured with a meat thermometer at the thickest part. Slow cooking ensures tenderness and juiciness.

Optional sauce thickening

5To thicken the sauce, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry. Stir into slow cooker sauce and cook on high for 10-15 minutes until thickened.

Serve safely

6Make sure pork chops have reached at least 145°F (63°C). Let them rest for 3 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring moist tender meat. Serve with the herb sauce on top.

Cooking Tips

1Choose bone-in pork chops about 2.5 cm thick for best slow cooking results as the bone helps retain moisture.

2Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards for raw pork and other ingredients. Always wash your hands and materials after handling raw meat.

3Don't skip the searing step as it adds flavor and texture, but be careful not to overcook during searing since the slow cooker will finish cooking.

4If you don't have a meat thermometer, buy an affordable digital one to make cooking meats safer and easier.

Equipment Needed

Large skillet or frying pan
Slow cooker
Meat thermometer
Cutting board
Knife
Measuring spoons and cups
Mixing bowl (for slurry, optional)

Shopping List

[ ] Bone-in pork chops (about 4 pieces, ~2.5 cm thick) - Approx. $8.50. Choose chops with pinkish color and no strong odor.
[ ] Olive oil (2 tbsp) - You can use any quality olive oil, about $0.30 worth.
[ ] Garlic cloves (3 pieces) - Fresh and firm cloves cost about $0.20.
[ ] Onion (1 medium) - Choose firm, dry-skinned onions, about $0.50.
[ ] Chicken broth (1 cup) - Low sodium preferred, a carton costs about $2, you will use a fraction.
[ ] Dried thyme (1 tsp) - Small jar around $2, use from your pantry if available.
[ ] Dried rosemary (1 tsp) - Similar to thyme in price and use.
[ ] Soy sauce (1 tbsp) - Around $0.20 worth.
[ ] Cornstarch (1 tbsp, optional) - Small box $1.50, optional for thickening sauce.

Total estimated cost: Approximately $12.20. Prices vary by location and brand.

FAQ

How do I know when the pork chops are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 145°F (63°C). Insert it into the thickest part of the chop for accuracy.

Can I use boneless pork chops instead?

Yes, but boneless pork chops may cook faster. Monitor them closely and check internal temperature earlier, around 2 to 2.5 hours.

Is slow cooking safe for pork?

Yes, slow cooking is safe as long as the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) and you follow good food handling practices to avoid cross-contamination.

Can I prepare this recipe without searing?

While searing adds flavor and color, you can skip it for convenience. The pork chops will still cook through and be safe, but flavor and appearance may be less vibrant.