Slow Cooker Glazed Pork Chops

Tender, juicy pork chops slow-cooked in a sweet and savory garlic glaze until beautifully flavorful. This easy comfort-food dinner pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in or boneless pork chops, about 1 inch thick
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup chicken broth
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp cold water
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and onion powder.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork chops for about 2 minutes per side, just until lightly browned. This step adds extra flavor but can be skipped if desired.
3. Place the pork chops in the slow cooker.
4. In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, chicken broth, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar.
5. Pour the glaze mixture evenly over the pork chops.
6. Cover and cook on LOW for 3½–4½ hours, or until the pork is tender and reaches at least 145°F (63°C) internally. Avoid overcooking because pork chops can become dry.
7. Carefully remove the pork chops and place them on a serving plate. Cover loosely with foil.
8. Pour the cooking liquid into a small saucepan. Bring it to a gentle simmer.
9. Mix cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Slowly whisk it into the simmering glaze.
10. Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
11. Spoon the thickened glaze generously over the pork chops.
12. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Tips

• Bone-in pork chops tend to stay juicier in the slow cooker.
• Do not cook the chops much longer than necessary because lean pork can dry out.
• For a deeper caramelized finish, place the cooked chops under the broiler for 1–2 minutes after brushing them with extra glaze.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a sweet-and-spicy glaze.
• Serve with mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, roasted carrots, or rice.

Nut Information

This recipe contains no peanuts or tree nuts in the standard ingredients.

Potential allergens: soy from soy sauce and mustard from Dijon mustard.

Check the labels of packaged ingredients for possible nut cross-contact.

Q&A

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

Q: Can I prepare this without browning the pork first?
A: Yes. You can place the seasoned pork chops directly into the slow cooker, although searing adds more flavor.

Q: Can I use maple syrup instead of honey?
A: Yes. Use an equal amount of pure maple syrup for a slightly deeper, richer flavor.

Q: How do I keep the pork chops juicy?
A: Use thicker chops, cook on LOW, and avoid cooking them significantly beyond the recommended internal temperature.

Q: Can I make the glaze less sweet?
A: Yes. Reduce the brown sugar to ¼ cup and use 2 tablespoons of honey for a more savory glaze.