Talk about mouthwatering! These Slow Cooker Smothered Pork Chops are fork tender and the onion gravy that smothers them is rich, savory and loaded with bacon. Who could resist these, right?
Typically we will roast, smoke or grill a pork tenderloin, but pork chops were on sale and this is a favorite recipe of mine. The heavy lifting is done in the slow cooker, so you can go about other things that demand your attention.
How do I make smothered pork chops?
I start off by rendering the bacon until crispy and set aside. The bacon fat thats left in the pan is liquid gold and I sauté the onions and garlic in it next.
The seasoned pork chops are laid on top of the sautéed onions, garlic and fresh thyme in the slow cooker. A mixture of chicken stock and soy sauce are poured over and the pork chops slow cook for 4 hours until for tender.
While that all is cooking I boil my pasta just prior to the pork chops finishing. I like to use egg noodles for the base of this dish. The smothered pork chops are set on top and served.
Simply remove the cooked pork chops and keep warm so you can make the onion gravy that smothers them. Apple cider vinegar and a cornstarch slurry are added, then it gets cooked to thicken.
To plate, serve the pork chops over the cooked egg noodles and pour a generous helping of the onion gravy over all. Top with the reserved, crispy bacon and sprinkle with fresh parsley. This is a keeper. Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Smothered Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork chops (See Note 1)
- 1 tsp kosher salt divided
- 2 tsp black pepper divided
- 6 slices bacon (See Note 2)
- 1 large white onion halved and cut 1/2 inch slices
- 3 garlic cloves smashed and minced
- 2 tsp fresh thyme chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp Tabasco or favorite hot sauce
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1 lb egg noodles
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat render and cook the bacon pieces until crispy. Set aside to drain on paper towel and reserve bacon fat in skillet.
- Add onions to skillet and cook for several minutes. Add the garlic and thyme and season with half of the kosher salt and black pepper. Cook another 2 minutes and pour mixture in a slow cooker.
- Season both sides of each pork chop with remaining salt and pepper. Lay on top of the onion mixture.
- Mix together the chicken stock, soy sauce and Tabasco. Pour over pork chops. Close slow cooker lid and cook on low for 4 hours (See Note 3).
- Bring heavily salted water to the boil and cook pasta per package directions, about 7 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water for gravy.
- Remove pork chops from slow cooker and tent with foil to keep warm. Turn slow cooker to high heat. Mix together the cornstarch and water and pour into onion mixture with the reserved pasta water and apple cider vinegar. Stir to mix and cook. Gravy will thicken.
- Drain and set pasta in bowl or on serving platter. Lay pork chops on top of pasta and pour onion gravy over all. Sprinkle with crispy bacon and chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
- I use four 8-10 oz bone in blade cut pork chops that are about 1 inch thick. Also, make 1 or 2 slits in the fat on the outer side of each chop so they don't curl when cooking.
- I like to place my bacon in the freezer for 2-3 minutes to firm up and it makes it easier to slice into strips, optional.
- For Instant Pot version:Â Cook on manual for 8 minutes and 10 minutes to natural pressure release instead of 4 hour slow cooker method.
Hi Kevin…I just found this recipe this morning. Put them in cooker just after breakfast and now we are eating them. I just had to come on here and tell you that my husband said they were the “best pork chops I have ever eaten”!!!! I thought so too. I used 1inch thick center cut pork chops b/c that is what I had on hand. They were great and flavorful…and who knew that noodles could compete so well with our usual staple ‘mashed potatoes’. SO GOOD!! Thank you so much. I will be trolling your pages for more excellent recipes.… Read more »
Thanks for making my morning reading this Ol’ Mama D. 🙂
These chops were good! I will caramelize the onions more next time and double the sauce. The chopped bacon is a must for this recipe. I look forward to making other recipes from your site Kevin!!
Thanks so much for taking the time to come back and let me know Nancy. yay for bacon! 🙂
Hi!
Does this make alot of gravy? I appreciate the notes you included. It’s nice to see these when you question yourself about the recipe!
It does, enough to spoon over the four servings. Thanks for giving this a go Nancy!
Hi Kevin,
I made these last night with some brussel sprouts on the side. A hit with for whole family. Thanks for all your great recipes!
So happy you guys enjoy them. Thanks also for taking the time to come back and let me know. 🙂
Hi Kevin
Do I add the tabasco sauce in with the chicken broth soy sauce mixture?
Can’t wait to taste this! Thanks
Apologies Bridget, mix together the chicken stock, soy sauce and Tabasco. Updated to reflect. Thanks and enjoy! 🙂
How about with Instant Pot?
Thanks for the ask David. I’ve since updated the recipe card with Instant Pot notes. For Instant Pot version:Â Cook on manual for 8 minutes and 10 minutes to natural pressure release instead of 4 hour slow cooker method.
Has this been done with chicken breast? Do you recommend trying with chicken?
Not by myself… yet. Nice idea!
What did you do with the drained, cooked bacon?
Never mind. I just saw them at the very end with he parsley. Will be making this soon!
Excellent!
No worries Jean. 🙂
Hey Kevin1 There is nothing worse than a dry pork chop, but your recipe ensures juicy, succulent chops and that wonderful gravy ! I buy Amish noodles when I can find them. My local store often has bone in, thick cut chops of sale; I think bone-in are so much more flavorful. My kind of comfort food!
I agree with you there Dorothy! Hope you guys give these tasty chops a try. 🙂
These are definitely making my mouth water! Pork chops smothered and covered with ALL the goodness! Where do I sign up!? YUM! Pinned!
I’m with you there Chey. The gravy is outstanding and I even served some fresh French bread, too. Can’t let any of it go to waste! 🙂
OMGee Kevin! Can I just skip the turkey for Tgiving and make these?! I bet everyone would love the delicious change up! Yum!
Make them for the day after and it’s a double win Mary Ann!