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    Grits and Pinecones » Recipes » Pork

    Easy Crockpot Pork Chops and Apples

    October 27, 2022 by Sharon Rigsby 9 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest pin showing a plate of cooked pork chops with apple slices.

    This recipe for Easy Crockpot Pork Chops and Apples features tender, juicy fall-off-the-bone pork chops covered with tart/sweet apple slices and smothered in brown sugar and cinnamon.

    When pork and apples come together, something wonderful happens, and when you add brown sugar, cinnamon, and a slow cooker to the mix, you have a winning combination. 

    Pork chops on a plate with mashed potatoes and sliced apples.

    Tender and juicy bone-in center-cut pork chops and crisp, tart granny smith apples make this a recipe you will want to serve over and over again. Not only are these crockpot pork chops delicious, but the slow cooker does the work, and all you have to do is serve it to your hungry family!

    Like my Slow Cooker Mediterranean Beef Roast, it’s a real family favorite and a great meal to serve on a busy weeknight, yet, it’s impressive enough to serve guests. 

    Jump to:
    • Ingredient notes:
    • Step-by-step directions:
    • Recipe FAQs:
    • Sharon’s tips:
    • More crockpot and slow cooker recipes:
    • 📋 Recipe:

    Ingredient notes:

    You will only need a few ingredients to make this dish: 

    Raw pork chops on a cutting board along with apples and other ingredients.
    • Bone-in pork chops – tend to be more flavorful and will be juicier.
    • Apples – I like to use crisp, tart Granny Smith, but any firm apple variety will work in this recipe, such as Jonagold, Braeburn, or Mitsu.
    • Olive oil – is used to pan-fry the pork chops before they go in the crockpot.
    • All-purpose flour – coats the pork chops before pan frying, helps them to caramelize and brown quickly, and helps to thicken the liquid. I have also used gluten-free one-for-one flour with good results.
    • Kosher salt and ground black pepper – season the chops and enhance all of the flavors of the dish.
    • Brown sugar and ground cinnamon – adds another layer of flavor to the apples and chops.
    • Apple juice – adds more apple flavor and moisture to the dish. You can substitute apple cider or even, in a pinch, use plain water or chicken stock.

    Step-by-step directions:

    1. Season the pork chops on both sides with salt and pepper.
    Pork chops on a cutting board seasoned with salt and pepper.
    1. Dredge them in the flour and shake off any excess.
    Floured pork chops on a cutting board.
    1. Add oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chops and pan-fry them for about two minutes on each side. Set aside.
    Pan-frying pork chops in a skillet.
    1. Place the pork chops in the crockpot. Add the apple slices and then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon over the top. Add the apple juice.
    A crockpot full of pork chops topped with brown sugar.
    1. Cover the crockpot, and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours. Optional, garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
    Two pork chops on a plate with a glass of white wine.

    Recipe FAQs:

    What to serve with this recipe?

    This dish is a little rich, so I like to keep my sides simple. I usually serve it with Roasted Green Beans with Bacon and Lemon, Easy Orzo Pilaf with Lemon and Chives, Southern Green Beans and New Potatoes, Potato and Broccoli Salad with Vinaigrette, or Easy Baked Fresh Tomato Casserole.  

    How long does it take to cook this dish in a crockpot?

    The length of cooking time depends mainly on how thick your pork chops are. In general, it will take about four hours on high or about six hours on high.

    What is the safe cooked temperature for pork?

    The USDA recommends that pork roasts or pork chops be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 °F. To measure the temperature, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chop, not touching the bone.

    What’s the difference between a slow cooker and a crockpot?

    While both use moist heat to cook food low and slow over a long period of time, they are not the same. A crockpot is a brand of slow cooker made by Rival, and slow cooker appliances can be made by many different manufacturers.

    All crackpots are slow cookers, but not all slow cookers are crackpots. However, both use a ceramic bowl set inside a hearing unit that cycles off and on. Also, most have two cooking temperatures, high (300 °F) and low (200 °F).

    What cut of pork chop works the best in this recipe?

    For the best results, try to find thick bone-in porterhouse pork chops that are about an inch thick. They will have a characteristic t-bone, just like a t-bone steak. Blade chops or pork steaks also work well in this recipe.

    Boneless chops are thinner and tend to be not as juicy or as flavorful as bone-in chops.

    Sharon’s tips:

    • Crockpots and slow cookers all cook a little differently depending on the model you have.  The cooking time will also vary depending on the thickness of your chops. Be sure to check your meat often. It should be falling off the bone tender when done.
    • The apples in this recipe will be very soft and have the consistency of applesauce after cooking. If you prefer your apples with a firmer texture, wait to add them to the crockpot during the last hour of cooking.
    • Leftovers can be stored covered in the fridge for up to four days. A single serving can be reheated in the microwave or if you have more, you can reheat covered in a 350 °F oven.

    More crockpot and slow cooker recipes:

    • Southern Crock-Pot Easy Cheesy Grits
    • Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos Recipe
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Pasta
    • Easy Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

    If you need other dinner menu ideas or recipes, check out all of my main dish recipes here.  

    ★★★★★ If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and give it a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!

    Thanks so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones! I hope you come back soon!

    📋 Recipe:

    Pork chops and sliced apples on a plate with mashed potatoes.

    Easy Crock-Pot Pork Chops and Apples

    Sharon Rigsby
    Tender, juicy fall-off-the-bone pork chops covered with tart/sweet apple slices and smothered in brown sugar and cinnamon and cooked in a crock-pot. A real family favorite, yet, impressive enough to serve guests. 
    4.48 from 17 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 4 hrs
    Total Time 4 hrs 10 mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine American, Southern
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 356 kcal

    Equipment

    • Crockpot or slow cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 pork chops, bone-in center-cut, about 1-inch thick
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 4 granny smith apples, unpeeled, cored and quartered
    • ½ cup light brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ cup apple juice or apple cider

    Instructions
     

    • Season the chops on both sides with the salt and pepper.
    • Dredge in flour and shake off any excess.
    • Add oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chops and pan-fry them for about two minutes on each side or until they are lightly browned. Remove from the pan.
    • Place the pork chops in the crockpot. Add the apple slices and then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon over the top. Add the apple juice.
    • Cover and cook on high for four hours or on low for six hours.
    • Optional, garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Crockpots and slow cookers all cook a little differently depending on the model you have.  The cooking time will also vary depending on the thickness of your chops. Be sure to check your meat often. It should be falling off the bone tender when done.
    The apples in this recipe will be very soft and have the consistency of applesauce after cooking. If you prefer your apples with a firmer texture, wait to add them to the crockpot during the last hour of cooking.
    I always use granny smith apples in this recipe because they are firm and I like their tartness. You can substitute other types of apples, but depending on which you use, the consistency and taste will be a bit different.
    Be sure to use bone-in pork chops. They will have the best flavor, and the bone will help to keep the meat from drying as its cooked.
    Leftovers can be stored covered in the fridge for up to four days. A single serving can be reheated in the microwave or if you have more, you can reheat covered in a 350 °F oven.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 356kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 30gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 649mgPotassium: 711mgFiber: 5gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 106IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Tag me today! Mention @gritspinecones or tag #gritspinecones!

    *This recipe was originally published October 31, 2017.

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Joyce Barnes

      November 29, 2022 at 8:51 pm

      5 stars
      It was very good. I loved the “apple sauce” as it made the dish even more flavorful. This is one I will do again and even for guests.

      Reply
    2. Amber

      May 08, 2022 at 4:33 pm

      It says brown the pork chops and set aside, so I think there’s a missing instruction, like placing pork chops on top of the apples, then cooking it?

      Reply
      • Sharon Rigsby

        May 09, 2022 at 5:05 pm

        Hi Amber, after you add the apple slices and sprinkle them with brown sugar and cinnamon, you top that with the pork chops and add the apple juice.
        I hope you enjoy them!
        Sharon

        Reply
    3. Eugenia Tsimis

      October 21, 2019 at 1:26 pm

      Don’t have Apple juice or cider at the moment. Will it be ok if I use orange juice?

      Reply
      • Sharon Rigsby

        October 21, 2019 at 2:57 pm

        Hi Eugenia,
        I can’t say for sure because I’ve never tried that, but I think it would be fine. If you decide to use the OJ, let me know what you think.
        All the best,
        Sharon

        Reply
    4. Jackie Trueblood

      September 15, 2018 at 1:59 pm

      Would gala apples work as well as the green ones?

      Reply
      • Gritsandpinecones

        September 15, 2018 at 3:58 pm

        Hi Jackie,
        Yes, you can use any type of apple you like.
        Sharon

        Reply
    5. Lauren

      January 16, 2018 at 2:24 pm

      Hi! I have this yummy meal in the crockpot now! What would you suggest to have with it? Thanks!!

      Reply
      • Gritsandpinecones

        January 16, 2018 at 4:56 pm

        Hi Lauren,
        I hope I got back to you in time I’ve served the pork chops with mashed potatoes, orzo or rice. I’ve also served them with just a salad. I hope this helps and I hope you enjoy them!
        Sharon

        Reply

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    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, recipe developer, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have well over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and there is nothing I like better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

    More about me →

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