Emilie Meyer
Cooking pork chops in a crock pot is a great way to make a hearty, comforting, and budget-friendly meal for the whole family. It's an easy and convenient way to prepare pork chops, resulting in tender and juicy meat. While some recipes recommend cooking on low heat for 6-8 hours, you may be wondering if it's possible to cook pork chops in a crock pot on high heat to reduce the cooking time. Well, the good news is that you can! Cooking pork chops on high for 3-4 hours can yield delicious results, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure they turn out just right.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Cook time | 3-4 hours on high, 6-8 hours on low |
| Ingredients | Pork chops, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, pepper, brown gravy mix, cream of chicken soup, beef broth, cornstarch, water, parsley |
| Suggested sides | Mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, vegetables, fruits |
| Tips | Use bone-in pork chops, brine the meat beforehand, sear the chops before slow cooking, cook on low for best results |
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What You'll Learn
How long to cook pork chops in a crock pot on high
Slow cooker pork chops are an incredibly easy, tasty, and budget-friendly meal. They are best cooked on low heat for 6-8 hours, but if you are short on time, you can cook them on high for 3-4 hours.
To cook pork chops in a crock pot on high, first season the chops on both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and/or ranch dressing mix. If you have time, brine the chops for extra flavour and insurance against overcooking. To brine, stir together kosher salt and water, and submerge the chops in the solution for 15 minutes to 4 hours.
Next, preheat oil over medium-high heat and brown the chops on each side for around 3 minutes. Then, remove the chops from the pan and add soup and/or broth to the pan, whisking to release any brown bits from the bottom. Place vegetables and/or fruits in the bottom of the crock pot, then add the chops and pour the soup mixture on top.
Cook on high for 3-4 hours. If you want a thicker sauce, whisk in a slurry or cornstarch and water. Serve the chops with the sauce and vegetables over mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, biscuits, or egg noodles.
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What to put in the crock pot with pork chops
When cooking pork chops in a crock pot, it is recommended to use thicker bone-in chops with a bit of fat throughout. Leaner cuts will not be as tender. The best pork chops for the crock pot include blade chop, shoulder chop, sirloin chop, or tenderloin chops.
To prepare the chops, season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, ranch dressing mix, and garlic powder. You can then brown the pork chops on each side (about 3 minutes per side) before placing them in the crock pot.
In addition to the pork chops, you can put the following in the crock pot to create a rich gravy:
- Onions and mushrooms: Sliced onions and mushrooms add flavor. Use white or brown (cremini) mushrooms.
- Broth: Regular or low-sodium beef or chicken broth or stock is the base of the gravy.
- Condensed soup: Use condensed soup instead of fresh dairy, as the latter can curdle or separate if cooked too long in a slow cooker.
- Cornstarch: Whisk together cornstarch and water, then add to the crock pot to thicken the gravy.
You can serve the pork chops with mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or a salad.
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How to avoid pork chops drying out in a crock pot
Yes, you can cook pork chops in a crockpot on high. However, lean cuts of meat like pork chops are prone to drying out. Here are some tips to avoid that:
Brining and Marinating
Before cooking, you can brine your pork chops in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 6 hours. A brine will pull more moisture into the meat, keeping it juicy. A basic brine can be made with water, salt, and sugar. You can also add aromatics like rosemary, sage, garlic, or thyme. A thicker pork chop can brine for longer, but avoid brining for more than 8 hours to prevent toughness.
You can also marinate your pork chops in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, but ideally for 1 to 8 hours. A marinade will add flavour to your pork chops and make them juicier. It is made of a blend of acid, oil, salt, and aromatics.
Cooking Method
Pork chops need to cook quickly to prevent drying out. You can sear them in a hot pan for 3-4 minutes on each side, creating a crust that keeps the juices in. Then, transfer them to the crockpot and cook on high for 3-4 hours.
Adding Fat
You can counteract the pork chops' lack of fat by basting them with butter towards the end of cooking. This will keep them juicy and add flavour.
Resting
After cooking, let your pork chops rest for at least 5 minutes per inch. This allows the muscle tissue to relax and helps the meat retain moisture.
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How to tenderise pork chops in a crock pot
Tenderising pork chops in a crock pot is an easy and convenient way to cook a delicious meal. This method of slow cooking is ideal for making cheaper cuts of meat more tender and tasty.
Firstly, you can brine your pork chops to add flavour and protect against overcooking. To do this, dissolve 1/2 cup of kosher salt with 8 cups of water. Place the chops in a shallow dish and pour the brine over them, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes to 4 hours. After brining, rinse the chops and pat them dry.
Next, season the pork chops. You can use salt and pepper, or try garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and ranch dressing powder. Some recipes suggest searing the chops in a pan first to create a nice crust and improve the texture.
Now you can add your pork chops to the crock pot. Some recipes suggest adding a layer of vegetables to the pot first, which will cook in the juices of the meat. You can use apples, onions, carrots, celery, potatoes, or sauerkraut. If you are not using vegetables, you can add a splash of water to the bottom of the pot to prevent the meat from drying out. Place the chops on top and pour over your chosen liquid. You can use chicken or beef broth, or a mixture of cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup.
Finally, cook your pork chops on a low heat setting for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The longer you cook the chops, the more tender they will become. However, slow cooker pork chops can sometimes become too soft and mushy, so keep an eye on them and finish them in a pan if you prefer a firmer texture.
Once your chops are cooked, remove them from the crock pot and set them aside. You can now thicken the cooking liquid by simmering it in a pan to make a gravy. Serve your pork chops with this gravy and your chosen side dishes.
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What to serve with crock pot pork chops
There are several side dishes that go well with crock pot pork chops. Here are some ideas:
Mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a popular choice to serve with crock pot pork chops. You can make them from scratch or use a box or microwave option. They can be served with gravy made from the pork chops or even cream cheese mashed potatoes for a more indulgent option.
Rice
Rice is another option to serve with crock pot pork chops. It can be served with the gravy from the pork chops drizzled over the top.
Noodles
Pork chops can also be served with noodles. Egg noodles, in particular, are a good choice, and they can be served with the gravy from the pork chops.
Vegetables
Vegetables are also a good option to serve with crock pot pork chops. Steamed broccoli, peas, or a green salad are all options that can round out the meal.
Other options
Some other options for serving crock pot pork chops include biscuits, pasta, or a Cesar salad.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook pork chops in a crock pot on high. However, cooking pork chops on high for too long may cause them to dry out. It is recommended that you cook them on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
It takes 3-4 hours to cook pork chops in a crock pot on high.
The best pork chops to cook in a crock pot on high are blade chops, shoulder chops, sirloin chops, or tenderloin chops.
You can add a variety of ingredients to your pork chops when cooking them in a crock pot on high, including vegetables, fruits, potatoes, and sauces such as gravy or cream of mushroom soup.
