These Easy Crockpot Smothered Pork Chops with Gravy are a budget-friendly dinner made with simple ingredients and almost no prep. The pork chops cook up tender and juicy in a creamy ranch gravy, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Tips for the Best Smothered Pork Chops
Cooking pork, like these Baked Boneless Pork Chops, is one of my all time favorites for grocery budget hacks. It’s why I have a list of 10 Easy Pork Recipes!
I developed this recipe to be easy and budget-friendly, and have made all the mistakes, so you don’t have to! Here are my top tips to help you make these tender pork chops perfectly the first time.
- Spray the slow cooker well. Do this so the creamy sauce does not stick around the edges while cooking.
- Whisk the cornstarch slurry until completely smooth. Do this before adding it to the sauce to prevent lumps.
- Use the cooking time as a guide. If your crockpot runs hot, use a meat thermometer and cook the pork to 145°F for the best results.
- Cook on low. While you can cook this recipe on high for less time, these pork chops taste best when cooked low and slow. It gives them more to soak in all the gravy goodness.
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
Here is everything you need to make the best pork chops, along with a few substitution recommendations.
- Pork chops (6 – $8.96) – Boneless or bone-in pork chops will work.
- Dry ranch seasoning (1 oz packet – $0.98) – Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes to the ranch seasoning mix for a spicy kick.
- Dried thyme (½ teaspoon – $0.05) – Dried parsley or Italian seasoning will work as a substitute.
- Ground black pepper (½ teaspoon – $0.03) – Fresh ground pepper gives the best flavor.
- Cream of chicken soup (10.5 oz can – $1.28) – Cream of celery soup is a good alternative.
- Cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz can – $1.28) – You can use 2 cans of cream of chicken soup, 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup, or 1 of each.
- Cornstarch (1 Tablespoon – $0.04) – Skip this step for a thinner sauce.
- Water (1 Tablespoon – $0.00) – Exclude the water if you are not making a slurry with the cornstarch.
The recipe cost is calculated based on the required amounts and may vary due to fluctuating grocery prices.
Flavor Variations
- Garlic Herb Ranch: Add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and ½ teaspoon of dried oregano to the ranch seasoning mix for a more herbaceous flavor.
- Lemon Pepper Ranch: Add ½ teaspoon of lemon zest and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper to the ranch seasoning mix for a zesty and peppery twist.
- BBQ Ranch: Add ¼ cup of barbecue sauce to the ranch seasoning mix for a smoky and tangy flavor.
How To Make Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops
Season the pork chops, add the soups, slow cook them in the crock pot, then thicken the gravy and serve with your favorite sides. Let me show you how.
- Spray the inside of the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
- Sprinkle the pork chops with the ranch dressing mix, dried thyme, and pepper.
- Place the pork chops in the crockpot and pour the canned soup over them.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- When the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F, remove it from the crockpot and tent it with foil to keep it warm.
- Make a slurry with the cornstarch and water until smooth.
- Stir the slurry into the sauce, cover, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the sauce reaches the desired consistency.
- Serve the sauce over pork chops with mashed potatoes and vegetables, or with your other favorite sides, for a complete meal.
Crock Pot Pork Chops Recipe FAQs:
This recipe works best when the pork chops have been completely thawed before cooking.
Once the pork chops have an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, they are done cooking. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
Some of my favorites include serving this over Mashed Potatoes, rice, or egg noodles, and alongside some roasted vegetables, Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls, and a Caesar Salad.
Crockpot Smothered Pork Chops
Recipe Cost 12.62 Serving Cost 2.10Equipment
- slow cooker
- Measuring spoons
- whisk
Ingredients
- 6 pork chops boneless or bone-in, about 2 pounds
- 1 oz packet dry ranch dressing and seasoning mix
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
- 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom soup **see notes
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch optional **see notes
- 1 Tablespoon water optional
Instructions
PREP SLOW COOKER:
- Spray the insert of the Crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
SEASON PORK CHOPS:
- Sprinkle pork chops with ranch seasoning, dried thyme, and pepper.
ASSEMBLE:
- Place pork chops in the crockpot.
- Pour soup over pork chops.
COOK:
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, or until pork is fork tender and internal temperature is 145 degrees F.
TENT WITH FOIL:
- Remove from pork crockpot and tent with foil to keep warm.
THICKEN SAUCE:
- To make a thicker sauce, make a slurry with the cornstarch and water until smooth.
- Stir the slurry into the sauce.
- Cover and continue cooking for 3-5 minutes or until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
SERVE:
- Serve sauce over pork chops with mashed potatoes and vegetables.
Notes
Storage Tips
FREEZE: Place the pork chops and sauce in a freezer-safe container or zipper-top bag once cooled. Freeze for 3 months. THAW: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. REHEAT: Reheat in the crockpot for 2 hours on warm. Or, heat in the oven in a greased casserole dish at 350 degrees F for 10-20 minutes.Nutrition
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