Savory Apple Dijon Crock Pot Pork Chops

🕒 Prep: 20 min
🔥 Cook: 7 hours
🍽 Serves: 4
★★★★★
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Looking for a hearty, no-fuss meal that brings together sweet and savory flavors? These Savory Apple Dijon Crock Pot Pork Chops are just the ticket. Perfect for a cozy dinner, they’ll fill your home with a mouthwatering aroma and your belly with satisfying goodness.

Savory Apple Dijon Crock Pot Pork Chops

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Ingredients for Savory Apple Dijon Crock Pot Pork Chops

Ingredients for Savory Apple Dijon Crock Pot Pork Chops

Pork chops are the star of the show, bringing a hearty and juicy element to the dish. The olive oil helps in browning them, adding depth of flavor. A sprinkle of salt and black pepper enhances and balances the overall taste.

The onion and garlic provide a savory base note, while unsweetened apple juice introduces a natural sweetness that makes the dish pop. Dijon mustard adds a nice tang and a bit of heat.

Apple cider vinegar gives a subtle zing, offsetting the sweetness, and soy sauce adds a touch of umami. A hint of brown sugar rounds out the sauce, while dried thyme, cinnamon, and nutmeg introduce warm, aromatic spices.

Why This Savory Apple Dijon Crock Pot Pork Chops Works

Browning the pork chops in the skillet at the start gives them a thin, cooked surface that holds in some juices during the long crock pot time. As they sit in the slow cooker for hours, the steady low heat slowly breaks down the tougher parts of the meat, so the chops end up tender instead of chewy.

While everything cooks, the apple juice, Dijon mustard, vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar stay warm and gently bubble around the pork. Over time, that liquid soaks into the meat and into the onions. The sharp taste from the mustard and vinegar softens, and the sweetness from the apple juice and sugar becomes more noticeable.

As the hours go by, the sliced onions soften and almost melt into the sauce. The thyme, cinnamon, and nutmeg spread through the liquid, so by the time it is done, the sauce tastes both savory and a little warm and spiced. Spoon that over the pork and it coats the meat and the mashed potatoes or rice instead of running off like plain juice.

Savory Apple Dijon Crock Pot Pork Chops Tips & Tricks

  • Make sure to brown the pork chops. It’s worth the extra step for flavor.
  • If your sauce is too thin at the end, remove the lid and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes to thicken.
  • For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.

Mistakes To Avoid

Letting the pork chops cook way past 7 hours on low can leave them dry and stringy instead of tender. The meat keeps tightening and squeezing out moisture in the crock pot, so it ends up tough and chalky around the edges, even though it’s sitting in plenty of liquid.

Skipping the browning step in the skillet often leads to pale, flat-tasting chops with a thin, watery sauce. Without that seared surface, the meat doesn’t hold its shape as well and can fall apart into the liquid, and the sauce stays lighter and less rich in color and body.

Pouring in sweet apple juice instead of unsweetened makes the sauce turn overly sweet and syrupy. The Dijon, vinegar, and soy sauce can’t balance it out, so the liquid ends up tasting like dessert and the spices like cinnamon and nutmeg start to feel out of place.

Adding the onions and garlic straight to the crock pot without sautéing leaves them firm and sharp. They soften only a little in the slow cooker and can float around as half-cooked slices, and the sauce stays thinner and less mellow.

Equipment Used:

Crock Pot, Skillet, Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

  1. 4 bone-in pork chops, approximately 1-inch thick
  2. 2 tablespoons olive oil
  3. 1 teaspoon salt
  4. 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  5. 1 large onion, sliced
  6. 2 cloves garlic, minced
  7. 2 cups unsweetened apple juice
  8. 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  9. 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  10. 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  11. 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  12. 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  13. 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  14. 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Step-by-step Instructions

  1. 1. Season pork chops with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown pork chops on both sides. Transfer to a crock pot.
  2. 2. In the same skillet, add sliced onions and garlic, sautéing until onions are translucent. Add to the crock pot.
  3. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together apple juice, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, thyme, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour over pork chops and onions in the crock pot.
  4. 4. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until pork chops are tender.
  5. 5. Serve pork chops with sauce over mashed potatoes or rice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use boneless pork chops?
Yes, but they might cook faster, so keep an eye on them to avoid drying out.
What if I don’t have apple juice?
You can substitute with chicken broth or even apple cider if you have it on hand.

Serving Ideas for Savory Apple Dijon Crock Pot Pork Chops

These pork chops are delightful served over creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy white rice, which soak up the flavorful sauce beautifully. A side of roasted green beans or a fresh garden salad complements the meal nicely, adding some crunch and color.

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This recipe is for informational purposes only. Always follow proper food safety practices, cook foods to safe internal temperatures, and store leftovers appropriately. Results may vary.