Slow Cooked Italian Pork Chops
Slow Cooked Italian Pork Chops are a simple yet flavorful way to prepare tender, juicy pork with minimal effort. This slow cooker recipe uses Italian salad dressing mix to infuse the meat with a delicious spice blend. With three ingredients and a hands-off cooking method, it’s an excellent choice for busy weeknights or meal prepping.
Italian-style slow cooker pork chops bring bold seasoning and tender texture to the table with just a few ingredients. The simplicity of this dish makes it easy to pair with a variety of sides, whether you’re serving it with mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables.
When I make these slow-cooked Italian Pork Chops, I get rave reviews from the family, just like with my Easy Slow Cooked Italian Chicken recipe. The pork turns out so tender, no knife needed! Serving the gravy over slow cooker mashed potatoes and adding a side of honey roasted carrots completes the meal for us.
If you like pork, you may enjoy Oven Baked Pork Chops, Stove-Top Stuffed Pork Chops, and my personal favorite, Sweet and Sour Pork. You can’t go wrong with adding any of those easy recipes to your dinner lineup.
Slow Cooked Italian Pork Chops
Crock pot pork chops cook slowly with the Italian salad dressing mix and water, allowing the flavors to develop and infuse into the meat. The spice blend serves as both a marinade and seasoning, bringing out the best in the pork. For a richer finish, the cooking juices can be thickened into a savory gravy to complement the dish.
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Timesaving Tips and Variations
Here are some ways to save time with simple adjustments when preparing this recipe, along with some tasty variations.
- For a quicker cooking time, sear the pork chops in a hot skillet for a few minutes per side before transferring them to the slow cooker.
- To minimize cleanup, use slow cooker liners.
- Consider adding vegetables like sliced onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms directly to the slow cooker with the pork chops for even more flavor.
- Substitute the dry dressing packet and water with 1 cup of bottled Italian dressing for a faster, ready-to-pour option.
- For a creamy variation, stir in a can of cream of mushroom soup during the last hour of cooking.
- You can use bone-in pork chops, just extend the cooking time by 30–60 minutes if needed.
These suggestions offer practical ways to adapt the recipe to your schedule and tastes. Whether you’re short on time or want to mix things up, these tips deliver practical solutions.
What Goes with Pork Chops?
A well-rounded meal starts with the right side dishes, and these pork chops pair beautifully with a variety of options. Whether you’re looking for something hearty or light, there are plenty of ways to complement the flavors.
- Easy Yeast Rolls from Scratch
- Smashed Roasted Garlic Rosemary Potatoes
- Roasted Green Beans with Fried Onions
- Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan Cheese
- Instant Pot Buttered Potatoes with Garlic and Parsley
No matter how you serve them, these Italian dressing pork chops work with classic comfort foods or simple, wholesome sides. Feel free to mix and match based on what you have on hand or what sounds good at the moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ingredients Needed to Make this Crockpot Pork Chops Recipe
This crockpot recipe comes together effortlessly with just a few ingredients, creating a flavorful and tender dish. Every ingredient plays a role in bringing out the rich taste while keeping prep simple.
Key Ingredients and Their Purpose
- Italian salad dressing mix – This dry mix acts as a shortcut seasoning, providing a blend of herbs, spices, and tangy notes. If you prefer a milder taste, opt for a low-sodium version.
- Water – Helps distribute the seasoning evenly throughout the pork and creates a flavorful cooking broth. If you want extra richness, chicken broth can be used instead.
- Black pepper – A simple way to add depth without overpowering the dish. Freshly ground black pepper works best for bringing out the natural flavors of the pork.
- Cornstarch (optional) – If you like a thicker sauce, cornstarch is used to turn the cooking juices into a savory gravy. Simply whisk it with water or some of the slow cooker liquid before adding it back to the dish.
This ingredient list keeps things simple yet effective, allowing for flexibility based on your personal preferences or pantry staples.
You’ll only need a few basic kitchen tools for this recipe. Your slow cooker does most of the work. A mixing bowl and whisk come in handy for blending the seasoning before pouring it over the pork. Nothing fancy, just common items to keep it simple.
Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer, Stainless Steel (CPSCVC60LL-S), Ideal for Portable Cooking
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How to Cook Pork Chops in the Slow Cooker
Season both sides of the chops with ground black pepper and place in the bottom of the slow cooker.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the salad dressing mix and water until fully combined. This helps the seasoning distribute evenly rather than clumping. Slowly pour the mixture over the pork chops.
Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 4-6 hours. Cooking on low prevents the pork from drying out, keeping it tender and juicy. If using thicker pork chops, lean toward the longer end of the cooking time. Avoid lifting the lid frequently, as this releases heat and slows down the cooking process.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, carefully remove 1 cup of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker. In a small bowl, whisk it with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch until smooth. Stir the slurry back into the slow cooker, cover, and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.
Need a dessert to go with this dinner? Try this Homemade Peach Upside-Down Cake Recipe or 3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Cherry Cobbler. Both would be delicious to serve after dinner.
Slow Cooked Italian Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork chops trimmed of visible fat
- 1 packets of DRY Italian salad dressing,
- 2 cups of water
- pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Season pork chops with pepper.
- Place pork chops in the bottom of crockpot.
- Mix the packet of Italian salad dressing with the water and pour over the prok chops.
- Cook on low for about 4 – 6 hours (or until pork chops are done).
- If desired, you can take about a cup of the juices and mix it with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Pour back into the crockpot, give it a stir and let it thicken up for a wonderful gravy.
- Serve over mashed potatoes.
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Enjoy!
