Easy Crock Pot BBQ Pork Chops

These tangy Crock Pot BBQ Pork Chops are slow-cooked to perfection and turn out tender and juicy. Enjoy these easy BBQ Pork Chops in your slow cooker any time of the year—they only need 2 ingredients and take minutes to prep! Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

We think this is one of the easiest crockpot recipes out there. It takes only minutes to prep, and the slow cooker does all the work. That's what makes this Crockpot BBQ Pork Chop recipe a year-round favorite.

The other great thing is that you can use whatever type of BBQ sauce you prefer or have on hand. We often use Sweet Baby Ray's or a Trader Joe's Variety, but any will work.

Sure, pork chops in the oven are great, but we love the convenience of this recipe!

If you want to become an expert in slow cooking, check out the best Crockpot Tips and Tricks. We also have tons of Healthy Crockpot Recipes and Chicken Crockpot Recipes!

Jump to:

• The Best Chops for the Slow Cooker
• Ingredient Notes
• Step By Step Instructions
• Should You Brown Before Slow Cooking?
• Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Onions
• How Long Does Pork Take to Cook in Slow Cooker?
• What to Serve with Your Pork Chops
• More Delicious Slow-Cooker Recipes
• Helpful Tips & Tricks
• Recipe

The Best Chops for the Slow Cooker

Here are some guidelines for the best slower cooker pork chops that are never hard and dry.

1. Don't use thin-cut pork chops. They'll turn out too dry no matter how diligently you watch them. If you have boneless, thin chops, cook them on the stovetop or bake them.

2. Choose thicker cuts of chops that have some fat marbling. These will still cook fast in your slow cooker. Ours is done in about 2 hours. Depending on how hot your crockpot runs, you may want to check them sooner. 

3. Bone-in chops are your best choice for slow cooking. The truth is, the more marbled and fatty your pork chops are, the more tender they will be after slow cooking. The bone helps insulate the meat, so it stays moist and delicious. You can always cut off some of the excess fat if you want to keep the recipe as healthy as possible. 

If you have the choice, go for a bone-in blade or shoulder chops. These can be hard to find, so grab them when you can and freeze them for later use. It's a great way to help manage your family budget.

Ingredient Notes

For the basic recipe, you only need two main ingredients:

• 4-6 Bone-in Pork Chops - thick cut
• BBQ Sauce - any kind you love
• Salt and Pepper - optional

Other Add-Ins:

• Pineapple - it makes an excellent, sweet addition to your pork.
• Potatoes - add a few Yukon gold potatoes to the bottom of the crock for a heartier meal.
• Apricot Preserves - liven up your recipe with a little bit of apricot jam!
• Honey - for a little added sweetness that pairs perfectly with the BBQ sauce.
• Garlic Powder - a sprinkle on your chops before you place the BBQ sauce on tops is tasty.

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1 - ADD SAUCE TO CROCKPOT

First, spread a thin layer of barbecue sauce on the bottom of your slow cooker. 

Step 2 - ADD CHOPS and COVER WITH BBQ SAUCE

Next, add pork chops and then top with additional barbecue sauce. Continue layering pork chops and sauce, saving some sauce to pour over the top of the chops' final layer. 

Step 3 - COOK ON LOW

Finally, cover your crockpot, set your slow cooker to low, and cook for 2-4 hours. If you want to cook on high, check your chops after 2 hours. We prefer them cooked on low.

We recommend using an instant-read meat thermometer to check if they are done. According to the FDA, the proper internal temperature for cooking pork is 145 degrees F. 

This little kitchen device can be a lifesaver!

Tip: We like to take our pork chops out at 140 degrees and let them continue to cook with the residual heat and reach 145 degrees F. so we don't overcook them.

The reality is that crockpot pork chops don't come out tasting like crockpot pulled pork because they are a much leaner cut of meat. If they are not overcooked, your Crock Pot Pork Chops in BBQ Sauce are still tender and delicious but adjust your expectations accordingly. 

Tip: Prep all your ingredients the night before, take the recipe out of the fridge while you make breakfast, and then turn it on low and let it simmer to perfection! Never put take your crock from the refrigerator directly to the slow cooker. It will crack. Let it warm up first!

Should You Brown Before Slow Cooking?

Generally, browning your pork chops before putting them in the slow cooker is recommended, like in our popular recipe for Crockpot Pork Chops with Gravy. It gives them a rich, caramelized flavor. 

However, this slow cooker pork chop recipe is incredibly easy because you do not need to brown your chops before putting them in the crockpot. You can place raw pork directly into the slow cooker with no problem.

They simmer in the BBQ sauce and come out tasting sensational.

Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Onions

You can also make this slow cooker BBQ pork chop recipe with onions. We love onions! If you'd like to use them, simply slice a whole onion and place them in the crockpot under your pork chops to add another dimension to your meal. 

How Long Does Pork Take to Cook in Slow Cooker?

This is an excellent question, and we can say it depends. Even though we use a thick-cut chop, we find this recipe cooks quite quickly in the slow cooker, so 2 hours on low seems to be what works for us. 

There is quite a variance in slow cookers, so your pork may take longer. That's why it's always best to use an instant-read meat thermometer to know for sure when your meat is done.

What to Serve with Your Pork Chops

There are so many choices for serving with this crockpot meal, but here are our favorites.

• Mashed Potatoes
• Cole Slaw
• Green Salad
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Green Beans
• Steamed Broccoli
• Brown Rice

More Delicious Slow-Cooker Recipes

• Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken
• Healthy Crockpot Buffalo Chicken
• Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

We love cooking pork in the crockpot! You'll definitely want to try our easy recipe for Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Gravy; they are amazing. So are our Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops and Crockpot Pulled Pork!

Helpful Tips & Tricks

• Using an instant-read meat thermometer ensures you always have perfectly cooked, fork-tender meat. We like this one because it lists the correct temperatures for cooking meat right on the device.
• Avoid opening the crockpot lid too many times; this will affect the cooking time.
• This pork chop recipe is made in a 6-quart slow cooker.

Note: All slow cookers cook differently, so cooking times are always a basic guideline. Recipes should always be tested first in your slow cooker and time adjusted as needed.

We Love Hearing How It Goes!

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