Crock Pot Pork Chops with Tomato Balsamic Sauce
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Crock pot pork chops cook in a tomato, onion, balsamic, Dijon, and white wine sauce, finished with fresh basil. Everything is added to the slow cooker without browning, then cooked low and slow for about 3 hours to keep the lean chops tender.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Simple and Savory
The first time I made this, it was early fall, and I had a lot of tomatoes that had to be used up. I wanted something a little different that was still easy.
Recipe Highlights
- It cooks about 3 hours on low, with no browning
- Made with fresh ingredients: boneless pork chops, diced tomatoes, onion, balsamic vinegar, Dijon, white wine, and fresh basil, and no canned soup.
- Ready when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F, followed by a rest of at least 3 minutes. Check each chop in its thickest part with an instant-read thermometer.
- Pair the sauce with a simple side such as mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or crusty bread, and add a vegetable if you like.
Ingredient Notes for Crockpot Pork Chops
- Boneless pork chops (also sold as boneless pork loin chops), a thick cut works best, about 1 inch thick. Thinner chops cook faster, so check the times below. Bone-in loin or rib chops work too: plan on one per person and a little longer cook time.
- Diced tomatoes, fresh or canned, both work.
- Onion, any kind, sliced thin so it melts into the sauce.
- Balsamic vinegar adds a little sweetness, and the acidity helps keep the pork tender.
- White wine or chicken broth.
- Fresh basil, or ¼ teaspoon dried, added at the start.
- Flour, optional, to thicken the sauce at the end.
How to Make Pork Chops in the Crock Pot
- Layer the sliced onions in the bottom of the slow cooker. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper and set them on top of the onions.
- Whisk the balsamic vinegar, wine, and Dijon together and pour it over the chops. Pour the tomatoes over the top.
- Cover and cook on low for 2½ to 3 hours, until the chops reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F.
- Add the fresh basil and cook 10 to 15 minutes longer.
- For a thicker sauce, move the chops to a plate, whisk a flour and water slurry into the sauce until it thickens, then pour it back over the chops.
How Long to Cook Pork Chops in a Crock Pot
Pork chops are done at 145°F with a 3-minute resting time. I’ve tested this recipe on low with 1-inch boneless chops. The other times below are estimates, and every slow cooker runs a little differently, so start checking with a thermometer at the low end.
- Boneless, 1 inch thick, on low: 2½ to 3 hours
- Boneless, 1 inch thick, on high: about 1½ to 2 hours (estimate)
- Thin boneless chops (about ½ inch), on low: about 1½ to 2 hours (estimate)
- Bone-in, 1 inch thick, on low: about 3 to 3½ hours (estimate)
Can you overcook pork chops in a slow cooker?
Yes. Loin chops are lean, and past 145°F they get dry and stringy no matter how much sauce is in the pot. If you need a few extra minutes before dinner, switch the slow cooker to warm.
Can you use frozen chops to make slow cooker pork chops?
Thaw them in the fridge first. The USDA advises against cooking frozen meat in a slow cooker because it can stay at unsafe temperatures too long.
Make It Your Way
This is an easy recipe to change up. Keep the tomato balsamic sauce, swap the protein, or add vegetables to the pot so dinner is done in one place.
- Protein: Use 1 pound of boneless chicken thighs or breasts instead of pork, and cook until they reach 165°F. Thighs are more forgiving if they go a little long.
- Flavor: For a little sweetness, add a small amount of honey to the sauce. Replace the balsamic with 1½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce and the basil with rosemary for a deeper, more savory version. A few cloves of sliced garlic or a dash of garlic powder with the onions works with either one.
- Vegetables: Carrots and potatoes can go right in the pot. Cut them small (about ¾ inch) and layer them under the onions so they cook in the liquid. Or keep it lighter and serve vegetables on the side.
If you like cooking with a slow cooker, my Slow Cooker Dinner Ideas post is worth a look.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftovers in the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat covered on the stove over medium heat, in a 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or in the microwave.
What to Serve with Crock Pot Pork Chops
Mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread will soak up the sauce. Add green beans or a green salad to round it out.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Simple and Savory
Click on serving size to scale this recipe
Crock Pot Pork Chops with Tomato Balsamic Sauce
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless pork chops about 1 inch thick
- 1 medium onion sliced thin
- 1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes fresh or canned
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ cup white wine
- fresh basil A few sprigs
- 1 olive oil optional, to coat the slow cooker
- 1 tablespoon flour mixed with [1] tablespoons water
Instructions
Instructions
- Lightly coat the slow cooker with olive oil, if using. Layer the sliced onions in the bottom.
- Place the chops on top of the onions.
- Whisk the balsamic vinegar, wine, and Dijon together and pour over the pork chops. Pour the tomatoes over the top.
- Cover and cook on low for 2½ to 3 hours, until the pork reaches 145°F.
- Add the basil and cook 10 to 15 minutes longer.
- Optional: move the pork chops to a platter. Whisk the flour slurry into the sauce until it thickens, then pour the sauce over the chops.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
Sign Up for Easy Recipes Straight in Your In-Box!
