This slow cooker creamy pork chops recipe is an easy recipe that will impress any pork fan. Using simple ingredients, this keto-friendly crockpot pork dish can be served any night of the week. Whether you follow a keto diet or not, the whole family will be sure to love this easy slow cooker recipe!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Slow Cooker Meal: This easy pork chop slow cooker dish is almost entirely hands-off!
- Budget Friendly: No fancy ingredients in this recipe!
- Low in Carbs: This keto pork chop recipe has just 5g net carbs per serving!
- Easy Prep: This pork chop recipe is easy to prep before you leave for work.
These slow cooker pork chops aren't made with any seasoning packet or high carb vegetables, so it's perfect for a keto or low-carb diet. This recipe is great to try for any night of the week. You do not have to have it cooking all day while you are at work. You can make it in the afternoon and let it cook on high for 4 hours and then enjoy. This easy recipe honestly makes the most juicy pork chops! With literally no effort! These are fork-tender pork chops that your family will be raving about! You can even follow this recipe to make keto crockpot pork tenderloin.
Understanding Pork Chops
Pork chops are a versatile cut of pork from the loin of the pig. The loin is a muscle that runs from the shoulder to the rear of the pig. Pork chops can be bought bone-in or boneless. You can use either in this recipe. Boneless pork chops are the same as a bone-in, just with the bone removed and the fat trimmed. Boneless pork chops are leaner because of this. While some people will say that bone-in pork chops have more flavor, personally I don’t have a preference. For this recipe I used boneless but if you use bone-in, you do not need to adjust the cooking time.
Ingredients
- Pork chops (boneless or bone-in)
- Broth (a good quality broth can be used to slow cook the pork chops to perfection)
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Onion powder
- Pepper
- Garlic
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- Thickening agent (arrowroot starch or cornstarch)
- Oil (for searing)
Step-by-Step Instructions: Slow Cooker Method
- Season the Pork Chops: Your first step will be to season pork chops evenly with salt and pepper.
- Sear the Pork Chops (Optional): Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned pork chops and sear a few minutes on each side. This step adds flavor and texture but can be skipped for convenience.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Add broth , Italian seasoning, salt, onion powder, pepper, and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Add Pork Chops: Add the pork chops to the slow cooker.
- Cook: Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Make the Cream Sauce: It’s time to make the cream sauce when there is 30 minutes left in the cooking time. Remove the pork chops and set aside.
- Thicken the Sauce: Remove ½ cup liquid from slow cooker and whisk in xanthan gum until blended.
- Finish: Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese and the thickening agent (if using). Return the pork chops to the pressure cooker until ready to serve.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Instant Pot Method
- Sear the Pork Chops: Set Instant Pot to the sauté setting. When hot, add oil & the pork chops. Sear on both sides, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. You may have to do this two at a time.
- Add Seasoning: Turn off the pressure cooker. Add 1 cup of broth, Italian seasoning, salt, onion powder, pepper, and garlic. Stir to mix well.
- Pressure Cook: Add pork chops to the pressure cooker. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook for 7-10 minutes.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Remove the pork chops & set aside. Turn the sauté. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese and the thickening agent (if using).
- Finish: Return the pork chops to the pressure cooker until ready to serve.
Thickening Agent Options
I also add a slurry as a thickening agent. Cornstarch mixed with water is one option but personally my favorite is arrowroot flour. I use arrowroot starch.
Serving Suggestions
These easy low-carb pork chops are great with many low-carb vegetables! Some of my favorites are this keto potato salad and Instant Pot mashed cauliflower. Even a low-carb pasta dish would pair great with this dish! You could use some of the gravy to place over zoodles or low-carb pasta like Palmini!
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Tips and Tricks
- Meal Prep Tip: Make this on the weekend and store in meal prep container and heat throughout the week!
- Meat Thermometer: You will want to check your pork chops with a meat thermometer the first time you make this so you can get the perfect timing for your specific unit. The combination of the amazing sauce and delicious pork chops is too wonderful to mess up with dried out pork chops. Trust me, it is worth the extra few moments it takes to check the pork chops with your meat thermometer to give you the perfect meal.
- Rest the Pork: Cover with foil and allow to rest.
- Quality of Meat: Like all meat-based dishes, a large part of your success lies in picking the right piece of meat. If there aren’t a lot of pork options on the shelf, or you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to chat with the butcher.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
You may be surprised how many pork chop recipes manage to be full of carbs. There are a few ways that recipes can make a wrong turn here. Other recipes serve their chops in a thick gravy. And even other crock pot pork chop recipes aren’t immune. Many of these suggest adding cream of mushroom soup.
Variations
- Add Vegetables: Next, place the mushrooms and onion in the bottom of a slow cooker. Next, mix the beef broth, tamari, garlic, and seasonings in a medium mixing bowl, then pour on top of he pork chops.
- BBQ Pork Chops: These Crock Pot BBQ Pork Chops are not only easy, but delicious and can actually be made on a weeknight after work!
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto