🍎🥩 Crockpot Apple Butter Pork Chops
Looking for an easy slow cooker dinner that’s cozy, flavorful, and perfect for fall? These Crockpot Apple Butter Pork Chops are the ultimate combination of tender pork chops and sweet, spiced apple butter.
The pork chops slowly cook in a rich apple butter sauce until tender and coated in a delicious sweet-and-savory glaze. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, this easy Crockpot pork chop recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, Sunday dinners, and cozy family meals.
If you love the combination of apples, warm spices, and savory pork, this slow cooker recipe is one you’ll want to make again and again.
Why You’ll Love These Crockpot Apple Butter Pork Chops
- 🍎 Sweet and savory flavor
- 🥩 Tender, juicy pork chops
- 🫕 Easy slow cooker preparation
- ⏰ Minimal hands-on cooking
- 🍂 Perfect for fall and winter
- 👨👩👧 Family-friendly
- 💰 Simple, affordable ingredients
- 🍽️ Great for weeknight dinners
- ❤️ Cozy homemade comfort food
- 🧼 Easy cleanup
Ingredients
- 4–6 boneless or bone-in pork chops
- 1 cup apple butter
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
How to Make Crockpot Apple Butter Pork Chops
Step 1: Prepare the Pork Chops
Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels.
Season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
For extra flavor, you can quickly sear the pork chops in a hot skillet with olive oil for about 2 minutes per side. This step is optional, but it adds a beautiful browned flavor.
Step 2: Make the Apple Butter Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the apple butter, chicken broth, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and cinnamon.
The mixture should be smooth and glossy.
The apple butter provides the sweet apple flavor, while Dijon mustard adds a little tanginess to balance the sweetness.
Step 3: Add Everything to the Crockpot
Place the seasoned pork chops into the slow cooker.
Pour the apple butter mixture evenly over the pork chops.
Try to coat each piece with the sauce.
Step 4: Slow Cook
Cover and cook on:
LOW for 4–6 hours
or
HIGH for 2–3 hours
Cooking times vary depending on the thickness of the pork chops and your slow cooker.
Avoid cooking them much longer than necessary because lean pork chops can become dry when overcooked.
Step 5: Finish the Sauce
Once the pork chops are cooked, carefully transfer them to a serving plate.
Stir the sauce in the bottom of the Crockpot.
For a thicker glaze, transfer the sauce to a small saucepan and simmer it for several minutes until slightly reduced.
Step 6: Serve
Spoon the warm apple butter sauce over the pork chops.
Serve immediately with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green beans, or your favorite side dishes.
What Do Apple Butter Pork Chops Taste Like?
These slow cooker apple butter pork chops have a wonderful sweet-and-savory flavor.
The apple butter provides a rich apple taste with warm spice notes, while Dijon mustard adds a subtle tanginess. Garlic, onion, paprika, and brown sugar make the sauce deeper and more savory.
The finished pork chops are tender and coated in a flavorful glaze that’s especially delicious with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
The Secret to Tender Crockpot Pork Chops
The most important thing is to avoid overcooking the pork.
Pork chops are lean, so they don’t need endless hours in the slow cooker.
Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the pork. Whole cuts of pork should reach 145°F (63°C), followed by a short rest.
Using thicker pork chops can also help produce a juicier result.
Boneless vs. Bone-In Pork Chops
Both options work well.
Boneless Pork Chops
Boneless chops are convenient and easy to serve. Choose thicker cuts when possible.
Bone-In Pork Chops
Bone-in chops can provide extra flavor and tend to be more forgiving during cooking.
Either option works beautifully with the apple butter sauce.
Tips for the Best Apple Butter Pork Chops
Choose Thick Pork Chops
Very thin pork chops can cook quickly and become dry. Thicker chops are better suited to slow cooking.
Don’t Skip the Apple Butter
Apple butter has a concentrated apple flavor and warm spices that make this recipe different from ordinary apple pork chops.
Balance the Sweetness
Dijon mustard is an easy way to balance the sweetness of the apple butter and brown sugar.
Sear for Extra Flavor
Browning the pork chops before slow cooking isn’t required, but it can add extra savory flavor.
Check Temperature
Use a meat thermometer instead of relying only on the clock.
Can I Use Homemade Apple Butter?
Absolutely!
Homemade apple butter works beautifully in this recipe.
If your apple butter is already very sweet, you can reduce or omit the brown sugar.
Can I Use Applesauce Instead?
You can, but the flavor will be different.
Apple butter is much more concentrated and has a deeper apple flavor. If using applesauce, consider adding extra cinnamon and adjusting the sweetness.
Easy Variations
Apple Cinnamon Pork Chops
Add a little extra cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg for a warmer fall flavor.
Maple Apple Pork Chops
Replace some of the brown sugar with pure maple syrup.
Garlic Herb Apple Pork Chops
Add dried thyme and rosemary for a more savory flavor.
Spicy Apple Butter Pork Chops
Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes for a sweet-and-spicy combination.
Apple Onion Pork Chops
Add sliced onions to the slow cooker for extra savory flavor.
Apple Butter Pork Tenderloin
Use pork tenderloin instead of pork chops and adjust the cooking time according to the size of the cut.
What to Serve with Apple Butter Pork Chops
These pork chops pair perfectly with classic comfort-food sides.
Try serving them with:
- 🥔 Mashed potatoes
- 🍠 Sweet potatoes
- 🥬 Green beans
- 🥕 Roasted carrots
- 🌽 Corn
- 🥦 Steamed broccoli
- 🍎 Roasted apples
- 🥗 Simple green salad
- 🍞 Dinner rolls
- 🥔 Roasted potatoes
Mashed potatoes are especially delicious because they soak up the warm apple butter sauce.
How to Store Leftover Pork Chops
Allow leftovers to cool promptly and transfer them to an airtight container.
Refrigerate within 2 hours and use within 3–4 days.
Store the pork and sauce together when possible to help keep the meat moist.
Reheat gently until hot throughout.
Can You Freeze Apple Butter Pork Chops?
Yes.
Allow the pork chops to cool completely before placing them in a freezer-safe container.
Freeze with some of the sauce to help protect the meat from drying out.
For best quality, use within about 2–3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these pork chops without browning them?
Yes. This recipe is designed to be easy, so searing is completely optional.
Can I use bone-in pork chops?
Yes. Bone-in pork chops work very well in this Crockpot recipe.
Can I use pork loin chops?
Yes. Pork loin chops can be used, although cooking time may vary depending on their thickness.
Is apple butter the same as applesauce?
No. Apple butter is much more concentrated and has a thicker texture and deeper apple flavor than applesauce.
Can I make this recipe less sweet?
Yes. Reduce the brown sugar and choose an apple butter that isn’t heavily sweetened.
What temperature should pork chops reach?
Whole cuts of pork should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), followed by a brief rest.
Crockpot Apple Butter Pork Chops Recipe Card
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4–6 hours on LOW
Total Time: About 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Ingredients
- 4–6 pork chops
- 1 cup apple butter
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Pat pork chops dry.
- Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Optional: Sear pork chops in olive oil for about 2 minutes per side.
- Whisk apple butter, chicken broth, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and cinnamon.
- Place pork chops in the slow cooker.
- Pour the apple butter mixture over the pork.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours.
- Check that the pork reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Transfer pork chops to a serving plate and let rest briefly.
- Stir the sauce and spoon it over the pork.
- Serve warm with your favorite sides.
Final Thoughts
These Crockpot Apple Butter Pork Chops are an easy and comforting dinner that brings together the best flavors of tender pork and sweet, warmly spiced apples.
The slow cooker makes preparation simple, while the apple butter creates a rich sauce that’s delicious over the pork and whatever sides you serve alongside it.
Whether you’re looking for an easy fall dinner, a cozy Sunday meal, or a simple slow cooker pork chop recipe, this dish is an excellent choice.
Save this recipe for your next cozy Crockpot dinner! 🍎🥩🍂
SEO Keywords
Primary Keyword: Crockpot Apple Butter Pork Chops
Secondary Keywords:
apple butter pork chops, slow cooker apple butter pork chops, Crock Pot pork chops, slow cooker pork chops, apple pork chops recipe, easy Crockpot pork chops, fall pork chop recipes, sweet and savory pork chops, apple butter recipes, easy slow cooker dinner, Crockpot pork dinner, pork chops with apple butter, easy weeknight pork recipe
Meta Description:
These easy Crockpot Apple Butter Pork Chops are tender, juicy, and coated in a sweet and savory apple butter sauce. Perfect for an easy fall dinner.