When September gets busy and the evenings start calling for something cozy, these 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker September Celebration Chops are exactly the kind of dinner that saves the day. Thick-cut boneless pork chops cook low and slow until tender in a simple sweet-and-savory sauce, giving you a comforting meal with almost no hands-on effort. It feels a little special without making extra work, which is honestly my favorite kind of weeknight recipe.
These pork chops are especially good with mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or fluffy rice to soak up the sauce. For vegetables, try roasted green beans, steamed broccoli, or a simple side salad with apples and pecans for an easy early-fall dinner that feels complete.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker September Celebration Chops
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 thick-cut boneless pork chops, about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick
1 packet onion soup mix, about 1 ounce
1 cup apple cider
1 cup sliced apples
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Directions
1. Lightly coat the slow cooker insert with nonstick spray if desired, then place the thick-cut boneless pork chops in an even layer in the bottom.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider, Dijon mustard, and onion soup mix until well combined.
3. Scatter the sliced apples over the pork chops, then pour the cider mixture evenly over everything.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours, until the pork is tender and cooked through.
5. Spoon some of the sauce and apples over the chops before serving. If you want a slightly thicker sauce, remove the chops and simmer the liquid on the stovetop for a few minutes before pouring it back over the meat.
6. Serve hot with mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles and your favorite green vegetable.
Variations & Tips
Make it sweeter: If your family likes a sweeter sauce, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of brown sugar or maple syrup to the cider mixture. It gives the dish a more pronounced fall flavor that works especially well with tart apples.
Best apples to use: Choose firm apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji so they hold their shape better during the long cooking time. Softer apples will still taste good, but they tend to melt more into the sauce.
For easier meal prep: You can mix the sauce and slice the apples the night before, then store them separately in the refrigerator. In the morning, all you have to do is layer everything in the slow cooker and turn it on before work.
Don’t overcook: Thick-cut pork chops are the best choice here because they stay juicier in the slow cooker than thin chops. Check for doneness toward the earlier end of the cooking range if your slow cooker runs hot.
Add a savory touch: If you want to stretch beyond five ingredients once in a while, a handful of sliced onions or a sprinkle of fresh thyme is delicious in this recipe. Both add extra flavor without changing the easy feel of the dish.