This slow cooker 4-ingredient apple cranberry pork chops recipe is exactly the kind of fall dinner that earns an immediate recipe request at a potluck. The combination of pork chops, apples, and cranberry sauce cooks down into a sweet-tart, savory dish that tastes like you put in far more effort than you actually did. It is ideal for busy weekdays, casual family dinners, or whenever you want something cozy simmering away while you handle the rest of life.
Serve these pork chops with mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or rice to soak up the extra cranberry-apple sauce. Roasted green beans, glazed carrots, or a simple salad on the side balance the richness nicely, and warm dinner rolls make it feel especially comforting on a chilly evening.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Apple Cranberry Pork Chops
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 thick-cut boneless or bone-in pork chops
1 can (14 ounces) whole berry cranberry sauce
2 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 packet (1 ounce) onion soup mix
Directions
1. Lightly grease the slow cooker insert, then arrange the sliced apples in an even layer across the bottom.
2. Place the pork chops on top of the apples, fitting them in a single layer as much as possible.
3. Spoon the cranberry sauce over the pork chops, then sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly across the top.
4. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the pork chops are tender and cooked through and the apples are soft.
5. Spoon the sauce and apples over the pork chops before serving, and serve hot with your favorite side dish.
Variations & Tips
Use bone-in or boneless: Either works well here, but thicker chops hold up best in the slow cooker and are less likely to dry out. If your pork chops are on the thinner side, start checking for doneness a little earlier.
Make it a little sweeter: If you like a sweeter sauce, use a sweet apple variety like Honeycrisp or Fuji. Tart apples give the dish more contrast, while sweeter apples mellow the cranberry flavor.
Add a savory touch: A small sprinkle of black pepper or a few fresh thyme leaves can add extra depth without complicating the recipe. It is an easy way to give the sauce a more savory fall flavor.
Meal prep tip: You can peel and slice the apples the night before and store them in the refrigerator. In the morning, just layer everything into the slow cooker and let it do the work while you get through a busy day.
Serving idea: If the sauce seems a little thin at the end of cooking, remove the lid for the last 20 to 30 minutes if your slow cooker runs hot. That helps the sauce thicken slightly and cling better to the pork chops.