These slow cooker 4-ingredient apricot preserves pork chops are the kind of dinner that feels almost too easy for how comforting and flavorful it turns out. It is the sort of simple Sunday meal that earns a permanent place in the family rotation, with sweet apricot preserves melting into a sticky glaze around tender pork chops while the slow cooker does all the work. For busy fall evenings, this recipe is especially nice because it uses pantry staples, takes just a few minutes to assemble, and delivers that cozy homemade feeling without much effort.
Serve these pork chops over fluffy rice, buttery mashed potatoes, or egg noodles to catch every bit of the sweet-savory sauce. For balance, add a simple green vegetable like roasted green beans, steamed broccoli, or a crisp side salad. Warm dinner rolls or cornbread also fit right in if you want to make it feel like a full Sunday supper.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Apricot Preserves Pork Chops
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 thick bone-in pork chops
1 cup apricot preserves
1 packet dry onion soup mix, about 1 ounce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker insert with nonstick spray if desired, then arrange the pork chops in an even layer inside the cooker.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the apricot preserves, dry onion soup mix, and Dijon mustard until smooth and well combined.
3. Spoon the apricot mixture evenly over the pork chops, covering the tops and letting some sauce fall around the sides.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the pork chops are tender and cooked through.
5. Carefully spoon some of the sauce over the pork chops before serving, then plate with rice, mashed potatoes, or your favorite side.
Variations & Tips
Use boneless chops: Boneless pork chops work too, but they can cook a little faster and may not stay quite as juicy as bone-in. Check them on the earlier side so they do not overcook.
Add a savory note: If you like a less sweet sauce, add a small splash of soy sauce or apple cider vinegar to the glaze. It gives the apricot preserves a little more balance without making the recipe complicated.
Thicken the sauce: For a thicker glaze, remove the cooked pork chops and transfer the sauce to a small saucepan. Simmer it on the stove for a few minutes until it reduces and becomes even more spoonable.
Meal prep tip: You can mix the preserves, onion soup mix, and mustard the night before and keep it covered in the fridge. In the morning, all you need to do is layer the pork chops, pour over the sauce, and start the slow cooker.
Make it a freezer starter: Freeze the raw pork chops and sauce together in a freezer bag for an easy prep-ahead dinner. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before adding everything to the slow cooker.