There are some recipes that just feel like fall the second the slow cooker lid comes off, and this is one of them. My mom made these apple cranberry pork chops every October when I was growing up, usually on a busy weeknight when everyone wanted something cozy without a lot of fuss. With just four ingredients, you get tender pork chops, sweet-tart fruit, and a sauce that tastes like the best parts of autumn all spooned together.
These pork chops are especially good with mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or simple rice to soak up the fruity sauce. If you want to lean into the fall dinner vibe, serve them with roasted green beans, glazed carrots, or a crisp salad with pecans. Warm dinner rolls on the side are also a great idea for catching every last bit of the apple-cranberry juices.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Apple Cranberry Pork Chops
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 boneless pork chops, about 1 inch thick
2 apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
1 can (14 ounces) whole berry cranberry sauce
1 packet (1 ounce) onion soup mix
Directions
1. Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker, then spread the chopped apples across the bottom.
2. Place the pork chops on top of the apples in an even layer.
3. Spoon the cranberry sauce over the pork chops, then sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly on top.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, or until the pork chops are tender and cooked through.
5. Gently spoon some of the apples and cranberry sauce over the pork chops before serving.
Variations & Tips
Use bone-in chops: Bone-in pork chops work nicely here too, but they may need a little more cooking time. Just make sure they reach a safe internal temperature and stay tender.
Make it sweeter: If your apples are extra tart, stir in a tablespoon or two of brown sugar with the cranberry sauce for a more dessert-like fall flavor.
Add warm spices: A pinch of cinnamon or a tiny dash of ground cloves adds even more cozy flavor without changing the simplicity of the recipe too much.
Best apple choices: Firmer apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala hold up especially well in the slow cooker and give you soft pieces without turning to mush too quickly.
Easy meal prep tip: You can chop the apples the night before and keep them refrigerated in an airtight container. In the morning, all you have to do is layer everything into the slow cooker and turn it on before work.