There is something mighty comforting about pork chops slow-cooked with brown sugar and cinnamon when the weather starts to turn. This kind of recipe feels right at home in a Midwestern kitchen, where simple pantry staples and a dependable slow cooker can turn an ordinary supper into something that smells like Sunday at Grandma’s house. The sweet spice melts down into a rich glaze around the pork, making a humble cut of meat taste special without much fuss at all.
Serve these pork chops with mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or plain white rice to catch every bit of that glossy sauce. On the side, a pan of green beans, roasted carrots, or applesauce makes a fine fall plate, and if you want to round things out for company, warm dinner rolls and a crisp salad do the job beautifully.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pork Chops
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 thick-cut boneless or bone-in pork chops, about 1 inch thick
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup water
Directions
1. Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker if desired, then arrange the pork chops in an even layer at the bottom.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the pork chops.
3. Pour the water around the sides of the pork chops so you do not wash off the sugar topping.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until the pork chops are tender and cooked through and the sugar has turned into a rich glaze.
5. Spoon some of the glaze over the pork chops before serving, and serve hot.
Variations & Tips
Use bone-in chops: Bone-in pork chops stay especially juicy in the slow cooker and bring a little extra flavor to the sauce. Just make sure they fit in a fairly even layer so they cook evenly.
Add a pinch of salt: Even though this is a four-ingredient recipe at heart, a small pinch of salt can help balance the sweetness and bring out the flavor of the pork if your family prefers a less dessert-like glaze.
Make it a little deeper flavored: If you have a minute to spare, browning the pork chops in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker gives the finished dish a richer color and a more savory taste.
Watch the cooking time: Pork chops are leaner than many slow cooker meats, so overcooking can dry them out. Start checking on the early side if your chops are thinner than 1 inch.
Try an apple version: For a fall table, add a layer of sliced apples underneath or around the pork chops. They soften as the chops cook and pair beautifully with the brown sugar and cinnamon.