Dinner Ideas

Crockpot Brown Sugar Garlic Pork Chops

Introduction

Crockpot Brown Sugar Garlic Pork Chops are a sweet, savory, and melt-in-your-mouth dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Tender pork chops slowly cook in a rich sauce made from brown sugar, garlic, soy sauce, and a touch of Dijon mustard, creating a comforting and flavorful meal with minimal effort.

This recipe transforms simple pork chops into a restaurant-quality dinner with juicy, fall-apart tenderness and a sauce that’s perfect for spooning over mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables. It’s one of those dishes that fills your home with an irresistible aroma while cooking.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s easy, forgiving, and incredibly tasty. Even if you forget about it for an hour or two, the slow cooker does all the work, and the pork chops come out perfectly tender. The balance of sweet brown sugar with savory garlic and soy sauce creates a flavor combination that’s hard to resist.

It’s also versatile—you can serve it over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles, and it always pairs beautifully with fresh vegetables or a crisp salad.

Why This is a Must-Try Dish

  • One-pot slow cooker meal with minimal prep.
  • Juicy pork chops with a delicious sweet-savory garlic glaze.
  • Perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
  • Comforting, hearty, and crowd-pleasing.
  • Pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables.

Preparation & Cooking Time

  • Preparation Time: 10–15 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 4–5 hours on low or 2–3 hours on high
  • Total Time: ~4–5 hours

Servings & Nutrition

  • Servings: 4
  • Calories per Serving: ~380 kcal (depends on pork chop thickness and type)
  • Course: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American Comfort Food

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless pork chops (1-inch thick)
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp salt (optional, adjust for soy sauce)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for optional searing)
  • ½ cup chicken broth or water

Optional Garnish:

  • Chopped fresh parsley
  • Sliced green onions

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare Pork Chops

  1. Pat pork chops dry with paper towels.
  2. Optional: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear pork chops 1–2 minutes per side for extra flavor.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

  1. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, minced garlic, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and chicken broth.

Step 3: Assemble in Crockpot

  1. Place pork chops in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  2. Pour the brown sugar garlic sauce over the pork chops, ensuring they are coated evenly.

Step 4: Slow Cook

  1. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until pork chops are tender and fully cooked.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

  1. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed.
  2. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions.
  3. Serve hot over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles.

How to Serve

  • Serve with steamed green beans, broccoli, or roasted vegetables.
  • Spoon extra sauce over mashed potatoes or rice to soak up the delicious flavors.
  • Pair with a crisp salad for a lighter, balanced meal.

Recipe Tips

  • For best results, use 1-inch thick boneless pork chops. Thinner chops may overcook.
  • Optional searing adds flavor but is not necessary.
  • Do not overcook on high heat; pork chops can dry out if left too long.
  • You can double the sauce if you like extra glaze for serving.

Variations

  • Spicy Version: Add ½ tsp red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce.
  • Honey Garlic Variation: Replace half the brown sugar with honey for a richer, smoother sweetness.
  • Apple Twist: Add 1 cup chopped apples for a fruity complement to the savory pork.
  • Herb Version: Add 1 tsp thyme or rosemary for additional flavor.

Freezing & Storage

  • Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze in freezer-safe containers for 2–3 months.
  • Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave. Add a splash of broth if needed to keep sauce smooth.

Special Equipment Needed

  • Crockpot / slow cooker
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Small bowl for sauce
  • Skillet for optional searing

FAQ

Q1: Can I use bone-in pork chops?
Yes, but increase cooking time by 30–45 minutes for tenderness.

Q2: Can I make this on high?
Yes, 2–3 hours on high will work, but check for doneness to prevent dryness.

Q3: Can I add vegetables?
Yes! Potatoes, carrots, or bell peppers can be added for a complete meal.

Q4: Is it okay to skip searing the pork chops?
Absolutely. The slow cooker will cook them tender, and the sauce will add plenty of flavor.

Q5: Can I prepare ahead of time?
Yes, assemble in the crockpot insert and refrigerate for a few hours before cooking.

Conclusion

Crockpot Brown Sugar Garlic Pork Chops are sweet, savory, and tender, making them a go-to comfort food that requires minimal effort. With a rich, flavorful sauce and melt-in-your-mouth pork chops, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or meal prep.

It’s a must-try recipe for anyone who loves easy, hearty, and flavorful slow cooker meals that taste like they came from a restaurant.

Crockpot Brown Sugar Garlic Pork Chops

Course: Dinner IdeasCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

4

hours 
Total time

4

hours 

15

minutes

Ingredients

  • Main Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless pork chops (1-inch thick)

  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed

  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced

  • ¼ cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)

  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard

  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

  • ½ tsp black pepper

  • ¼ tsp salt (optional, adjust for soy sauce)

  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for optional searing)

  • ½ cup chicken broth or water

  • Optional Garnish:

  • Chopped fresh parsley

  • Sliced green onions

Directions

  • Step 1: Prepare Pork Chops : Pat pork chops dry with paper towels. Optional: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear pork chops 1–2 minutes per side for extra flavor.
  • Step 2: Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, minced garlic, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and chicken broth.
  • Step 3: Assemble in Crockpot: Place pork chops in the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the brown sugar garlic sauce over the pork chops, ensuring they are coated evenly.
  • Step 4: Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until pork chops are tender and fully cooked.
  • Step 5: Finish and Serve: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions. Serve hot over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles.