Slow-Cooked Sweet and Tangy Pork Chops
Indulge in the mouthwatering flavors of these Slow-Cooked Sweet and Tangy Pork Chops, a delightful dish that fills your home with an irresistible aroma as it simmers all day. Marinated in a savory blend of soy sauce, white wine, and brown sugar, these chops are juicy and tender when served. This recipe is versatile; experiment with various cuts of pork like steaks or roasts, or even use cubes and strips for a delicious stir-fry over fluffy white rice. Perfect for busy families, serve these chops with a fresh salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Adjust the sweetness and spiciness to taste, and for those mindful of sodium intake, low-sodium soy sauce can easily be incorporated.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pork Chops
4 (About 1 inch thick)
Garlic cloves
2 (Minced)
Soy sauce
1/4 cup (Low-sodium is fine)
White wine
1/4 cup (NOT cooking wine)
Brown sugar
2 tablespoons
Crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon (Optional)
Cornstarch
1 tablespoon (For thickening)
Water
1 tablespoon (For cornstarch slurry)
Instructions
1
Spray the insert of the crock pot with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2
Place the pork chops in the crock pot, ensuring they are laid out evenly.
3
In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, soy sauce, white wine, brown sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well until the brown sugar is mostly dissolved.
4
Pour the mixture over the pork chops, ensuring they are well-coated.
5
Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or until the pork chops are tender and easily pull apart with a fork. Note that cooking times may vary depending on your specific crock pot.
6
Once cooked, carefully remove the pork chops from the crock pot and set aside on a plate to keep warm.
7
To thicken the cooking liquid, create a slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and add to the liquid in the crock pot.
8
Turn the crock pot to high and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the liquid thickens. Return the pork chops to the pot and let them warm through before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Slow-Cooked Sweet and Tangy Pork Chops?
They are a tender and juicy dish made by simmering pork chops in a savory blend of soy sauce, white wine, and brown sugar in a slow cooker.
How long does it take to cook these pork chops?
The pork chops should be cooked on the low setting for approximately 6 hours, or until they are tender and pull apart easily.
What thickness of pork chops should I use?
This recipe recommends using pork chops that are about 1 inch thick.
Can I use other cuts of pork?
Yes, this recipe is versatile and works well with pork steaks, roasts, or even cubes and strips for a stir-fry.
How do I thicken the cooking liquid?
Create a slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water, add it to the crock pot, and cook on high for 10-15 minutes.
Can I use low-sodium soy sauce?
Yes, low-sodium soy sauce is a great option for those mindful of their sodium intake.
What type of wine should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of white wine, but specifies not to use 'cooking wine' for the best flavor.
How do I prevent the pork from sticking to the crock pot?
Spray the insert of the crock pot with cooking spray before adding the pork chops.
Is this recipe spicy?
It can be slightly spicy if you include the optional 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
What side dishes go well with these pork chops?
They are delicious served over fluffy white rice, with a fresh salad, or alongside steamed vegetables.
Can I cook this on high instead of low?
The recipe recommends cooking on low for 6 hours for maximum tenderness, but you should adjust time accordingly if using high.
What ingredients are needed for the sauce?
The sauce is a mixture of minced garlic, soy sauce, white wine, brown sugar, and optional red pepper flakes.
How do I know when the pork is done?
The pork chops are done when they are tender and can be easily pulled apart using a fork.
Do I need to mix the sauce before pouring it in?
Yes, combine the garlic, soy sauce, wine, sugar, and pepper flakes in a small bowl until the sugar is mostly dissolved before pouring over the meat.
Can I use this recipe for stir-fry?
Yes, you can use pork cubes or strips and serve the result over white rice for a stir-fry style meal.
What is the purpose of the cornstarch slurry?
The slurry is used to thicken the thin cooking liquid into a rich sauce at the end of the cooking process.
Can I adjust the sweetness of the dish?
Yes, you can adjust the amount of brown sugar to suit your personal taste preferences.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe calls for 2 minced garlic cloves.
Is this a good meal for busy families?
Yes, it is perfect for busy families as it can simmer all day and requires very little active preparation.
Should I remove the pork while thickening the sauce?
Yes, carefully remove the chops and set them aside to keep warm while you thicken the liquid on high heat.
How much water is needed for the slurry?
You only need 1 tablespoon of water to mix with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
Can I use fresh garlic?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 2 cloves of minced garlic.
Is this considered comfort food?
Yes, the savory, sweet, and tangy flavors combined with tender pork make it a classic comfort food dish.
What tags describe this recipe?
Tags include slow cooker, easy dinner, sweet and tangy, crock pot, family meal, and savory.
Can I use bone-in pork chops?
While the recipe mentions 1-inch thick chops, you can use bone-in or boneless, though cooking times may vary slightly.
Is the brown sugar essential?
The brown sugar provides the 'sweet' element of the sweet and tangy profile, though you can adjust the amount used.
How many ingredients total are in this recipe?
There are 8 ingredients total: pork chops, garlic, soy sauce, white wine, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, cornstarch, and water.
Do I need to sear the pork first?
No, the instructions indicate placing the pork chops directly into the prepared crock pot.
What if my sauce doesn't thicken?
Ensure the crock pot is turned to high and allow at least 10-15 minutes after adding the cornstarch slurry.
Is this recipe versatile?
Very! You can experiment with different cuts of pork and adjust the spiciness or sweetness to your liking.