Ultimate Slow-Cooked Pork Chops in Savory Onion Gravy
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with these slow-cooked pork chops, bathed in a rich and savory onion gravy. This recipe uses a crockpot to transform bone-in blade-cut pork chops into tender, flavorful delights that practically melt in your mouth. The combination of crispy bacon, sweet onions, and aromatic garlic infuses the meat with robust flavor. Perfectly paired with creamy mashed potatoes, this dish is sure to impress family and friends. Enjoy the ease of a slow-cooked meal that brings the essence of home-cooked goodness to your table, inspired by Cook's Country, July 2008.
N/A
Servings
600
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
bacon
4 slices (chopped fine)
pork chops
6 slices (bone-in blade cut, about 3/4 inch thick)
salt
to taste
pepper
to taste
yellow onion
3 (halved and sliced into 1/2 inch moons)
light brown sugar
2 teaspoons
water
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
thyme
2 teaspoons (minced)
low sodium chicken broth
3 cups
soy sauce
1 tablespoon
bay leaves
2
cornstarch
1 tablespoon
cider vinegar
1 tablespoon
parsley
1 tablespoon (minced)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet over medium heat, fry the chopped bacon until crispy and lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
2
Raise the heat to high until the skillet is smoking. Meanwhile, pat the pork chops dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Sear three chops in the hot skillet until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the seared chops to the slow cooker. Repeat this step with the remaining pork chops.
3
Pour off all but 1 teaspoon of the bacon fat from the skillet. Add the sliced onions, 1 teaspoon light brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 cup water to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan and cook over medium-high heat until the onions are soft and translucent, about 6 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and thyme, cooking for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
4
Pour the onion mixture over the pork chops in the slow cooker. In the same skillet, combine the chicken broth, soy sauce, and the remaining tablespoon of light brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then add the bay leaves. Pour the broth mixture over the onions in the slow cooker.
5
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for approximately 8 hours, until the pork is very tender and flavorful.
6
When ready to serve, reheat the reserved bacon in a large saucepan until it crisps up. Remove the cooked pork chops to a serving platter and discard the bay leaves. Pour the cooking liquid through a mesh strainer into the saucepan, transferring the solids to a blender with 1 cup of the strained liquid. Blend until smooth and stir back into the remaining liquid in the saucepan.
7
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the remaining 2 tablespoons of water and stir into the blended sauce. Cook over medium heat for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Add the cider vinegar and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper to taste.
8
To serve, pour the rich gravy over the pork chops, sprinkle with the crisp bacon and fresh parsley, and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
30
Fat
30
Carbs
45
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the full name of this recipe?
The recipe is the Ultimate Slow-Cooked Pork Chops in Savory Onion Gravy.
What type of pork chops are best for this dish?
This recipe recommends using 6 bone-in blade-cut pork chops, approximately 3/4 inch thick.
How long do the pork chops cook in the slow cooker?
The pork chops should be cooked on low for approximately 8 hours until very tender.
What is the calorie count for a serving of these pork chops?
Each serving contains 600 calories.
How much protein is in this recipe?
This dish provides 45 grams of protein per serving.
How many grams of fat are in this meal?
There are 30 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content?
The dish contains 30 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What role does bacon play in this recipe?
Four slices of bacon are fried to provide rendered fat for searing and serve as a crispy topping.
How long should I fry the bacon?
The chopped bacon should be fried over medium heat for about 8 minutes until crispy.
How many onions are required?
The recipe calls for 3 yellow onions, halved and sliced into 1/2 inch moons.
Why should the pork chops be seared before slow cooking?
Searing for 3 minutes per side until golden brown helps lock in flavor and adds texture.
What ingredients make up the gravy base?
The gravy is made from chicken broth, soy sauce, light brown sugar, onions, garlic, and thyme.
How is the sauce thickened?
The sauce is thickened by blending solids with some cooking liquid and adding a cornstarch slurry.
What is the cornstarch to water ratio for the slurry?
Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water.
What kind of broth is used?
The recipe specifies 3 cups of low sodium chicken broth.
Is sugar used in this recipe?
Yes, 2 teaspoons of light brown sugar are used to enhance the savory onion mixture.
What aromatic herbs are included?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of minced thyme and 2 bay leaves.
How much garlic is needed?
You will need 3 minced garlic cloves.
What is added at the very end to adjust the seasoning?
One tablespoon of cider vinegar is added to the sauce along with salt and pepper to taste.
What are the recommended garnishes?
The dish is finished with the reserved crisp bacon and 1 tablespoon of minced fresh parsley.
What should I serve these pork chops with?
They are perfectly paired with creamy mashed potatoes.
What is the source inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by Cook's Country from July 2008.
How much water is needed in total?
A total of 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of water is used.
How long do the onions cook in the skillet?
The onions are sautéed for about 6 minutes until soft and translucent.
What should I do with the bay leaves before serving?
The bay leaves should be discarded after the slow cooking process is complete.
How do I prepare the solids for the sauce?
Strain the cooking liquid and put the solids into a blender with 1 cup of the liquid, then blend until smooth.
How much soy sauce is required?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of soy sauce.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 15 ingredients listed for this recipe.
Do I need to pat the meat dry?
Yes, patting the pork chops dry with paper towels is essential for a good sear.
Should I cook this on a high or low setting?
The instructions specifically recommend the low setting for approximately 8 hours.