Pork chops or boneless pork ribs simmer with cranberries, onion and apples to create a delicious dish flavored with balsamic vinegar. Try this easy and delicious crock pot pork chops recipe.
Busy Nights Demand Easy Dinners
As summer turns to fall the sun sets earlier and the days grow shorter. It certainly feels like the days are shorter at the Bren Did home… and it has nothing to do with the autumnal equinox!
Fall always means my days get BUSY. The kiddos are back at school and college classes are in full swing (I teach communication studies). Add in an assortment of sports and after school activities and the days are packed!
What’s For Dinner?
The topic I hate most on busy days? DINNER.
The conversation on the way home from swim practice always turns to the MOST important things… “What’s for dinner?” tops the list. By the time the day is over we’re all starving. If I don’t pre-plan our meal it’s all too easy to turn into a fast food restaurant for take out.
To spare my family the sodium and additives of fast food, I prepare dinner in my slow cooker several days a week. It does the hard work while I drive everyone to swim practice and science club. Then, just when food is most needed, a home cooked dinner is waiting on my kitchen counter.
Crock Pot Pork Chops
My favorite part about this recipe? It’s dice and go; cut up the ingredients and add them to the crock pot. No pre-browning or pre-cooking necessary.
The recipe works great with lots of pork cuts: pork chops, country style pork ribs, or even pork tenderloin. Adjust the cooking time to make sure the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees.
Sweet and Tangy Dish
Crock pot pork chops combine the delicious flavor of cranberries and apples, the perfect seasonal fruit for fall and winter. It’s one of our favorite combos: tender pork with juicy apples and tart cranberries. It is delicious served with mashed potatoes (or sweet potatoes), rice, or noodles.
The recipe is naturally quite tart due to the balsamic vinegar and cranberries, add 1/4-1/2 cup of brown sugar to enhance the natural sweetness of the apples and make the cranberries less sour. I use 1/4 cup if I am cooking a pound of pork chops and up the amount as the amount of meat is increased.
Red and Green Garnish
I garnish the pork with a bit of parsley, diced scallions, or chives. This step is purely for presentation and does not change the taste. You can also serve a green salad or vegetable on the side. I love the contrast of the red and green colors on the dinner table.
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Boneless pork chops or country style pork ribs simmer with cranberries, onion and apples to create a delicious dish flavored with balsamic vinegar. Try this easy and delicious slow cooker recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 cups white onion (quartered and separated)
- 1.5–2.5 lbs thick cut pork chops or county style ribs (boneless)
- 1/4–1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4–1/2 cup brown sugar (optional)
- 1/2 cup apple juice or apple cider
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2–4 cups apple slices (½ inch thick)
Instructions
- Lightly oil your crock pot to make cleanup easier. Place onions in the bottom of the crock pot.
- Layer cranberries over onions.
- Layer pork over cranberries.
- Combine balsamic vinegar and apple juice, pour over pork. (For a milder flavor combine the vinegar with brown sugar and apple juice then pour over pork). Salt and pepper pork lightly.
- Cook for 4-6 hours on low. *
- Add apples and cook until tender (about 40 minutes). Pork should have a minimum internal temperature of 145 °F
- Remove pork, apples, cranberries and some onions to a serving platter. Use an immersion blender to puree sauce left in crock pot and serve alongside the pork chops.
- Salt and pepper to taste and serve with rice, mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes.
Notes
*Please note, all crock pots cook at a slightly different rate. Adjust cooking time if your slow cooker is fast or slow.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
Keywords: Crock Pot Pork with Cranberries and Apples, pork and apples
More Easy Crock Pot Recipes
I love crock pot dinners that require little to no prep. They are perfect for busy days and help keep healthy eating on track. Try these other easy crock pot recipes that are sure to become family favorites:
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Amy
December 13, 2018 at 4:08 pmHas anyone tried this with an Instant Pot? And…a frozen vs unfrozen pork tenderloin? I get that the temp needs to reach safety but what settings were used successfully?
Bren
December 14, 2018 at 9:53 amAmy, I’ve never made it in the Instant Pot. Let me know if you try.
stephanie
March 14, 2017 at 8:45 amThis recipe is now a family favorite! We love it, thanks!
★★★★★
Bren
March 14, 2017 at 9:34 amSo glad your family enjoys it too!
Danica
January 22, 2017 at 11:56 amWould this work adding more vegetables? Having for example a layer of cut up sweet potatoes, celery , carrots, onions, etc and placing the pork chops on top?
Thanks!
Bren
January 22, 2017 at 2:27 pmDanica, I’ve never made it with other vegetables so I’m not sure how that would work. Let me know if you try. -Bren
Judy
May 24, 2016 at 2:46 pmCan this recipe be frozen? I’m cooking for two so I would like to freeze half. I wasn’t sure about the onions and apples.
Bren
May 24, 2016 at 3:10 pmI think they should be fine, a little more tender when reheated but still tasty.