Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Chops
Description
These Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Chops are tender, juicy, and coated in a sweet-savory glaze made from honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a touch of spice. The slow cooker does all the work, turning simple pork chops into a rich, flavorful main dish perfect for rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles.
Ingredients Pork Chops
- 4–6 pork chops (bone-in or boneless, about 1 inch thick)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp oil (for searing, optional)
🍯 Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 6 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tbsp ketchup (adds depth)
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional for heat)
- 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
🌿 Optional Thickener
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions (Slow Cooker Method)
- Season Pork Chops
- Pat pork chops dry.
- Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Optional Sear (Recommended)
- Heat oil in a pan.
- Sear pork chops 2–3 minutes per side until lightly browned.
- Prepare Sauce
- In a bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, ketchup, vinegar, broth, and seasonings.
- Slow Cook
- Place pork chops in slow cooker.
- Pour sauce over them evenly.
- Cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- Thicken Sauce (Optional)
- Mix cornstarch + water.
- Stir into slow cooker during last 20–30 minutes.
- Serve
- Spoon sauce over pork chops before serving.
Servings
- Serves: 4–6 people
Nutritional Info (Approx. per serving)
- Calories: 320–420 kcal
- Protein: 28–35g
- Carbohydrates: 20–28g
- Fat: 12–18g
- Sugar: 15–20g
(Depends on pork cut and honey quantity.)
Benefits
- High-protein meal for muscle repair
- Budget-friendly ingredients
- Easy one-pot cooking
- Great for meal prep and freezing
- Family-friendly sweet-savory flavor
- Minimal hands-on cooking time
Tips & Tricks
- Searing pork chops improves flavor but is optional
- Don’t overcook on HIGH or chops may dry out
- Use low-sodium soy sauce for healthier version
- Add pineapple chunks for tropical twist
- If sauce is too sweet, add extra vinegar or lemon juice
- Bone-in chops stay juicier than boneless
Q&A
Q: Can I use chicken instead of pork?
Yes, chicken thighs or breasts work well with the same sauce.
Q: Why are my pork chops tough?
They may be overcooked or too lean. Use thicker cuts and cook on LOW.
Q: Can I skip soy sauce?
You can use coconut aminos or tamari as substitutes.
Q: Can I freeze this recipe?
Yes, freeze cooked pork chops with sauce for up to 2–3 months.
Q: Can I make it without honey?
Yes, replace with brown sugar or maple syrup.