Nothing beats coming home to a hearty meal that’s already cooked and waiting, and these pork chops deliver all the cozy flavors you crave. Picture tender, fall-off-the-bone bites drenched in a sticky-sweet maple sauce with a hint of smoky spice. This dish only takes a few minutes of prep, and then your slow cooker does the rest!
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in pork chops (1-inch thick)
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley
Instructions
To start, pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel, which helps them develop flavor while they cook. Season them with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of smoked paprika. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear each side of the chops for a minute or two until they’re lightly golden—this extra step helps lock in their juices.
Next, whisk together the barbecue sauce, maple syrup, remaining smoked paprika, and minced garlic in a small bowl. Transfer the seared pork chops to your slow cooker, then pour the sweet-and-smoky sauce on top. Use a spoon to make sure each chop is evenly coated.
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for about 3 to 4 hours, depending on your slow cooker. You want the pork chops to be fork-tender and to reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
When they’re done, carefully remove the pork chops from the slow cooker onto a serving platter. If you’d like a thicker sauce, you can pour the cooking liquid into a small saucepan and simmer it over medium heat for a few minutes. Drizzle the thickened sauce over the chops and garnish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley.
This dish pairs perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables—anything that can soak up that glossy sauce.
In case you’d like a different spin, switch out the maple syrup for honey or brown sugar, and add a dash of cumin for a Tex-Mex flair. These pork chops are great for busy weeknights or laid-back weekend gatherings, and they’re easy to tailor to different diets by adjusting the sweetness or using a low-sugar barbecue sauce. However you choose to prepare them, you’ll end up with a deliciously comforting meal perfect for feeding a hungry crowd or warming up a smaller family dinner. Enjoy!
Nathaniel Lee is an avid cook, drawing on his decades of home cooking and fine dining experience. He is a contributing chef at Mashed, and his recipes and contributions have been featured in Tasting Table, Edible Arrangements, Insanely Good Recipes, and The Daily Meal.
