Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Chops are a delicious dinner idea, perfect for any day of the week! I love tasty, dump-and-go recipes like this one, especially when they taste this good! The slow cooker allows the flavors to meld together over several hours.
Hawaiian Pork Chops bring a taste of the islands to dinner tables with a delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors.
They cook up so tender and flavorful. The sauce is especially divine when served over rice, pasta, or even mashed potatoes. I can't help but drizzle some of the gravy all over everything! You will too.
This slow cooker pork chop recipe was inspired by my slow cooker Hawaiian chicken, Pulled Pork In Oven and glazed Hawaiian pork roll!
Why You Will Love This Hawaiian Pork Chops Recipe
- Everyone Loves It. This dish is always a hit with both kids and adults! This makes it a go-to meal for family dinners or entertaining.
- Simple Ingredients. These tender and juicy pork chops are super easy to make with ingredients you may already have in your pantry.
- Versatile Main Dish. The Hawaiian sauce is both sweet and tangy and it pairs well with a variety of sides including rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or vegetables.
Ingredients
Here's a look at the simple ingredients you need to make Hawaiian pork chops in the slow cooker.
- Pork Chops: You can use bone-in or boneless pork chops. Choose chops that are between a half-inch and 1-inch thick. Most important is that they are all similar in thickness for even cooking. This recipe also works well with chicken breasts or chicken thighs instead.
- Soy Sauce: This ingredient adds depth and umami flavors to the sauce.
- Ketchup or Chili Sauce: Creates the rich base for the sauce. You can also use a combination of tomato paste mixed with a touch of vinegar and sugar to achieve a similar flavor profile if desired.
- Brown Sugar: Complements the pineapple's sweetness and makes a thicker, more luscious glaze. Feel free to use honey instead.
- Pineapple Rings: The fruit and juice are integral to the recipe. It adds a natural sweetness and acidity that tenderizes the pork chops without making the dish overly sweet. Both slices or chunks will work.
- Seasoning: We use minced garlic and ground ginger to infuse the pork with a fragrant and piquant profile and a bit of crushed red pepper flakes adds some heat. These spices are important for achieving the dish's distinctive taste.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This vinegar has a lower acidity and slightly sweet flavor. It's added for a bit of tang to balance out the sweetness. You can also use rice wine vinegar which has a similar mild acidity or red wine or white wine vinegar for a more intense tanginess.
- Onion and Sweet Peppers: Enhances the dish and makes the sauce a bit more robust.
- Corn Starch: A slurry of cornstarch and cold water is used to thicken the sauce, giving it a glossy and luscious consistency.
See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact quantities of each ingredient.
How to Make Hawaiian Pork Chops in the Slow Cooker
Step 1: Combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, chili sauce or ketchup, can of pineapple juice, vinegar, crushed red pepper flakes, minced garlic, and minced ginger in a medium bowl.
Step 2: Sprinkle your onions across the bottom of your slow cooker.
Step 3: Placed seasoned pork chops on top of the onions.
PRO TIP: If all your pork chops don't fit in a single layer, you will need to layer the pork chops. Pour half of the soy mixture over top of the first layer of pork and then add the remaining pork chops on top.
Step 4: Add the bell peppers on top.
Step 5: Pour the soy mixture over the top of the peppers. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6 hours.
Step 6: Mix together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl.
Step 7: Turn your slow cooker up to high, use a spatula to remove the pork chops from your slow cooker, and set them aside. Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce.
Step 8: Cook to thicken the sauce. Return the pork chops to the slow cooker, add the pineapple rings, and allow the pork to warm back up.
Step 9: Serve the pork chops and sauce over rice. Enjoy!
⭐️ Hint: Add pineapple during the last few minutes of cooking to warm through without becoming mushy.
If you love recipes like this one, you may also enjoy our Crunchy Parmesan Pork Chops, Kielbasa In Air Fryer or Oven Baked Bone-In Pork Chops.
Storage
- Storing: Place the cooled leftovers in airtight containers inside your fridge for up to 3 days or freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Preheat the oven to 350° F. Place the pork chops in the pan with the sauce or with 2-3 tablespoons of water or broth, and cover with foil. Reheat in the oven until the meat is heated, about 10 to 15 minutes if using just water or 30 minutes if reheating with the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
These crockpot Hawaiian pork chops are perfect to serve for an easy weeknight dinner but also work as a great meal for guests.
- Enjoy with the Sauce. Serve with rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes covered in the sweet and tangy sauce.
- Veggies: Consider serving with a bowl of sautéed vegetables, Instant Pot asparagus, or this cranberry apple slaw.
Need more ideas? We've got lots of ideas for pork side dishes to help you plan out your meal.
Tips
- Adding the Pineapple. Add it during the last few minutes of cooking to warm through without becoming mushy.
- Remove the Pork Chops. The sauce will thicken up more quickly with the pork chops out of the pot. Once it's thickened you can add them back in to warm up a bit.
FAQ
No, it's not necessary as cooking in a slow cooker allows the flavors to meld together over several hours and will create incredibly flavorful Hawaiian pork chops.
It's not necessary. However, if you prefer to sear them first, heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and then cook the pork chops for 2-3 minutes per side.
Always use a meat thermometer to verify that your pork chops have reached the safe internal temperature of 145°F (62.8ºC).
Recipe Video
Our video for Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Chops is below. Hopefully, you have a moment to take a look!
More Pork Chop Recipes
Do you like pork chops? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Easy Hawaiian Pork Chops (Slow Cooker)
Ingredients
- 4-6 pork chops bone or boneless, ¾-1 inch thick
- 1 cup soy sauce
- ⅔ cups ketchup or chili sauce
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 can (14 oz) pineapple, rings or crushed, not drained
- 2 tblsp garlic minced
- 1 tblsp ginger minced
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tblsp dried crushed red pepper flakes optional, more or less to taste
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 1 large bell pepper green, yellow or red, cored, sliced
- cooking spray
- 3 tblsp cornstarch or potato starch
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Lightly spray your slow cooker with cooking spray. Sprinkle your onions across the bottom of your slow cooker.
- In a medium sized bowl combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, chili sauce or ketchup, can of pineapple juice without pineapple, vinegar, crushed red pepper flakes, minced garlic and minced ginger.
- Before cooking, season the pork chops generously with salt and pepper to taste. If you are cooking more than four pork chops, or your pork chops will not fit across the bottom of your slow cooker place the first or only layer of pork across the bottom of your slow cooker, on top of the onions.
- If you have more than one layer of pork chops pour half of the soy mixture over top of the first layer of pork. Then place your remaining pork chops on top. Sprinkle with peppers and pour remaining soy mixture on top. If your pork chops fit across the bottom of your slow cooker and you only have one layer of pork chops sprinkle peppers on top of your pork and pour the soy mixture all over the top of the peppers.
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6 hours.
- Turn your slow cooker up to high. Using a spatula remove pork chops from your slow cooker and set aside. In a coffee sized cup stir starch and water until starch is totally dissolved. Add to the soy sauce mixture. and stir until combined.
- Once gravy or sauce has thickened return pork to slow cooker, add pineapple rings and turn it off. I do this to warm up the pork chops while I finish preparing everything else.
- Serve pork chops and sauce over rice. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Adding the Pineapple. Add it during the last few minutes of cooking to warm through without becoming mushy.
- Remove the Pork Chops. The sauce will thicken up more quickly with the pork chops out of the pot. Once it's thickened you can add them back in to warm up a bit.
Nutrition
This post was originally published September 2018. It has been updated with new images and content.
℅ Anita Tufano says
OMG Amazing! I love spicy so I used chili sauce over ketchup. I did cut down on the crush red pepper slightly and it was perfect for us. Wonderful flavors Kitchen Divas will be my go to website for more receipes.
Karin and Ken says
I can't thank you enough for taking the time to let me know. You made my day! I'm so happy to have you with us on our food journey! Take care and be well. Karin
Vicky Spangler says
Looks and sounds delicious a must try recipe.
Karin and Ken says
They are delicious! I wish they lasted long enough to get a great picture! Please let me know what you think if you make them. I would love to hear. All the best. Karin