Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Chops are the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it dinner with almost no prep time required. The sauce combines BBQ sauce, apricot jam, and Italian dressing, with the dressing adding a surprising depth and tanginess that makes the flavors pop. Best of all, the slow cooker delivers tender, juicy pork chops every time.
Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Chops Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Main Course
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 2-3 hours on High or 4½-6 hours on Low in the slow cooker.
- 🍴 Servings: 4-6 servings
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Sweet, tangy, smoky barbecue with zesty Italian dressing and fruity apricot notes.
- 🍚 Best Served With: Mashed potatoes, rice, buttered noodles, or roasted vegetables to soak up the sauce.
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Yes, combine everything in the slow cooker insert ahead of time, refrigerate overnight.
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This dinner is almost too easy, which is exactly why it's been in my weekly rotation for years. No matter how many new recipes I try, I always come back to this one because it's such an easy and delicious meal.
It's perfect for those days when I want a homemade dinner but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Some more simple slow cooker dinners to try are this French onion chicken and slow-cooked beef curry.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's only 5 ingredients: You can make flavorful and tender BBQ pork chops in the slow cooker with just 5 simple ingredients. Great food doesn't always need to be complicated!
- No pre-cooking or extra prep: There's no need to sear the pork or cook anything in advance. All the components go straight into the pot.
- It's family-friendly: Kids and adults alike enjoy this pork chop recipe. It's sweet, tangy, and a little smoky. It's perfect as a family weeknight dinner.
- It's a versatile recipe: This pork pairs so well with a variety of side dishes, so you can turn it into a different meal every time you serve it.
Ingredients
Everything you need to make the best BBQ pork chops in the crock pot is listed below!
- BBQ sauce: I love a good, bold, and smoky BBQ sauce to complement the Italian dressing, but you can use any brand and variety that you enjoy. A great homemade version, if you want a touch of spice, is this hot honey BBQ sauce.
- Italian dressing: Store-bought is perfect here, and you can go with any brand you like. Just skip the creamy Italian dressing because it won't bring the acidity and bright flavors needed in this recipe.
- Apricot jam: I really enjoy the apricot flavor with the other sauce ingredients, so it's by far my favorite flavor to use. It's the secret weapon to making the sauce feel more like a glaze.
- Pork chops: One-inch bone-in pork chops are ideal for tenderness and flavor, but boneless can be used, too.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Swap the jam: Get creative and try another jam flavor like blackberry, raspberry, or even orange marmalade.
- Try it with chicken: Make this recipe with chicken thighs instead! They may take slightly longer to cook, so keep a meat thermometer handy.
- Add hot sauce: Bring the heat and add your favorite hot sauce. If you enjoy spice, try this scotch bonnet hot sauce!
How to Make BBQ Pork Chops in the Crockpot
Before you get started, slice your onions and measure the ingredients for the sauce mixture so it's all ready when you need it!
Step 1: Layer the onions and pork chops. Start by layering the sliced red onions on the bottom of the slow cooker, and then placing the pork chops on top with minimal overlap.
Step 2: Prepare the sauce mixture: Combine all the sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk until well incorporated and smooth.
Step 3: Pour the sauce into the pot. Next, pour the sauce mixture all over the top of the pork chops.
Step 4: Cook and serve. Now you can cover the pot and cook the pork on low for 4-6 hours. Serve hot over crockpot rice!
Expert Tips
- Combine the sauce ingredients separately: I like to mix the sauce in a separate bowl before adding it to the pork chops to ensure everything is well combined. This ensures all the flavors are well distributed.
- Use a meat thermometer: If you're unsure if the pork is cooked properly, use a thermometer. The thickest part of the pork should reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Layer the ingredients properly: It's important to lay the onions on the bottom of the crockpot and place the pork chops on top. This keeps the pork from steaming on the bottom and allows the juices and flavors of the pork to infuse into the onions.
- Broil for a crust on the outside: An optional step is to broil the chops in the sauce for a couple of minutes. I love doing this because you get some crispy texture and caramelization of the sauce that just takes it to restaurant quality.
- Storing the leftovers: Place any extra chops and sauce into an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
This honey BBQ pork roast is another of my favorite BBQ pork recipes to make in the crockpot.
Serving Suggestions
- Side dishes: A classic side dish for BBQ pork is mac and cheese, and I love the creaminess of this cream cheese mac and cheese with the tangy sauce. If you want a tasty veggie side, you can't go wrong with southern collard greens with ham hocks.
- Bread and cornbread: Crusty bread and Hawaiian rolls are always great choices, or you can make gluten-free cornbread, too.
- Leftover ideas: One of my favorite ways to repurpose the leftovers is to make sandwiches or sliders with cranberry apple coleslaw!
Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Chops Recipe FAQs
Of course, and I often do. Just ensure that they aren't too thin. Pork chops that are less than an inch thick will take less time to cook and not give the flavors in the sauce enough time to develop.
If you're not a fan of Italian dressing or you just don't have it on hand, no problem! Try any vinaigrette-style dressing or just use 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. If you have the ingredients to whip up a homemade dressing, this hot honey vinaigrette works well if you don't mind a little spice.
Yes, you can. Cook these apricot BBQ pork chops in the slow cooker on high for 2-3 hours. Just keep in mind that they won't be as tender as they would be when cooked on low heat.
Yes! Once fully cooked, transfer the pork into a freezer-safe container and keep it frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before you reheat them.
The microwave works in a pinch, but it can dry them out. For the best results, I recommend placing them in a covered skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth for moisture.
More Delicious Pork Chop Recipes
Do you like pork chop recipes? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Chops
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups barbecue sauce, store bought or homemade
- 1 cup Italian salad dressing
- 1 cup apricot jam
- 1 small onion, purple, sliced
- 4-6 pork chops loin or center cut, bone or boneless, 1 inch thick - 4-6
Instructions
- Place your sliced onions and then pork chops in your slow cooker.
- In a medium sized bowl combine barbecue sauce, Italian salad dressing and apricot jam.
- Pour over your pork chops.
- Cover and cook for 2-3 hours on High or for 4 ½-6 hours on Low.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Whisk the sauce together before pouring it over the pork chops. This helps evenly distribute the flavors throughout the dish.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The thickest part of the pork chop should register 145F before serving.
- For the most tender pork chops, cook on low. If you're short on time, you can cook them on high for 2-3 hours, but the meat may not be quite as tender.
Beverly says
Do you have to use apricot jam?
Karin and Ken says
No you can use whatever kind of jam you enjoy! We’ve used raspberry, apple, orange marmalade or blackberry jam and loved the results. Taste the mixture before you add it to slow cooker and decide if it needs more or less of any ingredient. Hope you enjoy this easy recipe as much as we do! All the best. Karin
Cathy says
I have this recipe in our rotation and use it often. So easy. Thx for sharing ❤️
Karin and Ken says
I’m so glad you enjoy it. It’s definitely delicious! Thank you for letting me know. All the best. Karin