Slow Cooker Chinese Style Pork Chops

Name: Slow Cooker Chinese Style Pork Chops
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 240 min
Ingredients: 4-6 pork chops (bone-in or boneless or you can use pork roast); 1 onion, sliced (sliced); 1 cup ketchup; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 1/2 cup soy sauce; 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed); 2 tablespoons garlic (minced); 2 teaspoons ground ginger; cooking spray

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These Chinese pork chops cook up in the slow cooker for an easy hands-off meal the whole family will love! Throw everything into your slow cooker so these Asian pork chops can cook throughout the day. The results are tender fall apart slow cooker pork chops with a terrific gravy and an overall flavor that speaks volumes!

Overhead photo of Slow Cooker Chinese Style Pork Chops served on a black square plate with rice and peas. The rice and pork chops are topped with gravy.

I really love how tender the slow cooker makes the pork. All you need to prepare is a couple of side dishes and you’ve got an entire meal with very little effort! How amazing is that?

This pork chop recipe was inspired by another slow cooker pork recipe I love cooking! It tastes amazing when served with fried rice, a stir-fried vegetable, and some crispy egg rolls or cheesy wontons.

Ingredients

Slow cooker pork chops are made with mostly pantry staple ingredients that you may already have or you can easily get them at your local grocery store.

Pork chops: I prefer making this recipe with bone-in pork chops. They’re a little cheaper and the bone adds more flavor and moisture when making perfectly tender fall-apart pork chops.
Aromatics: This Chinese pork chops recipe uses onion, garlic, and ginger for the first layer of flavors.
Gravy: A combination of ketchup, chicken broth, soy sauce, and brown sugar are mixed together to add flavor to your pork chops while they cook.

How to Make Chinese Pork Chops

Here's an overview with images of how to make the best Chinese pork chops. Check the recipe card for more detailed instructions.

In a large bowl combine ketchup, broth, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger and pour over top of the pork chops.

Mixing the marinade for chinese pork chops.

Marinade to make chinese style pork chops mixed in a measuring cup.

Place the pork chops in the bottom of your slow cooker. Layer the sliced onions all over the top and then pour the sauce over the chop of the pork and onions.

Turn your slow cooker to low heat and cook for 3-4 hours for pork chops. When they are ready, the pork chops should be fork tender.

Overhead photo of a slow cooker full of Slow Cooker Chinese Style Pork Chops. The pork chops are bathed in the homemade gravy.

TOP TIP: Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chops. For best results, check the doneness using a meat thermometer!

Substitutions and Variations

This is another versatile recipe so if you're looking to change things up, here are some ideas!

Use another cut of pork. You can also make this recipe with pork roast. This gives you the freedom to save a little money by buying what is on sale at the grocery store! I do love a good bargain. Just be sure to adjust the time to 5-7 hours when preparing the roast.
No ketchup? You can use tomato paste instead of ketchup. This swap makes a less sweet sauce.
Don't have chicken broth? You can use another type of broth such as beef or vegetable or you can use bouillon mixed with water instead.
Swap the brown sugar. For best results, I suggest using honey or maple syrup instead of white sugar.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this Manchurian Chicken recipe.

Equipment

You will only need a few simple tools to cook this slow cooker pork recipe.

Slow Cooker or Multi-Function Cooker with a slow option
Measuring cups and spoons
Knife and cutting board

Storage

Leftovers: Allow the pork chops to cool completely. Then store in an airtight container along with the juices. When stored properly leftovers will last for up to five days in the fridge or three months in the freezer.

Reheat: To reheat the pork chops with sauce, you can use a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat until the meat and sauce are completely warmed through. You can also place everything in a baking pan and cover it with foil. Heat at 350° F for about 20 minutes or until the chops are hot.

Very closeup overhead photo of a plate full of Slow Cooker Chinese Style Pork Chops. The pork chops are served with a side of white rice and peas. The rice and pork chops are topped with a homemade gravy.

Expert Tips

Making Chinese style pork chops is easy but here are a couple of tips to make sure things go smoothly!

Make sure the pork chops are fully thawed before cooking in the slow cooker.
Move the pork chops around in the slow cooker while cooking so they all cook evenly and are covered with juice. This prevents any pieces from drying out.
The pork chops should be covered completely with the sauce mixture to cook up juicy and moist.
Using a pork roast? Don't forget it will need to cook longer!
Serve up Chinese pork chops topped with the sauce.

FAQ

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this Chinese pork recipe.

What types of pork roasts work in the slow cooker?

You can use pork tenderloin, pork loin, or pork butt roast. Just keep in mind that pork tenderloin and loin contain more muscle and less fat so they may not fall apart easily though they can still be quite tender.

Can I double this recipe in the slow cooker?

Yes, you can but it depends. The key is to not overfill your crock pot. For best results, use a large slow cooker and fill it NO more than two-thirds full. Also, you may need to cook the pork chops longer since there will be double the amount of meat in the slow cooker. It will help to rotate the pork chops from the top to the bottom periodically during cooking.

What is the secret to making tender pork chops?

A marinade and a slow method of cooking are the two things that always result in tender pork chops. This recipe has both and makes the best-tasting pork chops every time.

Closeup photo of a plate full of Slow Cooker Chinese Style Pork Chops, white rice and peas.

More Slow Cooker Pork Recipes

Do you like cooking pork in the slow cooker? Here are some recipes you may also like to try