If you’re looking for an easy dinner that tastes like pure homemade comfort food, these 5-Ingredient Crockpot Butter Smothered Pork Chops are a recipe you’ll want to keep close.
Tender pork chops slowly cook in a rich, creamy, buttery onion gravy until they’re packed with savory flavor. With just five simple ingredients, this crockpot dinner is incredibly easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights, Sunday dinners, or any time you’re craving a hearty comfort-food meal.
The best part is that you don’t need to spend hours standing over the stove. Simply layer the ingredients in your slow cooker, cover it, and let the crockpot do the work.
Serve these buttery pork chops over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or fluffy rice, and don’t forget plenty of gravy.
Why You’ll Love These Crockpot Pork Chops
There are plenty of reasons this easy pork chop recipe is a family favorite.
Only 5 ingredients: The short ingredient list makes grocery shopping and preparation simple.
Easy crockpot dinner: Most of the cooking happens without hands-on work.
Rich and creamy gravy: The buttery mushroom-onion sauce is the perfect complement to pork.
Comfort food classic: This is the kind of hearty dinner that feels warm and familiar.
Perfect for busy days: Get everything into the slow cooker, then let dinner cook while you take care of the rest of your day.
Easy to customize: Serve it with your favorite potatoes, noodles, rice, or vegetables.
Ingredients
You only need five main ingredients:
- 2 pounds boneless pork chops, about 3/4-inch to 1-inch thick
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
That’s all you need for the basic recipe.
The butter adds richness, the onion provides savory sweetness, the cream of mushroom soup creates the creamy gravy, and chicken broth helps bring everything together.
How to Make 5-Ingredient Crockpot Butter Smothered Pork Chops
Step 1: Prepare the Crockpot
Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray if desired.
This isn’t required, but it can make cleanup easier.
Step 2: Add the Onion
Spread the thinly sliced yellow onion across the bottom of the slow cooker.
As the onions cook, they’ll become soft and flavorful while absorbing the buttery gravy.
Step 3: Add the Pork Chops
Arrange the pork chops over the onions.
Try to keep them in a single layer if your slow cooker allows it. Slight overlapping is fine if necessary.
Step 4: Add the Butter
Cut the butter into several pieces and distribute it evenly over the pork chops.
As it melts, it will combine with the broth and creamy soup to create a rich sauce.
Step 5: Make the Gravy
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and chicken broth.
Mix until the ingredients are well combined.
Pour the mixture evenly over the pork chops.
Step 6: Cook
Cover the crockpot with the lid.
Cook on:
LOW: 3–4 hours
HIGH: About 2–3 hours
Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the pork chops and your particular slow cooker.
Because pork chops are relatively lean, avoid cooking them significantly longer than necessary.
Check the thickest chop with an instant-read thermometer. Pork is safe at 145°F (63°C), followed by a 3-minute rest.
Step 7: Rest and Serve
Carefully remove the pork chops from the crockpot and let them rest for at least 3 minutes.
Stir the creamy onion gravy before serving.
Spoon plenty of sauce over each pork chop and serve immediately.
Tips for Tender Crockpot Pork Chops
Choose thick pork chops
Thicker chops are generally easier to keep juicy in the slow cooker.
Boneless pork chops around 3/4-inch to 1-inch thick are a good choice.
Don’t overcook
This is one of the most important tips.
Pork chops don’t need the extremely long cooking times that pork shoulder requires. Once they reach 145°F, they’re ready to rest.
Use unsalted butter
Unsalted butter gives you more control over the salt level because condensed soup and broth can already contain sodium.
Keep the gravy
Don’t discard the cooking liquid.
The creamy buttery gravy is one of the best parts of the recipe.
Let the pork rest
After cooking, give the pork at least three minutes to rest before serving.
Should You Brown the Pork Chops First?
You can, but it’s completely optional.
If you want additional browned flavor, quickly sear the pork chops in a hot skillet before adding them to the crockpot.
However, if your goal is a quick 5-ingredient crockpot dinner, skip the searing and add the pork directly to the slow cooker.
The recipe will still be flavorful and comforting.
How to Get Extra-Rich Gravy
For a thicker, richer gravy, remove the pork chops once they’re finished and stir the cooking liquid thoroughly.
If the gravy is thinner than you prefer, transfer it to a saucepan and simmer gently until it reduces.
You can also use a small cornstarch slurry, although that would add another ingredient to the original five-ingredient recipe.
What to Serve With Butter Smothered Pork Chops
These pork chops pair beautifully with classic American comfort-food sides.
Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes are probably the perfect match.
Pour the buttery mushroom gravy over the pork and potatoes for an incredibly comforting combination.
Egg Noodles
Buttered egg noodles are another excellent choice because they catch all the creamy sauce.
White Rice
Rice provides a simple base for the rich gravy.
Green Beans
Steamed or roasted green beans add freshness and color to the plate.
Roasted Carrots
Sweet roasted carrots balance the savory gravy nicely.
Dinner Rolls
Serve warm rolls on the side for soaking up every last bit of sauce.
Easy Variations
The basic recipe uses five main ingredients, but you can customize it when you don’t need to keep the ingredient count exact.
Add Mushrooms
Fresh sliced mushrooms are a natural addition to the creamy mushroom gravy.
Add Garlic
A little fresh minced garlic can give the sauce extra depth.
Add Fresh Herbs
Thyme, parsley, or rosemary can add a fresh finish.
Add Dijon Mustard
A small amount of Dijon mustard can provide a little tang and balance the richness of the butter.
Add Sliced Onions
For extra onion flavor, use additional yellow onions or a combination of yellow and sweet onions.
Can I Use Bone-In Pork Chops?
Yes.
Bone-in pork chops can be used, but they vary in thickness, so the cooking time may change.
Use an instant-read thermometer to check the thickest portion.
The pork should reach 145°F (63°C), followed by a 3-minute rest.
Can I Use Cream of Chicken Soup?
Yes.
Cream of chicken soup can replace cream of mushroom soup if that’s what you have available.
The gravy will have a slightly different flavor but will remain creamy and savory.
Can I Add Potatoes?
Absolutely.
Baby potatoes or chopped Yukon Gold potatoes can be added to make the meal more substantial.
However, additional ingredients may change the cooking time and sauce consistency.
Can I Use Pork Tenderloin?
Pork tenderloin is a different cut from pork chops and cooks differently.
For the best results with this recipe, stick with pork chops.
If you substitute tenderloin, monitor the internal temperature carefully because it can cook faster than thicker pork chops.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow leftover pork chops and gravy to cool before transferring them to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for 3–4 days.
Keeping the pork with some of the gravy helps maintain moisture.
How to Reheat
Reheat gently.
Place the pork chops and gravy in a covered skillet over low heat.
If the gravy has thickened, add a small splash of chicken broth and stir.
You can also microwave individual servings in short intervals.
Avoid overheating the pork because it can become dry.
Can You Freeze Crockpot Pork Chops?
Yes.
Cool the pork and gravy completely before transferring them to a freezer-safe container.
Freeze for up to about 2–3 months for best quality.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my crockpot pork chops tough?
Overcooking is a common reason.
Pork chops are lean and don’t need the long cooking time required for tougher cuts such as pork shoulder.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but unsalted butter is preferred because the condensed soup and broth may already contain salt.
Can I use pork loin instead?
You can, but pork loin is a different cut and will require different cooking considerations.
Pork chops are recommended for this recipe.
How do I know when pork chops are done?
Check the thickest portion with an instant-read thermometer.
Pork should reach 145°F (63°C), followed by a 3-minute rest.
Can I make this recipe ahead?
Yes. Cook the pork chops and gravy, refrigerate them, and gently reheat when you’re ready to serve.
How can I make the gravy thicker?
Remove the pork chops and simmer the gravy separately until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Recipe Card
5-Ingredient Crockpot Butter Smothered Pork Chops
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3–4 hours on LOW
Total Time: About 3 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Category: Dinner
Method: Crockpot / Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless pork chops, 3/4-inch to 1-inch thick
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
Directions
- Lightly coat the crockpot with cooking spray if desired.
- Spread the sliced onion across the bottom.
- Arrange the pork chops over the onions.
- Cut the butter into pieces and place it over the pork chops.
- Whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and chicken broth.
- Pour the mixture over the pork chops.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for about 2–3 hours.
- Check the thickest pork chop with an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove the pork when it reaches 145°F (63°C) and let it rest for at least 3 minutes.
- Stir the gravy and spoon it generously over the pork chops before serving.
Final Thoughts
These 5-Ingredient Crockpot Butter Smothered Pork Chops are everything you want from an easy comfort-food dinner: simple ingredients, minimal preparation, tender pork, and plenty of creamy buttery gravy.
Serve them over mashed potatoes with green beans on the side, or pile the pork over buttered egg noodles for an especially cozy meal.
With just five main ingredients and the convenience of the slow cooker, this is the kind of simple family dinner you’ll be happy to make again and again.