Slow Cooker Pork Chop & Carrot Dinner
This Slow Cooker Pork Chop & Carrot Dinner is perfect for busy days when you want a hearty meal waiting for you at dinnertime. The pork becomes tender as it slowly cooks with carrots, onions, herbs, and a savory sauce.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 4–6 hours (LOW) or 2–3 hours (HIGH)
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes – 6 hours 20 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4–6
Background
Slow-cooked pork-and-vegetable dinners reflect traditional American home cooking, where inexpensive cuts of meat were transformed into satisfying family meals through long, gentle cooking.
Meals like this are closely associated with comfort food and family-style cooking. The combination of pork, carrots, onions, and gravy is simple, familiar, and especially welcome on cool evenings.
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 4–6 | Bone-in or boneless pork chops |
| 5–6 large | Carrots, peeled and cut into chunks |
| 1 large | Onion, sliced |
| 3 cloves | Garlic, minced |
| 2 cups | Chicken broth |
| 1 can (10.5 oz) | Cream of mushroom soup |
| 1 tbsp | Worcestershire sauce |
| 1 tsp | Paprika |
| 1 tsp | Dried thyme |
| ½ tsp | Garlic powder |
| ½ tsp | Onion powder |
| 1 tsp | Salt |
| ½ tsp | Black pepper |
| 2 tbsp | Olive oil |
| 2 tbsp | Butter |
For Thickening (Optional)
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 tbsp | Cornstarch |
| 3 tbsp | Cold water |
Optional Additions
1½ lbs baby potatoes
1 cup sliced mushrooms
½ tsp dried rosemary
½ tsp Italian seasoning
½ cup frozen peas
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Season the Pork
Pat the pork chops dry. Season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme.
2. Brown the Chops
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the pork chops for about 2–3 minutes per side. Transfer them to the slow cooker.
3. Add the Vegetables
Place the carrots and sliced onion around and underneath the pork chops. Add the minced garlic.
4. Make the Sauce
Whisk together the chicken broth, cream of mushroom soup, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Pour the mixture over the pork and vegetables. Dot the top with butter.
5. Slow Cook
Cover and cook on:
LOW: 4–6 hours
HIGH: 2–3 hours
Cook until the pork reaches a safe internal temperature and the carrots are fork-tender.
6. Thicken the Gravy
For a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with cold water. Stir it into the slow cooker during the final 15–20 minutes of cooking.
7. Serve
Garnish with fresh parsley and spoon the creamy gravy over the pork and carrots.
Description
Tender pork chops, sweet carrots, and onions are slowly cooked together in a creamy, savory gravy. The carrots absorb the delicious sauce while the pork develops rich, comforting flavor.
Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or warm dinner rolls to soak up the gravy.
Nutritional Information (per serving, estimate)
Nutrient Amount Calories 430 kcal Protein 35 g Carbohydrates 20 g Fat 24 g Fiber 4 g Sugar 8 g Sodium 750 mg Values vary depending on pork cut and portion size.
Serving Recommendation
For a complete family meal, serve it with creamy mashed potatoes and green beans, followed by a simple apple dessert.
Embracing Healthful Indulgence
For a lighter version, use lean pork chops, reduced-sodium chicken broth, a lower-sodium soup, and extra carrots. You can also replace some of the creamy sauce with additional broth while keeping plenty of herbs and garlic for flavor.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Pork Chop & Carrot Dinner is the kind of comforting meal that makes weeknight cooking simple. With tender pork, naturally sweet carrots, and rich gravy, it delivers a satisfying homemade dinner without complicated preparation.
