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The Beauty of Slow-Cooker Pork Chops
Slow cookers are a game-changer for many home cooks, offering a simple, hands-off method to create tender, flavorful meals with minimal effort. Pork chops in the slow cooker are especially popular in the Southern United States, where they are renowned for their tenderness and great taste.
In this article, we’ll be diving into a delicious, easy-to-follow recipe for barbecue pork chops in the slow cooker, inspired by the flavors of North Carolina.
Why Barbecue Pork Chops in the Slow Cooker?
Pork chops cooked in a slow cooker become incredibly tender, rivaling the texture of traditional smoked pork shoulders. While smoking pork shoulders can take many hours, this crock pot pork chop recipe delivers that distinct barbecue flavor without the huge time investment.
North Carolina is known for its zippy vinegar-based barbecue sauces, also known as “mops.” This recipe features a tangy vinegar barbecue sauce that pairs perfectly with the pork chops, giving you a taste of the Tarheel state right in your own kitchen.
Barbecue Pork Chop Recipe for the Slow Cooker
Let’s dive into the recipe! Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 4 to 6 pork chops (can be bone-in or boneless)
- ¼ cup butter (melted)
- 1 cup catsup
- ½ cup vinegar
- 3 TBS sugar
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ tsp paprika
- A couple of splashes of hot sauce (like Texas Pete from NC or Tabasco Sauce)
Directions:
- Coat a skillet lightly with cooking oil, and brown the pork chops on both sides. Set aside. Note that the pork chops do not need to be fully cooked, as they will continue cooking in the slow cooker.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the melted butter, catsup, vinegar, sugar, salt, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and hot sauce. Mix well to create your barbecue sauce.
- Spread a thin layer of the sauce in the bottom of the crock pot or slow cooker. Place a layer of pork chops on top of the sauce. Continue layering pork chops and sauce, ensuring that each chop is evenly coated.
- Cook on high for one hour, then reduce the heat to low and cook for an additional three hours. If you’re short on time, you can cook the chops on high for two hours instead.
Serving Your Slow-Cooked Barbecue Pork Chops
Serve your delicious, fall-off-the-bone barbecue pork chops with classic Southern side dishes like mashed potatoes and peas, accompanied by dinner rolls for a complete, satisfying meal. The tangy vinegar-based sauce will have your taste buds singing, and the tender pork chops will impress your friends and family.
Conclusion:
This easy barbecue pork chop recipe brings the flavors of North Carolina barbecue to your slow cooker, resulting in a mouth-watering, crowd-pleasing dish. The convenience of using a slow cooker makes this recipe perfect for busy weeknights or when you want a taste of Southern barbecue without spending hours at the smoker. Give this recipe a try, and enjoy the tender, flavorful pork chops that emerge from your slow cooker.
