Crockpot Apple Butter Pork Chops
Autumn calls for cozy crockpot dishes, and they don’t get much better than these apple butter pork chops! So easy to prep, perfect for a family dinner, and full of beautiful fall flavors and ingredients, these are just beautiful served over a pile of creamy mashed potatoes. I love the sweet-means-savory combo, and this one has a well-earned place in my regular recipe rotation over the next few months.
Fancy a little more slow cooker inspiration for cozy season? Be sure to also take a look at my crockpot cranberry short ribs, crockpot French onion pot roast, crockpot chicken stew, and crockpot lasagna soup!
Ingredients
I know that many readers prefer a printable recipe card for screen-free cooking, so as always, you’ll find one towards the end of this post! Don’t skip the next few sections though, where I’m sharing more about the recipe and what you need to know.
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Pork chops – I use bone-in pork chops here for extra flavor and tenderness.
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Apple butter – This is the star of the dish. Go for a good-quality one (store-bought or homemade) with cozy spices like cinnamon and cloves.
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Apple cider vinegar – Just a splash helps balance the sweetness of the apple butter and keeps things from tasting too one-note.
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Onion – Sliced thin so it melts into the sauce as it cooks.
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Apples – Use a firm, sweet-tart variety like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Fuji. They hold their shape and add that fresh apple bite that makes this dish feel like fall in a bowl.
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Butter + seasonings – Just a touch of butter for searing, and simple pantry seasonings (salt, pepper, and paprika) to bring it all together.
How To Make Crockpot Apple Butter Pork Chops
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Season the pork chops on both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
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Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter, and give the pork chops a quick sear—just enough to get a little golden color, not to cook them through.
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Transfer the pork chops to your slow cooker and scatter the sliced onion over the top.
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In a small bowl, stir together the apple butter and apple cider vinegar, then pour it right over the pork chops and onions.
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Tuck the apple slices around the pork chops—don’t worry about being precise.
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Pop the lid on and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4, until the pork is tender and everything smells like fall.
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Serve over rice or mashed potatoes and spoon that sweet, savory sauce over the top.
Recipe Notes
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Searing = flavor. That quick browning step adds way more depth than you’d expect and helps lock in all the juices. If you’ve got the time, don’t skip it.
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Not sure if it’s done? Grab your meat thermometer—pork is good to go at 145°F.
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Using thinner pork chops? Shave a little time off the cook—slow cookers can dry out lean cuts if left too long.
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Layer the onions under the pork chops. They add flavor and keep the meat from sticking to the bottom of the crockpot.
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Let it rest. A quick 5-minute rest before serving makes a big difference in keeping the pork juicy and tender.
Substitutions
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No apple butter? Mix applesauce with a little brown sugar and cinnamon—about 1½ cups total—and it’ll do the trick.
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No apple cider vinegar? Regular white vinegar works in a pinch, or even a squeeze of lemon juice for some tang.
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No bone-in chops? Boneless pork chops or thick-cut pork loin are great swaps. Just keep an eye on cook time—boneless cooks a bit faster.
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No fresh apples? Drained canned apple slices will work, or skip them altogether. The apple butter still brings all the cozy fall flavor.
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No butter? Olive oil is totally fine for searing, especially if you’re keeping it dairy-free.
Variations
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Want a little heat? Stir some red pepper flakes or a spoonful of Dijon mustard into the apple butter for a spicy-sweet kick.
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Make it creamy: At the end of cooking, swirl in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of sour cream for a richer, velvety sauce.
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Fall harvest vibes: Add baby carrots, sweet potato chunks, or cubed butternut squash alongside the apples to make it heartier.
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Herb it up: A few sprigs of thyme or rosemary added during the last hour bring a cozy, savory edge.
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Shred it: Let the pork cook until fall-apart tender, then shred it up for sliders, wraps, or sandwiches. A smear of extra apple butter on a soft bun? Game changer. Give it a try!
Crockpot Apple Butter Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 2 pounds bone-in pork chops
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 onion sliced
- 1 ½ cups apple butter
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 apples sliced
Instructions
- Season the pork chops on both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter, and give the pork chops a quick sear—just enough to get a little golden color, not to cook them through.
- Transfer the pork chops to your slow cooker and scatter the sliced onion over the top.
- In a small bowl, stir together the apple butter and apple cider vinegar, then pour it right over the pork chops and onions.
- Tuck the apple slices around the pork chops—don’t worry about being precise.
- Pop the lid on and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4, until the pork is tender and everything smells like fall.
- Serve over rice or mashed potatoes and spoon that sweet, savory sauce over the top.
And so we have apple butter pork chops that basically cook themselves while your house starts smelling like autumn! If you give this one a try, I’d love to know how it turns out. Leave a comment or star rating below—it seriously helps others find recipes that work, and it also helps me to come up with more ideas that you’ll love making at home. You can also tag me in your photos on Instagram @slimmingviolet!
