San Francisco Pork Chops {Slow Cooker}
These tender San Francisco pork chops, cooked in a rich, flavorful sauce, are insanely easy to make thanks to the slow cooker!
I am frantically trying to share with you all of my slow cooker/soup recipes I have in queue before the weather turns warmer (which for some has probably already happened but for me, alas, it has not).
I couldn’t let another minute slide before offering up this amazing slow cooker recipe for you to make.
Although on second thought, I’m realizing that I actually use my slow cooker more in the summer months than I do in the winter.
Not having to heat up my entire house by turning on the oven is a huge plus. Slow cooker for the win ALL year long!
Probably one of the best pork recipes I have for the slow cooker, these San Francisco pork chops in question bathe in a simple, rich sauce that has an ending depth of flavor that belies the every day ingredients.
Thanks to the quick cornstarch slurry in the final steps, the sauce becomes more like a glaze that envelopes the tender pork in a delicious, mouth-watering gravy.
Please make this. And please, brown the pork chops before adding to the slow cooker. And please, don’t omit the red pepper flakes. You may reduce them to a pinch, but the dish needs them. And please try not to lick your plate when you are done eating.
Ok, I’m done with the pleases.
And for those of you that are wanting an Instant Pot conversion for these San Francisco pork chops – I haven’t made this recipe in the IP yet, but I’m guessing about 15-20 minutes high pressure (natural release for 10 minutes and then quick release remaining pressure) should be a good starting point.
These are perfect with this brown rice and a nice green veggie, like roasted broccoli.
One Year Ago: Cheesy Garlic Bread
Two Years Ago: Toasted Orzo with Peas and Parmesan
Three Years Ago: Black and White Bean Dip
San Francisco Chops {Slow Cooker}
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 pork chops, about 1-inch thick
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- Hot Cooked Rice, for serving
Instructions
- In a large 12-inch skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until it is simmering and hot. Season the pork chops on both sides with salt and pepper. Brown the pork chops for 1-2 minutes on each side in the hot oil until golden. Transfer the chops to the slow cooker. Add the garlic to the drippings in the skillet and stir constantly over medium heat until the garlic is aromatic and golden (but not burned or it will turn bitter!). Stir in the soy sauce, broth, brown sugar and red pepper flakes; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Pour over chops.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours until the meat is tender. If using bone-in pork chops, fish out the bones from the slow cooker. Remove the chops from the slow cooker to a shallow pan or plate – they will most likely be falling apart in tenderness at this point.
- In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Whisk the cornstarch slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker. Return the chops to the slow cooker. Turn the slow cooker heat to high and cook for 30 minutes to an hour longer, until the sauce is slightly thickened. If you want a super duper thick sauce, once you remove the chops from the slow cooker, pour the sauce into a pan and place it over medium heat on the stove. Add the cornstarch slurry and bring the sauce to a boil. Boil for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is thick. Add the pork and heat through.
- Serve the tender chops over rice and garnish with green onions, if desired.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: adapted from Jane Deere
A staple in my crockpot rotation. Love the spice and flavor in this one.
Hi Mel!
I only have thin cut pork chops in the freezer right now, but I do have some pork country style ribs. Do you think those would be a good fit for this recipe?
Thanks!
Yes, the country-style pork ribs should work great!
Hi can u make this and put in oven to finish baking and if so what temperature and how long to bake?
I haven’t tried that, but I’m guessing it would work. Maybe 300 degrees for a couple of hours?
Very good sauce! I followed directions exactly and my pork chops were burned to a crisp….to ash. The sauce became more like a lacquer. We had to throw it out and go for taking out. There seems to be not enough liquid and the time in the Slow cooker is overkill. What can be done to save this seemingly good recipe?
Different brands of slow cookers may cook at higher temps (sounds like that might have been part of the problem). You can also try adding some broth to help if it’s overcooking (or shorten the cooking time).
Do you think these would work in the instant pot? If so, how long would you cook, bone-in?
I’m not sure – you might try googling IP cooking times for bone-in pork chops. I haven’t tried it myself!
Could this be cooked in the oven? If I used a cast iron pan to sear, then transfer to the oven, how long would it need to cook and at what temperature?
I haven’t tried it so I’m not sure – but maybe 275 degrees for a couple of hours?
I made it in my instant pot toaster oven. I used really thin pork chops. 350 for 20 minutes. The sauce came out thick and stick (almost like a orange chicken sauce consistency) and it was so good. I checked with a meat thermometer and it was done.
Well I should have known just to come here and look for a recipe in the first place. A recipe from 2011 to boot! Had some porkchops that I wanted to toss in the crock pot and didn’t want a creamy base. Voila! MKC to the rescue! Based on how my kitchen smells delicious just after the prepwork, I’m already drooling and contemplating dinner this evening. Holy heck it smells SOOOO good! My porkchops were irregularly thick (big pack from Costco I divide up and freeze since it’s just 2 of us) so I just halved them all. Then I was like… ooops they aren’t all 1″ thick now. I think they should still be fine, I’ll just have to keep on eye on them and check them well before 8 hours. But my crockpot cooks hot and fast even on low. Oh the aroma from my kitchen…. Thanks!
Then I saw the guestimate for the Instapot. But that’s okay, I get to drool over this aroma all day!
Made these last Sunday and they were delicious! I upped the water to a full cup, with just a little beef bullion as other reviews mentioned it being too salty. I also skipped the garlic since my husband can’t have it. Everyone loved it and my 6 year old had 4 servings! Will definitely make this again
I followed the recipe precisely. The pork chops were falling apart but very dry. I also found the sauce to be too salty even though I used low sodium soy sauce and did not add salt to the meat. Would not make this again.
The 7 hour limit burned my pork chops to a crisp leaving me sorely disappointed. Can you please share the actual temperature the meat is supposed to be at so next time I can gage by temperature rather than 7-8 hour time frame?
I’m sorry, Amy. I don’t know the internal temperature because I’ve never checked – much of this will depend on what type of slow cooker you have and how hot it cooks (some slow cookers cook hotter than others).
Mel, I’m not giving up. I feel determined to make this recipe work so tonight we’ll try again. I put the chops in just now (12:45) and hoping they’ll be ready by 5 to eat. Crock pots are a toss up. In addition to altitude too. When we’re up in the cabin, some food takes longer to cook than if I were to make it at home in the same crock pot.
The internal temperature of pork should be 145*!
Tried this recipe tonight and it was a hit! The flavors were amazing and meat was tender and juicy! We had it over stuffing instead of rice. My daughter said she wants to make this at college since it was so easy. Would not change a thing… came out perfect!
Unfortunately my chops turned out very dry. I made sure they were thicker than 1 inch. I used a 6 quart slow cooker. I wasn’t impressed with the sauce flavor either. It was very bland. Not a winner for our house.
The pork chops were very flavorful and so tender you could eat then without teeth. We used the stopping in the crockpot over the white rice.
Have made this numerous times and love it.
Hey Mel!
Just curious if I’m using thinner pork chops – would I just lower the time and avoid the dryness of the chops? Or do you HIGHLY recommend the thick chops?
Our grocery store had buy 8 for $10 and get 8 free chops! But they’re all 1/2″ thick. Stink!
I do think thicker pork chops are best, but yeah, if you can bet thinner chops, I’d just decrease the time and check on them often.
I found helpful to remember to plug in the crock pot! Haha
Can you make his with a Sous Vide?
I’m sure you could try! I haven’t done so myself yet so I can’t give exact instructions.
I made it last night also and mine too was salty. I did use low sodium soy sauce mixed with regular cause that is what I had left over, however I was surprised that it was soooooo salty considering I used only a bit of the regular soy sauce. It was good however and I will try it again using only low sodium to see if it makes a difference. By any chance do you have the nutritional info for this dish?
I don’t have the nutritional info – sorry!
Tried this tonight for dinner. It was really salty. Not sure what I did?? Would not using low sodium soy sauce make that much of difference? Totally bummed.
If it was too salty, my guess is the regular soy sauce is the culprit.
when i dont have low sodium i just mix it with water and its good to go
I’ve been making this for years. It is a family favorite. I’ve always made it in the crock pot, but mine broke this week. So, I tried it in the instant pot. I started with 15 minutes (with 10 minute natural release). They didn’t shred as easily as I wanted, so I cooked them another 5 minutes and they were great. I always double the sauce (except for the red pepper) because it doesn’t seem like enough otherwise. In the instant pot there seemed to be more sauce than when I cook them in the crock pot. I liked this better. However, I like the flavor of the pork chops better cooked in the crock pot. The flavors seem to infuse the meat in a way that doesn’t happen in the instant pot.
Thanks for the report, Laurel – so helpful for those that may want to use the Instant Pot!
Mel,
wondering if these would be good with Mushroom Risotto?
The flavors might be a little strong for mushroom risotto, but as I type that, I still think it’s worth a shot. Sounds delicious.
Well
i tried it last night and everyone raved about it. The only thing I changed was the type of mushrooms I used. Generally I just use button this time I used a mix of shiitake, morels and enoki which stand up better to strong flavors. I also used a pork broth rather then chicken and wine. Our guest are chefs so to have them dig in go for seconds was really awesome!! They absolutely loved the Pork as well and asked for the recipe and were astounded when I told them where I got it and kept asking if you were a Chef. I told them your a over worked Mom who happens to be a fantastic cook and the place I go to find recipes for good food fast.
Made this tonight in the Instant Pot, set for 15 mins on high. I doubled everything.. Family enjoyed it. 15 mins cooking time is one or two minutes too many. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
I’m getting the instant pot for Christmas! Could you please break down this recipe for 5, using the instant pot? Thanks so much!
Yum, the whole family loved it!!
Sorry to say, not a good outcome. I used 1-1/2 inch thick pork chops as I know 1 inch would dry out after 7 hours on low… Did 6 hours and was so dryed out !!! Sauce was salty… Not a keeper, unhealthy, and a waste of money.
So delicious!!
I made this last night and it was very good. Even the picky little girls liked it. The chops I had were very thick, at least 1 1/2 inches, so I doubled the sauce and cooked for 8hrs on low in my slow cooker. I would love to find this recipe adapted for my Instant Pot.