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Slow-Cooked Pork Chops with Tomato Sauce (Serves 2)

Prep 15 min Cook 240 min Difficulty 2/5

Easy slow-cooker pork chops with tomato sauce for two — tender meat in a tomato bath, ready in a few hours.

Why this recipe works

This slow-cooked pork chops recipe yields tender meat with a tomatoey sauce. It serves 2 and is ideal for weeknight dinners or a cozy weekend meal that tastes like it simmered all day. It’s simple enough for beginners but flavorful enough for leftovers.

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Key takeaways

Hands-off simmer saves time.
Tomato-rich sauce pairs with pork without added effort.
Adjust thickness and seasoning to taste.

Recipe guide

This slow-cooked pork chops recipe yields tender meat with a tomatoey sauce. It serves 2 and is ideal for weeknight dinners or a cozy weekend meal that tastes like it simmered all day. It’s simple enough for beginners but flavorful enough for leftovers.

This easy slow-cooker meal makes tender pork with a rich tomato sauce.

  • Hands-off simmer saves time.
  • Tomato-rich sauce pairs with pork without added effort.
  • Adjust thickness and seasoning to taste.

Ingredients you’ll need

- 4 bone-in pork chops (about 6–8 oz each) (note: the original list had duplicates; use 4 total to serve 2). - 1 tbsp olive oil - 1/2 tsp kosher salt - 1/4 tsp black pepper - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika - 1 small onion, thinly sliced - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes with juices - 1/4 cup chicken broth - 1 tbsp tomato paste - 1 tsp dried oregano - 1 tsp brown sugar - 1 bay leaf - 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar - 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried) - Optional: 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp cold water (to thicken)

Make the tomato base

Sauté onion and garlic in the skillet until softened. Stir in cherry tomatoes, diced tomatoes with juices, broth, tomato paste, oregano, brown sugar, bay leaf, balsamic vinegar, and thyme. Simmer briefly, scraping browned bits from the pan.

Slow-cook and serve

Place seared pork chops in the slow cooker and pour over the tomato mixture. Cook on low 4–6 hours or high 2–3 hours until 145°F and tender. If thickening, stir in a cornstarch slurry and cook 15–30 minutes uncovered on high. Remove bay leaf and thyme before serving.

Ingredients

  • 2 each bone-in pork chops (about 6–8 oz each)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • 1 tbsp cold water (optional, for thickening)

Instructions

  1. Pat pork chops dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Sear pork chops 2–3 minutes per side until browned; transfer to slow cooker.
  4. Add sliced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté 2–3 minutes until softened.
  5. Stir in cherry tomatoes, diced tomatoes with juices, chicken broth, tomato paste, oregano, brown sugar, bay leaf, balsamic vinegar, and thyme; bring to a simmer and scrape up browned bits.
  6. Pour tomato mixture over pork chops in slow cooker.
  7. Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours or on high for 2–3 hours, until pork reaches 145°F and is tender.
  8. If desired, whisk cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry, stir into slow-cooker sauce, and cook on high uncovered 15–30 minutes to thicken.
  9. Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  10. Serve pork chops spooned with tomato sauce immediately.

FAQs

Can I use boneless pork chops? Yes, adjust cook time to prevent drying; check for 145°F and tender in about 3–4 hours on low.
Can I make this ahead? Yes. Assemble ingredients, refrigerate, then start slow cooking later. Reheat gently to maintain tenderness.
How can I thicken the sauce without cornstarch? Simmer uncovered longer to reduce, or whisk in a small amount of tomato paste to deepen flavor and thickness.