Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops That’ll Make You Wonder Why You Ever Used Your Oven
So you want dinner that tastes like you actually tried, but you also want to spend approximately zero minutes actively cooking? Welcome to the magical world of crockpot ranch pork chops, where you literally dump everything in a pot, walk away for six hours, and somehow emerge as a culinary genius. It’s like having a personal chef, except the chef is a ceramic pot and doesn’t judge your life choices.
Why This Recipe is Awesome
Let’s start with the obvious: you can’t mess this up. Seriously, I’ve seen people burn cereal, and even they could nail this recipe. You put raw pork chops in a pot, sprinkle some ranch seasoning on top, add a few other ingredients, and then go live your life while the crockpot does all the actual work. It’s foolproof cooking for people who need fool-proof cooking.
The pork chops come out so tender you can cut them with a fork, which is perfect for those days when even using a knife feels like too much effort. The ranch seasoning creates this creamy, savory sauce that makes everything taste like comfort food heaven without requiring you to know what “fond” means or how to properly deglaze a pan.
Plus, it makes your house smell incredible all day. Your neighbors will think you’ve been slaving over a hot stove when really you’ve been binge-watching Netflix and occasionally checking to make sure the crockpot hasn’t achieved sentience. It’s the ultimate lazy person’s dinner that doesn’t taste lazy at all.
The best part? One pot, minimal cleanup. No fancy techniques, no complicated timing, no standing over a stove flipping things. Just set it and forget it, like the world’s most delicious infomercial product.
Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops That’ll Make You Wonder Why You Ever Used Your Oven
Course: Dinner / Main CourseCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Hard4
servings5
minutes3
hours320
kcal3
hours5
minutesTender, juicy pork chops slow-cooked in a creamy ranch sauce – an easy, comforting dinner the whole family will love.
Ingredients
4 boneless pork chops
1 packet ranch seasoning mix (about 1 oz)
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (or mushroom)
½ cup chicken broth
1 tbsp olive oil or butter
Salt & black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Directions
- Prep pork chops: Season lightly with salt & pepper. Sear in a skillet with oil/butter for 2–3 minutes per side (optional, but adds flavor).
- Mix sauce: In a bowl, whisk together ranch seasoning, cream of chicken soup, and chicken broth.
- Slow cook: Place pork chops in the crockpot. Pour sauce mixture over.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low 6 hrs or high 3 hrs, until pork is tender.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or veggies.
Notes
- For creamier sauce, stir in ½ cup sour cream at the end.
Works well with bone-in pork chops too.
Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 2–3 days.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Lifting the lid constantly to check on things. Every time you lift that lid, you add 15-30 minutes to the cooking time. The crockpot works by trapping steam and heat, so let it do its thing. Patience, grasshopper.
Cooking on high when you have time to cook on low. High heat works in a pinch, but low and slow gives you more tender, flavorful results. It’s the difference between “pretty good” and “holy cow, this is amazing.”
Not browning the pork chops first. Okay, this isn’t a mistake exactly, but browning adds so much flavor that it’s worth the extra 5 minutes if you have them. If not, don’t stress about it.
Alternatives & Substitutions
No ranch packets? Make your own with dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley. It won’t taste exactly the same, but it’ll still be delicious. Store-bought ranch seasoning just hits different though, so grab some next time you’re at the store.
Cream of mushroom soup not your thing? Cream of chicken works great, or you could use cream cheese mixed with some broth for a richer sauce. Golden mushroom soup is also fantastic if you can find it.
Want to add vegetables? Throw in some carrots, potatoes, or green beans during the last few hours of cooking. Just don’t add them at the beginning or they’ll turn to mush.
Making it healthier? Use reduced-sodium ranch mix and low-fat cream soup. You could also add more vegetables and serve it over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I use frozen pork chops?
Technically yes, but they’ll take longer to cook and might not be as evenly done. Thaw them first if you can—it’s worth the extra planning.
What if my sauce is too thin?
Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking. It’ll thicken right up.
Can I double this recipe?
Sure, just make sure your crockpot is big enough. You might need to add a little extra cooking time if you’re really packing it in there.
Do I have to use bone-in pork chops?
Nope! Boneless work great too and are actually easier to serve. Bone-in tends to be more flavorful and stays moister, but boneless is totally fine.
Can I prep this the night before?
Absolutely! Assemble everything in your crockpot insert, cover, and stick it in the fridge. In the morning, just put it in the base and turn it on. Easy weekday dinner sorted.
What sides go with this?
Mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or roasted vegetables all work beautifully. The sauce is so good you’ll want something to soak it up with.
Final Thoughts
This recipe is proof that good food doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the best meals are the ones that practically cook themselves while you go about your day. These pork chops are comfort food at its finest—tender, flavorful, and made with ingredients you probably already have.
The beauty of crockpot cooking is that it turns even the most culinarily challenged among us into dinner heroes. Set it in the morning, come home to an amazing smell, and suddenly you’re the person who “has it all together.” We’ll keep the secret that it took about five minutes of actual work.
So go ahead, embrace the lazy cook lifestyle. Your crockpot is ready to make you look like a kitchen rockstar, and these ranch pork chops are ready to become your new go-to comfort food. Easy, delicious, and practically foolproof—what more could you want?
