Taste the flavors of fall with slow cooker pork chops, apples, and onions. A delicious set-it and forget-it weeknight meal!

A big thank you to Kroger Co. of Michigan for sponsoring this post! And being my go-to grocery store for simple, weeknight meal inspiration, like this slow cooker pork chops, apples, and onion recipe!
Slow cooker pork chops, apples, and onions is one of the first recipes I’ve made which I quickly advised my family to add LOTS of ketchup to the finished product. Yep, the first time I made this recipe it was a FLOP. FLOP! It’s not always yum and mmmm in my kitchen folks. Especially when I’m feeding toddlers!
While I’ve put together a list of my favorite slow cooker tips and tricks, apparently I didn’t take my own advice and overcrowded the insert! Round two had me skipping the potatoes all together [I gave in and just decided to roast them] and voila! Take two is the most delicious fall-inspired meal I’ve made this year. Well this, and these pumpkin spice muffins.


No, my toddlers didn’t squeal with excitement when they saw those pork chops and apples again. But they didn’t ask for ketchup. So I call that blog-worthy!
Plus, fall means apples galore in Michigan, as Michigan is the second-largest producer of apples in the U.S. And since Kroger stores feature a variety of homegrown, local produce, I know I’m getting some of the freshest, most nutritious apples for this dish. That and their Simple Truth Pork Chops.
Nicely cut—> so they don’t stand a chance at drying out in the slow cooker. That’s only if you omit the potatoes… learn from my mistakes!
- 3-4 boneless, center-cut pork chops, cut about 1-inch thick
- 3 red delicious apples, diced
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Combine vinegar, water, salt, pepper, and brown sugar. Set aside.
- Add onions and apples to slow cooker insert. Add pork chops. Top with sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
- Serve immediately, with additional sauce/drippings from bottom of the slow cooker insert.
What’s one of your favorite ways to cook with apples? Are you a big fan of the pork + apple combination like I am?! Taste the flavors of fall with slow cooked pork chops, apples, and onions! Share on X
Great recipes for pork chops. My husband will happy if I try this at home. Really thanks for sharing awesome recipes.
Keep it up.
Thanks Freya! I hope you try it!
Just put mine in the Crock-Pot now. The cinnamon isn’t mentioned in the prep. Do you add to sauce or sprinkle over?
Oops! Sorry for that miss. Yes it’s sprinkled on top. How did you like it?
This recipe is wonderful tasting and easy to make.
Thank you Bonni! Glad you enjoyed ?
I’m going to try pork chops and apples for the first time today. My husband is worried it’ll be too sweet. I was wondering if there were some seasonings that would compliment these flavors, but make it a little more savory (maybe dry mustard or thyme?) Thoughts?
I think those would both be great additions!!!! You add fresh thyme at the end or the mustard and thyme dry in with the sauce. Now I’m trying it your way!
Hi! Trying this recipe out tomorrow. Should my slow cooker be on high, medium, or low? Thanks!
Nevermind….I saw low in the fine print!
I hope you liked it!!
I’m trying this today. I’m weary about on low for 4-5 hours. I have recipes for pork chops that say high for 4-5 hours and low 8-10 hours. So I’m just double checking! Thanks!
Hi!!! So glad you are trying it out! Honestly I think a lot depends on the thickness of your chops. Mine were thin (1/2-3/4 of an inch) so that’s why I didn’t cook for too long. And because there wasn’t any fat on them I was worried about them drying out!
Can you possibly use honeycrisp apples for this recipe? I have them in the house and I would love to make this today for dinner.
Katie,can i double this recipe?
can i double this recipe
Would using bone-in pork chops be just as good?
I don’t have a crock pot insert. Will it work if I just put the apples etc in the pot first?
Turned out perfect…. used thin boned chops and the meat fell off the bone. TY
I just put it all in the crockpot and it smells awesome already! I didn’t have any onions so used the dried, minced onion. I also added approx. 1 tablespoon of dried thyme, a cup of fresh cranberries, and a few shakes of poultry seasoning, and probably more than the suggested cinnamon ?. Can’t wait to see how it comes out! Oh, I also only had boneless country style ribs, and one thick cut chop, but I don’t imagine that will make a difference.
Loved this recipe and my husband liked it too. Next time, I will add more apples.
You’re a dietitian and you feed your children ketchup? Seems like a little too much sugar and/or HFCS to me.
Dips work well in this house and ketchup gets them to eat other things like lean meats and veggies. I’ll take it!
Just made this for dinner tonight! First of all, it smelled amazing in my house today! I used honeycrisp apples because they were what I had. I also added a tablespoon of dijon and a clove of garlic, minced, to the sauce.) The sauce was delicious! The pork was great too but a tad dry. Mine were on the small side so maybe that’s why. Next time I’ll probably check on them after 3.5 hours. Thanks for a great fall recipe!
I’m a working mom so I need to cook and then come back and warm up when home. You say eat right away…..is that a must?
I have had this recipe for many years. 1 cup ketchup, 1 cup sliced or chopped onion and 1 cup applesauce. Mix and pour over seasoned chops in slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours depending on the thickness of the chops. The sauce is great on mashed potatoes or rice or noodles.
Hi. Can I use honey instead of brown sugar? Thank you!
This recipe looks great as I was searching for something different to make for guests tomorrow! BTW, that ketchup comment is pretty silly. Not all ketchup has HFCS.
This came out really good ! Used 5 apples
Hi does anyone know if I can use a pork tenderloin instead?? Thanks
I thought it had way to much of a vinegar taste. Not sure what I should do about it. I don’t want to waste the pork chops.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.