🥩🍑 Slow Cooker Apricot Dijon Pork & Green Bean Packets
Juicy Apricot Dijon Pork Chops with Green Beans & Onions
Tender, juicy boneless pork chops are layered over fresh green beans and sweet sliced onions, then topped with a delicious combination of apricot preserves, tangy Dijon mustard, and rich melted butter. Everything cooks together in individual foil packets, creating a glossy, sweet-and-savory sauce that coats every bite. An easy, comforting dinner with minimal cleanup and incredible flavor! 🤤🍑
⏱️ Prep Time: 20 minutes 🔥 Cook Time: Approximately 3–4 hours on LOW ⏰ Total Time: Approximately 3 hours 20 minutes–4 hours 20 minutes 🍽️ Servings: 4 🥘 Cooking Method: Slow Cooker / Crock-Pot 🌡️ Pork Safe Internal Temperature: 145°F (63°C), followed by a 3-minute rest.
🛒 Ingredients
For the pork and vegetables:
- 4 boneless pork loin chops, approximately 1 inch thick (about 2 lb / 900 g total)
- 12 oz (340 g) fresh slender green beans, ends trimmed
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
For the apricot Dijon butter sauce:
- ½ cup (120 ml) apricot jam or preserves
- ¼ cup (60 ml) smooth Dijon mustard
- 4 tablespoons (57 g) unsalted butter, divided into 4 equal pats
For assembling:
– 4 large sheets heavy-duty aluminum foil
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Slow Cooker
Make sure your slow cooker is clean and dry. Use a 6-quart slow cooker that can accommodate all four foil packets with the lid closing completely.
Prepare four large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil, ensuring each sheet is large enough to hold one pork chop and its vegetables.
2. Prepare the Green Beans
Wash and thoroughly dry the fresh green beans. Trim off the tough ends.
Divide the green beans evenly among the four foil sheets, creating a small vegetable bed in the center of each sheet.
3. Add the Onions
Thinly slice the yellow onion into even strips.
Divide the onion slices equally over the green beans. The onions will soften during cooking and release their natural sweetness into the buttery sauce.
4. Add the Pork Chops
Place one fully thawed, raw boneless pork loin chop directly over the green beans and onions in each foil packet.
Arrange the chops in a single layer and make sure they are approximately the same thickness to encourage even cooking.
5. Prepare the Apricot Dijon Sauce
In a small mixing bowl, combine the apricot jam and smooth Dijon mustard.
Stir thoroughly until the mixture becomes smooth, glossy, and evenly blended.
The apricot preserves provide natural sweetness, while Dijon mustard adds a tangy, savory flavor that balances the sauce.
6. Coat the Pork with Sauce
Divide the apricot Dijon mixture evenly among the four pork chops.
Spread approximately 2 tablespoons of apricot jam and 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard over each chop, as specified in the ingredient list.
Make sure the sauce covers the upper surface of each pork chop.
7. Add the Butter
Place one tablespoon-sized pat of unsalted butter directly over each pork chop.
As the butter melts, it combines with the apricot Dijon mixture and the natural cooking juices to create a rich, flavorful sauce.
8. Seal the Foil Packets
Bring the long sides of each foil sheet together over the pork.
Fold the edges over themselves several times to create a secure seal.
Fold and pinch both ends carefully, leaving a little room inside each packet for steam to circulate.
Keep the green beans underneath, onions in the middle, and pork on top.
Make sure there are no large openings where the cooking juices could escape.
9. Arrange the Packets in the Slow Cooker
Carefully place all four foil packets upright inside the 6-quart slow cooker, with their seams facing upward.
Arrange them securely without crushing the contents.
Ensure the slow cooker lid closes completely and fits properly.
10. Slow Cook Until Tender
Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for approximately 3–4 hours.
Begin checking around the 2-hour mark because cooking times vary depending on the slow cooker, packet arrangement, and thickness of the pork chops.
Use a food thermometer inserted into the thickest part of each pork chop to verify that it reaches at least 145°F (63°C).
The green beans should be tender, and the onions should be soft.
11. Rest the Pork
Carefully remove the packets from the slow cooker using heat-resistant utensils.
Place each packet on an individual plate or heat-safe surface.
Allow the pork to rest for at least 3 minutes after reaching 145°F (63°C).
12. Open and Serve
Carefully unfold the foil, keeping your hands and face away from the escaping hot steam.
Open each packet slowly to reveal the juicy pork chop, tender green beans, softened onions, and delicious apricot Dijon butter sauce.
Keep the foil base flat and transfer the entire serving to a white dinner plate.
Spoon the remaining buttery apricot Dijon juices over the pork and vegetables.
Serve immediately while warm!
💡 Pro Tips for the Best Results
- Choose similar-sized pork chops: This helps all four portions cook more evenly.
- Use fresh green beans: Slender fresh beans work particularly well in this recipe.
- Don’t skip the butter: It adds richness and helps create a silky sauce.
- Spread the sauce evenly: Make sure every pork chop gets a generous coating.
- Seal the packets properly: This helps retain the flavorful cooking juices.
- Check the temperature: Always use a meat thermometer rather than relying only on cooking time.
- Avoid overcooking: Pork loin is relatively lean and can become dry if cooked too long.
- Serve with extra sauce: Those sweet-and-tangy juices are one of the best parts of this meal!
🍽️ What to Serve with Apricot Dijon Pork
This delicious slow cooker dinner pairs beautifully with:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Garlic butter rice
- Warm dinner rolls
- Roasted baby potatoes
- Buttered egg noodles
- A fresh garden salad
- Steamed corn
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftover pork and vegetables in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooled leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months for best quality.
Reheating: Reheat thoroughly to 165°F (74°C). Add a little reserved sauce or water to help keep the pork moist.
Important: Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Do not store the cooked food inside foil packets at room temperature.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Just a handful of everyday ingredients.
- Sweet, tangy, buttery apricot Dijon flavor.
- Tender pork with flavorful vegetables.
- Individual foil packets make serving easy.
- Minimal preparation and cleanup.
- Perfect for busy weeknights and cozy family dinners.
A little sweet, a little tangy, and absolutely delicious! This Slow Cooker Apricot Dijon Pork & Green Bean Packets recipe is an easy way to bring something special to the dinner table. 🤤🥩🍑
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