🥩🍎🍠 Slow Cooker Pork, Apples & Sweet Potatoes
Juicy, tender boneless pork chops slow-cooked with sweet potatoes, golden apples, onions, butter, and a hint of cinnamon. This cozy Crock-Pot dinner brings together the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The pork becomes tender, the apples soften beautifully, and the sweet potatoes soak up all those delicious buttery cooking juices. An easy, comforting family dinner made with simple ingredients! 🤤🤎
⏱️ Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3–4 hours on LOW
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes–4 hours 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Main Course / Dinner
- Cooking Method: Slow Cooker
- Slow Cooker Size: 6-quart
- Difficulty: Easy
🛒 Ingredients
For the Pork and Vegetables:
- 4 raw boneless pork loin chops, approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into thin ⅛-inch (3 mm) rounds
- 2 Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and cut into thin wedges
- 1 small yellow onion, peeled and cut into thin half-moon slices
For the Butter and Seasoning:
- 4 tablespoons (57 g) unsalted butter, divided into 4 pats
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Ingredients
Start by preparing all your ingredients before assembling the slow cooker.
Make sure the pork chops are completely thawed. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into thin, approximately ⅛-inch rounds. Peel, core, and slice the Golden Delicious apples into wedges. Finally, peel the yellow onion and cut it into thin half-moon slices.
Keep the pork refrigerated until you’re ready to assemble the dish.
2. Create the Sweet Potato Base
Take a 6-quart slow cooker and spread all the sliced sweet potatoes evenly across the bottom.
Arrange them in a relatively flat layer, slightly overlapping where necessary.
The sweet potatoes will cook in the buttery juices and become wonderfully tender while absorbing the flavors of the pork, apples, onions, and cinnamon.
3. Add the Apples
Distribute the apple wedges evenly over the sweet potato layer.
Try to spread them throughout the slow cooker rather than placing them all in one spot.
As the apples cook, they will soften and release their natural sweetness, creating a delicious balance with the savory pork.
4. Add the Onion
Scatter all the sliced yellow onion over the apples and sweet potatoes.
Spread the onion evenly so its flavor is distributed throughout the dish.
During slow cooking, the onion will become soft and tender, adding a delicious savory flavor to the naturally sweet ingredients.
5. Arrange the Pork Chops
Take all FOUR raw boneless pork loin chops and arrange them directly over the apples and vegetables in an even layer.
Keep the pork chops in a single layer whenever possible. Avoid stacking them on top of one another so they cook more evenly.
6. Add Butter and Seasonings
Divide the 4 tablespoons of butter into four individual pats.
Place one butter pat over each pork chop.
Sprinkle the ground cinnamon lightly over the pork, apples, and sweet potatoes.
Season with salt to taste, followed by freshly ground black pepper.
As the butter melts, it will combine with the natural juices released by the pork, apples, onions, and sweet potatoes, creating a rich, aromatic cooking liquid.
7. Slow Cook Everything
Place the lid securely on the slow cooker.
Cook on LOW for approximately 3–4 hours.
Begin checking around the 2-hour mark, especially if your slow cooker runs hot or your pork chops are thinner than 1 inch.
The sweet potatoes should become fork-tender, the apples should soften while retaining some of their shape, and the onions should become beautifully tender.
Important Food Safety: Check the internal temperature of the thickest part of each pork chop using a food thermometer. Pork must reach at least 145°F (63°C), followed by a minimum 3-minute rest. Cooking time can vary depending on your slow cooker and the thickness of the meat.
8. Rest the Pork Chops
Once the pork chops have reached the safe internal temperature, carefully transfer them to a warm serving plate.
Allow them to rest for at least 3 minutes before serving.
This resting period helps the meat retain its natural juices.
9. Serve and Enjoy
Serve one whole pork chop per person alongside a generous portion of sweet potato rounds, golden apple wedges, and softened onions.
Spoon plenty of the buttery cinnamon cooking juices over the pork and around the vegetables and fruit.
Serve warm and enjoy this delicious combination of tender pork, naturally sweet apples, and buttery sweet potatoes!
💡 Helpful Tips for the Best Results
- Choose thick pork chops: Approximately 1-inch-thick boneless pork chops work well for this recipe.
- Slice evenly: Keep the sweet potato rounds approximately the same thickness to encourage even cooking.
- Use Golden Delicious apples: Their naturally sweet flavor works beautifully with pork and cinnamon.
- Don’t add unnecessary liquid: The pork, apples, onions, and butter release moisture as they cook.
- Avoid overcooking: Pork loin chops are relatively lean and can become dry if cooked too long.
- Keep the lid closed: Opening the slow cooker repeatedly releases heat and extends cooking time.
- Handle apples gently: Transfer the cooked apple wedges carefully to help them retain their shape.
🥡 Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooled pork and vegetables in freezer-safe containers for up to 2–3 months for best quality.
Reheating: Reheat gently in the microwave or in a covered skillet with a little reserved cooking juice until thoroughly hot.
❤️ What to Serve With Slow Cooker Pork, Apples & Sweet Potatoes
This comforting dinner pairs beautifully with:
- Steamed green beans
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Garlic butter green beans
- A fresh garden salad
- Warm dinner rolls
- Steamed broccoli
- Creamy mashed potatoes
🍽️ Nutrition Information
Estimated per serving, based on 4 servings.
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 480 kcal |
| Protein | 36 g |
| Carbohydrates | 39 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Saturated Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 15 g |
| Sodium | 350 mg |
Nutrition values are approximate and depend on the size of the pork chops and ingredients used.
❤️ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use bone-in pork chops?
Yes. Bone-in pork chops can be used, but cooking time may vary. Always check the internal temperature rather than relying only on the clock.
Can I use a different type of apple?
Absolutely! Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Gala apples are good alternatives. Choose apples that hold their shape reasonably well during cooking.
Do I need to brown the pork chops first?
No. Browning is optional. You can arrange the raw, fully thawed pork chops directly in the slow cooker.
Can I prepare everything the night before?
Yes. You can slice and prepare the ingredients ahead of time. Refrigerate them separately in covered containers and assemble the slow cooker shortly before cooking.
Why are my sweet potatoes still firm?
Slice them thinly and evenly, and make sure they are arranged near the bottom of the slow cooker. Cooking time varies depending on the appliance and the thickness of the slices.
Can I cook this recipe on HIGH?
LOW is recommended for better control over the tenderness of the pork and vegetables. If using HIGH, check frequently for doneness and ensure the pork reaches 145°F (63°C).
🥩🍎 A little sweet, a little savory, and a whole lot of comfort! This Slow Cooker Pork, Apples & Sweet Potatoes recipe is an easy family dinner worth adding to your weekly menu. Enjoy every bite! 🤎