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If you’ve been following along, you will remember I mentioned my obsession with all things French onion. Well, now that school routines are starting and fall is coming, I figured it was time to pull out my Crockpot French Onion Smothered Pork Chops – I originally found the inspiration for these as oven-baked pork chops, but this recipe, for us, made more sense for the crockpot, they’re exactly the kind of dinner I like to have in my back pocket for busy days. The pork chops cook slowly under a creamy French onion mixture, and then we finish them with plenty of melted cheddar and crispy French fried onions.
Like I mentioned before, I’ve been on a little bit of a French onion kick lately. My French Onion Chicken and Rice Casserole has those same cozy flavors but turns them into a cheesy chicken and rice dinner. For this one, the crockpot does most of the work, which makes it an especially good option when I know the afternoon is going to get busy.
Why You’ll Love These Crockpot French Onion Smothered Pork Chops
- Easy crockpot dinner – Once the pork chops and French onion mixture are in the slow cooker, there’s very little left to do until dinner.
- Simple ingredients – You only need a handful of basic ingredients to put this together.
- Creamy and cheesy – The French onion mixture keeps the pork chops covered in a creamy sauce, and cheddar gets melted over everything at the end.
- That crispy topping – French fried onions added right before serving give you a little crunch against the creamy pork chops.
- Easy to pair with sides – Mashed potatoes, green beans, bread, corn, or another simple vegetable can turn these pork chops into a full meal.
Ingredients
- Boneless pork chops
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- French onion soup mix
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Crispy French fried onions
- Salt and pepper, optional
Equipment
Slow Cooker – You’ll want a slow cooker large enough to arrange the pork chops across the bottom. A little overlapping is okay, especially when making enough for a larger family.
Mixing Bowl – A small mixing bowl gives you enough room to combine the sour cream and French onion soup mix before adding it to the pork chops.
Whisk – I like using a whisk here because it helps work the dry soup mix into the sour cream and gets rid of those little clumps.
Meat Thermometer – This is one piece of equipment I really recommend for pork chops. Their thickness can vary quite a bit, so checking the internal temperature is much more reliable than relying only on the cooking time.
How to Make Crockpot French Onion Smothered Pork Chops
Prepare the Pork Chops
Start by arranging the boneless pork chops across the bottom of your slow cooker. They don’t have to fit perfectly in one completely flat layer. A little overlapping is fine, but try to spread them out as evenly as your crockpot allows.
You can season the pork chops with a little salt and pepper before adding the sour cream mixture, but keep in mind that French onion soup mix already has plenty of seasoning. I’d rather start light on the salt and add more at the table if needed.
Make the Creamy French Onion Mixture
In a separate bowl, whisk the sour cream and dry French onion soup mix together. Take a minute to really mix it well so you don’t have pockets of dry seasoning left in the sauce. You can also use plain Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream. It will give the sauce a slightly tangier flavor, while sour cream gives you the richer, creamier result.
Spread the French onion mixture all over the pork chops, making sure each one gets covered. As the pork cooks, you’ll end up with juices in the bottom of the crockpot that mingle with that creamy onion mixture and create a flavorful sauce.
Slow Cook the Pork Chops
Cover the crockpot and let the pork chops cook until they reach 145°F in the thickest part. The exact amount of time can vary quite a bit depending on the thickness of your pork chops and how hot your slow cooker runs. This is why I start checking them on the early side instead of automatically leaving them in for the longest suggested cooking time. Boneless pork chops can go from tender to dry when they’re overcooked.
Add the Cheese and Crispy Onions
Once the pork reaches 145°F, sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the top.
You only need to give it enough time for that cheese to melt over the pork chops.
Save the French fried onions for the very end. Sprinkle them generously over the melted cheese right before serving so they stay crispy. That little bit of crunch is what finishes these off.
This is especially good served with my Garlic Parmesan Green Beans and Creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes because you can spoon some of that creamy French onion sauce right over the potatoes.
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PrintCrockpot French Onion Smothered Pork Chops
Tender boneless pork chops slow cooked with creamy French onion dip and cheddar cheese, then finished with crispy French fried onions for an easy weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 pork chops
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow cooker, Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 boneless pork chops
- 1 (8-ounce) container sour cream (or plain greek yogurt)
- 1 French onion soup mix packet
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 ounces crispy French fried onions (or more to preference)
- Salt and pepper, optional
Instructions
- Lightly grease the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Arrange the pork chops in an even layer in the slow cooker. Slight overlapping is fine if needed.
- Season the pork chops with salt and pepper, if desired.
- Mix the sour cream (or greek yogurt) and the French onion soup dry mix together and whisk until there are no clumps.
- Spread the French onion mixture evenly over the pork chops.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, depending on the thickness of the pork chops.
- Begin checking the pork chops on the early side. They are done when the thickest part reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the pork chops. Cover and cook for another 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Sprinkle the crispy French fried onions over the top immediately before serving.
Notes
- Sour cream vs. Greek yogurt: Either will work. Sour cream will give you the richest, creamiest sauce, while plain Greek yogurt will be slightly tangier. Try my Homemade Sour cream!
- The French onion soup mix already contains quite a bit of salt, so I would go light on any additional salt when seasoning the pork.
- Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the pork chops and your slow cooker. Start checking them early rather than relying solely on the cooking time.
- Pork is safely cooked at 145°F followed by a 3-minute rest. Avoid cooking the chops much beyond that if possible, since boneless pork chops can become dry.
- Add the French fried onions only when you’re ready to serve. Putting them in earlier will cause them to soften.
Recipes That Pair Well With This
- Creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes – Creamy mashed potatoes are probably my first choice with these pork chops. They’re perfect for catching some of the extra French onion sauce from the crockpot.
- Garlic Parmesan Green Beans – These buttery garlic green beans with Parmesan make an easy savory side that goes really well with the creamy French onion pork chops.
- Homemade Mac and Cheese Dry Mix makes a creamy, kid-friendly side when you want something different from mashed potatoes with these smothered pork chops.
- Quick & Easy Dinner Rolls – Warm dinner rolls are an easy way to round out this comfort-food dinner and are especially good with the creamy sauce.
- Flaky Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits – Homemade biscuits make another good bread option when you want something a little heartier alongside the pork chops.
- Corn on the Cob – Keep the rest of dinner simple with corn on the cob and choose whichever cooking method works best for you that night.
- Perfect Classic Cheesecake – A classic cheesecake is a simple dessert to serve after a savory pork chop dinner.
- Bakery Style White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies – These cookies give you an easy make-ahead dessert when you don’t want to make anything else at dinnertime.
- Best Snickerdoodle Cookies Ever – Cinnamon-sugar snickerdoodles are another simple dessert that works well after this cozy dinner.
More Recipes to Try
- French Onion Chicken and Rice Casserole – Try this next when you want more of that French onion flavor in an easy cheesy chicken and rice casserole.
- Easy Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings – Another slow cooker comfort-food dinner that’s great for a busy day.
- Slow Cooker Crack Chicken– Creamy, cheesy slow cooker chicken that can be served in several different ways.
- Easy Crockpot Chili – A hearty crockpot dinner that’s easy to get started earlier in the day and have waiting at dinnertime.
- Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup – A dump-and-go slow cooker meal when you need something with very little prep.
- Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken – A completely different slow cooker flavor when you want to switch things up.
- Easy Homemade Chicken Pot Pie – A classic comfort-food dinner with creamy chicken filling and a cozy homemade feel.
Tips for Little Helpers
Little helpers can whisk together the sour cream and French onion soup mix while you handle the raw pork. This is a good job for kids because they can keep whisking until they don’t see any dry clumps left.
They can also help measure out the cheese and French fried onions ahead of time. Once the pork is fully cooked, older helpers can sprinkle the cheese over the top with supervision. Save the French fried onions for serving time and let everyone add a little extra crunch to their own plate if they want.
Tips for Success
Watch the temperature, not just the clock. Pork chop thickness varies, and slow cookers don’t all cook at exactly the same rate. Start checking the pork on the early side and remove it from the heat once it reaches 145°F in the thickest part.
Don’t overdo the salt. The French onion soup mix already brings plenty of seasoning to the recipe. You can always add more salt at the table, but you can’t take it back out.
Whisk the sauce well. Mix the sour cream and French onion soup mix until the dry seasoning is completely incorporated before spreading it over the pork.
Wait to add the cheese. The cheddar only needs enough time in the crockpot to melt. Adding it at the beginning would give it hours longer than it needs.
Keep those onions crispy. Don’t add the French fried onions while the pork chops are slow cooking. The moisture inside the crockpot will soften them. Add them immediately before serving instead.
FAQs
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes. Plain Greek yogurt can be substituted for the sour cream. The flavor will be slightly tangier, while sour cream gives the sauce a richer taste. Make sure you use plain Greek yogurt rather than flavored or sweetened yogurt.
Can I use homemade sour cream?
Yes! Homemade sour cream works great in this recipe. Use it just like store-bought sour cream and whisk it with the French onion soup mix before spreading it over the pork chops. You can use my Homemade Sour Cream recipe if you’d rather make your own.
How do I know when crockpot pork chops are done?
Check the thickest portion of the pork chop with an instant-read meat thermometer. Pork is safely cooked when it reaches 145°F and is allowed to rest for at least three minutes.
Why are my crockpot pork chops dry?
They were most likely cooked too long. Boneless pork chops are relatively lean, so they don’t benefit from being left in the crockpot all day the way some tougher cuts of meat do. Start checking them early and use their internal temperature as your guide.
Can I use bone-in pork chops?
You can, but the cooking time may change depending on their thickness. Use a meat thermometer and cook them until the thickest portion reaches 145°F.
Can I use a different cheese?
Yes. Cheddar works especially well with the French onion flavor, but another good melting cheese can be substituted. Monterey Jack or Colby Jack would both be easy options.
Can I put the French fried onions in the crockpot earlier?
You can, but they won’t stay crispy. For the texture you see in the finished recipe, add them right before serving.
What should I serve with French onion pork chops?
Mashed potatoes are my favorite because they go so well with the creamy sauce. Green beans, corn, dinner rolls, biscuits, or another simple vegetable are all good side dish options too.
Storage
Allow leftover French onion pork chops to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator and reheat only what you plan to eat.
For the best texture, store extra French fried onions separately rather than putting them into the container with the pork chops. Add fresh crispy onions after reheating the leftovers.
Freezing Instructions
The cooked pork chops and creamy French onion sauce can be frozen, but I would leave off both the final crispy onion topping and any extra onions you plan to use when serving.
Let the pork chops cool completely, then transfer them with the sauce to a freezer-safe container. Thaw them in the refrigerator before reheating. Add fresh French fried onions after the pork chops are hot so you still get that crispy topping.
Keep in mind that sour cream-based sauces can sometimes change slightly in texture after freezing and thawing, so I prefer these fresh or refrigerated when possible.
Variations
Use Greek yogurt – Swap the sour cream for plain Greek yogurt for a slightly tangier French onion sauce.
Use Homemade Sour Cream – Skip the store-bought sour cream and use my Homemade Sour Cream instead. It works just the same in the creamy French onion mixture and is a great option when you already have a batch in the refrigerator.
Change the cheese – Try Colby Jack or Monterey Jack instead of cheddar.
Add extra French fried onions – Keep extra onions on the table for anyone who wants even more crunch. (I always double my own portion!)
Make it extra creamy – Spoon some of the creamy sauce from the bottom of the slow cooker over each pork chop when serving.
Try the same flavor in a casserole – For a completely different dinner using French onion flavors, make my French Onion Chicken and Rice Casserole.
Final Thoughts
These Crockpot French Onion Smothered Pork Chops take a pretty basic package of pork chops and turn it into a creamy, cheesy dinner without a lot of hands-on work. I especially like the contrast between the soft, creamy French onion sauce and those crispy onions piled over the melted cheddar at the end.
Add mashed potatoes and a vegetable, and you have the kind of simple comfort-food dinner that works really well on a busy weeknight without feeling like you just threw something together.
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