Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Chops

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Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Chops

Tender, juicy, and bursting with a delicious balance of sweet and savory island flavors, these slow cooker Hawaiian pork chops are effortless to make. The slow cooker allows the pork to become melt-in-your-mouth tender while infusing it with a rich pineapple and soy-based glaze.

Recipe Overview

  • Prep time: 15 mins
  • Cook time: 4 to 6 hours (Low) or 3 to 4 hours (High)
  • Servings: 4 to 6

Ingredients

  • The Meat & Fruit:
    • 4 to 6 thick-cut pork chops (bone-in or boneless)
    • 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks or rings, juice reserved
    • 1 red or green bell pepper, sliced into bite-sized chunks
    • 1 small yellow onion, sliced
  • The Hawaiian Sauce:
    • 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
    • 1/3 cup soy sauce (or tamari)
    • 1/4 cup ketchup or barbecue sauce
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
  • The Thickener (Optional):
    • 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (to thicken the sauce at the end)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Season and Brown (Optional): Season your pork chops lightly with salt and pepper. For extra flavor, you can sear them in a skillet with a little oil for 2 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer them to the slow cooker (or skip this step for a true dump-and-go meal).
  2. Layer the Vegetables and Fruit: Place the sliced onions and bell peppers at the bottom of the slow cooker. Lay the pork chops right on top of the vegetables. Scatter the pineapple chunks around and over the pork chops.
  3. Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the reserved pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, and ginger until smooth. Pour this flavorful sauce evenly over the pork chops, pineapple, and veggies.
  4. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours (or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours), or until the pork chops are completely tender and cooked through.
  5. Thicken the Sauce (Optional): For a glossy, clingy glaze, carefully remove the pork chops and pineapple from the slow cooker. Pour the liquid into a saucepan, bring it to a simmer on the stove, and stir in the cornstarch-water mixture. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened, then pour over the pork chops.
  6. Serve: Serve hot over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice or cauliflower rice, garnished with green onions or sesame seeds.

Helpful Tips

  • Pork Cut Choice: Thick-cut, bone-in pork chops hold up best in the slow cooker and stay juicier than thin, lean cuts.
  • Extra Veggies: Feel free to toss in sliced carrots or snap peas for extra color and crunch!

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