This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Slow Cooker French Onion Pork Chops have all the rich, savory flavor of French onion soup with with the ease of a crockpot pork chop recipe. Made with simple pantry ingredients, tender pork chops, beef broth, caramelized onions, and melty cheese, this recipe gives rich, savory comfort food with minimal fuss. A slow cooker pork chop recipe that is special enough for Sunday dinner but easy enough for a weeknight.
Crockpot French Onion Pork Chops
This slow cooker dinner recipe is not only packed with rich flavor, it’s also budget-friendly, family-approved, and perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen.
A quick sear locks in flavor while the pork chops slow cook in beef broth, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce for a deep, umami rich gravy. A layer of shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese melts over the top for the perfect finish.
Slow Cooker French Onion Pork Chops is an easy pork chop dinner recipe that pairs well with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice, or with a crusty piece of bread and a salad.
Why We Love This Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker Meal – Perfect dinner recipe for busy weeknights, or low-effort weekends.
Inspired by French Onion Soup – Great flavor! Rich caramelized onions, beefy broth, and melty cheese.
No Oven Needed – The slow cooker keeps the kitchen cool.
Comfort Food Favorite – Feels fancy but isn’t that hard to make.
Ingredients in Slow Cooker Pork Chops
• Pork Chops – Thick-cut works best for juicy results.
• Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder – Simple pantry seasonings.
• Olive Oil & Butter – For searing and caramelizing.
• Yellow Onions – Sliced thin for maximum caramelization.
• Worcestershire Sauce – Adds savory depth and umami.
• Fresh or Dried Thyme – Classic French herb.
• Beef Broth – Use low-sodium if desired.
• Shredded Gruyère or Swiss Cheese – For that iconic French onion soup topping.
• Cornstarch & Water – Optional, to thicken the sauce before serving.
Best Types of Pork Chops to Use
When making Crockpot French Onion Pork Chops, pork chop selection will affect the outcome.
Pork chops are lean, so with the long cook time of a crockpot they can easily overcook and dry out.
Choosing the right cut makes a big difference in how juicy, tender, and flavorful the final result turns out.
No matter the cut, searing the chops before slow cooking develops deeper flavor and a golden crust.
- HERE ARE THE BEST OPTIONS:
- Boneless Pork Chops
These are the most commonly used in slow cooker recipes. Look for thick-cut boneless chops, at least 1 to 1½ inches thick. Thicker chops are less likely to dry out during slow cooking and hold up better to searing beforehand. - Bone-In Pork Chops
For best flavor, bone-in chops are a great option. The bone helps insulate the meat and keeps it juicy while cooking. Make sure they fit in your crockpot and aren’t too thick (over 2 inches). - Thin-Cut Pork Chops
Avoid using thin pork chops (less than ¾ inch thick) in the slow cooker. They cook too quickly and can become dry or tough. If that’s all you have, adjust the cooking time or use a different cooking method, like pan-searing or baking. - Pro Tip:
For best results, choose center-cut loin chops with some marbling. The fat adds flavor and helps the meat stay moist.
Caramelized Onions Matter!
The key flavor in anything ‘French Onion’ is the caramelized onions, they’re the heart of that rich, savory, French onion flavor.
Slowly cooking the onions in butter transforms them, giving them a deep, sweet flavor that adds complexity and richness to the recipe.
- ONION TIPS
- Don’t Rush the Onions
You might be tempted to just toss raw onions into the slow cooker, please don’t. Just give them 15 minutes! Taking the time to caramelize them first is what makes this recipe so good. - Golden and Soft is Perfect
You don’t need to cook them until they’re dark brown. You’re just building amazing flavor. - Slice Thin for Faster Cooking
Cutting the onions thinly (about ⅛ to ¼ inch) helps them cook down more quickly and evenly. Stir frequently and be patient. - Swap in French Onion Soup
In a pinch, you can pour in a can of condensed French onion soup (like Campbell’s) instead of caramelizing onions. It adds a similar flavor profile—just be mindful of the salt content and omit the beef broth. Adjust seasoning as needed.
How to Make Slow Cooker French Onion Pork Chops
1) Sear the Pork Chops
Pat pork chops dry and season with salt & pepper. Sear in olive oil over medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove to a plate and set aside.
2) Caramelize the Onions
In the same skillet, add the butter and sliced onions. Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
3) Cook onions until soft and golden brown, not too dark.
4) Add Worcestershire sauce and stir.
5) Add onion powder and garlic powder to onions. Stir.
6) Layer half of the caramelized onions on the bottom of your slow cooker.
7) Place the seared pork chops on top of the onions.
8) Layer on the rest of the onions and sprinkle thyme over everything.
9) Pour in the beef broth.
10) Cover and cook on LOW for 2½-4 hours or HIGH for 1½-3 hours (depending on thickness/size of the cuts), or until the pork is fork-tender and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
11) Place a handful of cheese on top of each pork chop and close the lid. Let it sit about 5 minutes to melt.
12) Once the cheese is melted, remove the chops to a plate and loosely cover with foil.
13) Add cornstarch slurry to the broth and stir. Cover and turn to HIGH and let it thicken.
14) Serve over potatoes or noodles, etc. and spoon some of the gravy over the top.
What to Serve With Crock Pot French Onion Pork Chops
These delicious, savory pork chops pair well with:
• Mashed potatoes
• Egg noodles
• Garlic bread
• Roasted green beans or asparagus
• A simple green salad
Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew
Crock Pot Mississippi Pot Roast
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat on lower power in the microwave or on the stovetop, or air fryer, adding a splash of broth if needed to loosen the sauce.
Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
If you make Slow Cooker French Onion Pork Chops recipe, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. I’d love your thoughts!
Slow Cooker French Onion Pork Chops
Equipment
- 5-quart or larger Slow Cooker (I used a 6-quart)
- Sharp Knife
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
- 4 BonelessPork Chops (or bone-in ¾-inch -1-inch thick)
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 large Yellow Onions, sliced
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 sprigs Fresh Thyme (1 tsp dried)
- ¾ cup Beef Broth
- 1 cup Shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
Thicken
- 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
- 3 Tablespoons Water
Instructions
Prep
- Gather everything you will need. Slice the onions in half vertically, then slice the halves into half-moon slices (about ⅛ to ¼ inch).
Sear the Pork Chops
- Pat pork chops dry and season with salt & pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear pork chops 2–3 minutes per side until golden, but not done. Remove to a plate and set aside.
Caramelize the Onions
- In the same skillet, add butter and the onions. Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring often, until golden and soft.
- Add Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and stir.
Assemble in Slow Cooker
- Spread half of the caramelized onions on the bottom. Place seared pork chops on onions. Add remaining onions over the pork. Sprinkle thyme over everything and pour in the beef broth.
Slow Cook
- Cover and cook on LOW for 2 ½-4 hours or HIGH for 1 ½-3 hours (depending on thickness of the cuts), or until the pork is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
Add Cheese
- Sprinkle a handful of shredded cheese over the top of each pork chop. Cover and let melt for 5 minutes.
Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
- Remove pork chops briefly. Stir in cornstarch slurry and turn to HIGH for 5-10 minutes to thicken. Return pork chops to the slow cooker.
Serve
- Serve over mashed potatoes, noodles, etc. with some gravy spooned over the top.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I am cooking this now. Went out and bought a new slow cooker because my old one isn’t available to me now. I have a few suggestions. In the ingredients list, you say “2 large Yellow Onions”. But you don’t say what to do with them. In the cooking directions, you say “In the same skillet, add butter and the onions.”. I can see from the photos you took for the webpage that they are sliced. And they are silced vertically through the core, and then sliced into half-moon shapes. That should probably be explained in the actual recipe. Otherwise I love all your recipes and refer to them often! I get your emails and I know when you post new stuff and highlight old stuff!!
Hi Jim, thank you for pointing that out. I made a prep step to clarify the onion slicing. I appreciate your comment. Thank you for letting me know.
These were delicious! I gave some to my son who was home from college and he said they were worth the trip home, lol!