And I am going to show you two easy methods: low & slow in your crock pot or quick in your instant pot. My Islander pork chops has the sweet and spicy island vibe going on with every bite. It’s smothered in a sauce that is created with a few unsuspecting culprits that you would never think to put together. This is one comfort meal you are going to add to your rotation for its simplicity and stress free cooking. How many of you feel like saying “Alexa, cook me some delicious meal tonight”? It could be you… a mother like me, tired from running after her toddler… a single bachelor working 14 hours a day… or some retired person done with cooking. Well, guys, Alexa is still not yet capable of cooking for us. But you probably already have something in your kitchen that can do some great things for you, your very own crock pot or instant pot. All of us deserve some easy nights like this. Give it just 10 minutes of your precious time, then do whatever else you feel like doing today. This recipe is called Islander Pork, and comes from a Crock Pot cookbook my mother-in-law got about 30 years ago. It’s still a family favorite. But sometimes I get so caught up with other things, by the time I get around to starting it it’s too late for the slow cooker. That’s why I have also adapted it for instant pot as well!
What kind of pork chops to use
Most of the times pork chops tend to dry out, as they’re pretty lean. But there are ways around to make them tender and juicy, if you buy the right type. I always say choose your pork chops wisely. The most delicious, tender results come from bone-in, thicker chops with nice marbling throughout the meat. Look for shoulder or blade chops with more fat. If you put some lean meat, I’m afraid it ain’t giving you fork tender chops in the end. You can use thick boneless chops in a pinch. So one mantra for cooking pork chops in a crock pot or instant pot:The more marbled & fatty the pork = more fork tender pork in your mouth.
Ingredients Needed
Pork chops – Remember, thick bone-in chops are best. I do use the same recipe on Boston butt or shoulder roasts, great for some pulled pork tacos or burritos. Ketchup – Yes, tomato ketchup adds great tang to the sauce. Orange juice – Some citrussy tang. Honey – There is your sweetness. Soy sauce – How can I miss some umami flavor here? Lime juice – Loads of flavor profile in this one. Spices – Paprika and whole cloves. Kitchen Bouquet – Optional, but enhances the flavor. Salt – To taste.
Slow Cooker method
First, a few tips:
I Cook them slow and low, that helps the fat to melt into the meat, creating a juicy tender texture. Do not over cook them, they may dry out. All slow cookers cook differently, so the first time you try out this recipe, keep an eye on your meat towards the end, and then adapt to that cooking time henceforth. Use the cooking time here as a general guideline. You can add an additional layer of flavor if you first sear each side of the chops in a pan. I usually skip this step, as I like it simple and don’t want extra dishes. Believe me, it’s great either way!
I start by making the sauce, combining all the ingredients except the pork. Once the sauce is ready, I lightly coat the crock pot with oil to prevent sticking. Then, I place the pork chops in the bottom of the crock pot and pour the sauce evenly over the chops, making sure they’re well coated. I cover the crock pot and cook the pork chops for 5-6 hours on low heat. Low heat really brings out the tenderness, but if I’m short on time, I cook them on high for 2-3 hours. I just make sure to keep an eye on them, as they can dry out if left too long. Very soon you are going to be greeted with some amazing aromas in your home. Didn’t I tell you it’s easy? Yet those chops are flavor bombs smothered in different sweet, tangy, spicy and umami flavors.
Instant Pot Method
This method is just as easy. I mix up the sauce, but this time I add an extra 1/4 cup of water. After lightly greasing the Instant Pot, I place the pork chops inside and cover them with the sauce. I set the manual time on HIGH for 10 minutes and press start. The whole process takes about 30 minutes since the Instant Pot needs around 10 minutes to pressurize, and I let it naturally de-pressurize for another 10 minutes after cooking. Optionally, you can first sear each side of pork chop on sauté mode for 2-3 minutes a side. This does add a little additional layer of flavor, but usually I just keep it simple and skip this step. It still turns out great!
Serving Suggestions
Variations
The idea is just cook an easy meal with whatever you find that day. You can experiment with some garlic powder or onion powder. Some days I throw in some other dried herbs like parsley, thyme, oregano and basil, or even rosemary… all or one at a time. You can even try some other meat all together and keep the same islander sauce. Try bone in chicken legs or thighs. Some short ribs cooked in the same sauce would be amazing too. I’m glad you found this super simple pork chop recipe that you are sure to love. Get that crock pot (or instant pot) cooking for you! You deserve a break my friend! Have a great relaxing evening…
Crock Pot Pork Chops, AKA Islander Pork, on my Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
Try some of our other easy, yet tasty, comfort foods!Grillades & GritsCreamy Lemon ChickenItalian Sausage BakeWelsh RarebitGrilled Cheese Tomato SoupShrimp and GritsGreek White Bean SoupZuppa Toscana
