Slow Cooker Pepper Pork Chops

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2006

Show: Good EatsEpisode: Major Pepper

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (135)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(135)

Cook Time:
6 hr 20 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: 8 hr 0 min
Cook: 6 hr 20 min
Total:: 14 hr 40 min

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Ingredients

2 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons black peppercorns, slightly crushed
1 pound ice
4 (1 to 1 1/2-inch thick) bone-in pork chops
2 teaspoons kosher salt
3 ounces dried apple slices
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, julienned
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme

Directions

Combine the vegetable broth, 1/2 cup kosher salt, brown sugar and peppercorns in a medium saucepan and set over medium-high heat. Cook just until the salt and sugar dissolve, then remove from the heat and add the ice. Place the pork chops into a 2-gallon zip-top bag along with the mixture and seal. Place in a plastic container and refrigerate overnight.

Remove the chops from the brine, rinse, and pat dry. Season on both sides with the kosher salt and set aside

Place the apples in the slow cooker.

Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a 12-inch stainless steel saute pan over medium-high heat. Saute the pork chops on both sides until golden brown, approximately 5 to 6 minutes per side. Once browned, place the pork chops into the slow cooker atop the apples.

Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan followed by the onions and saute until they begin to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chicken broth to the pan to deglaze. Add the black pepper and thyme and stir to combine. Transfer this to the slow cooker, set to high, cover and cook for 1 1/2 hours. Decrease the heat to low and continue cooking for another 4 hours and 30 minutes or until the pork is tender and falling away from the bone.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Slow Cooker Pepper Pork Chops
John Cottontown, TN 01-14-2010
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Answer: Got a quick question about this recipe.
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

The ice in the brine is to cool it back off after heating it all to dissolve. You dont want to add the meat right away or it... will start to cook and not brine. The 1lb of ice = 1pint of water so it also helps dilute the solution a little else it would be too strong.Read more
recipe Slow Cooker Pepper Pork Chops
Janet Whitehouse, OH 01-11-2010
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a little to salty
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

It was a little salty.. I would cut the salt down next time....we used beef instead like he suggested on the... program.....tasted great except a little too salty..we don't use much salt around here so we are more senistive to the salt.... I will make it again using 1/3 cup kosher salt..instead...the peppery taste was great...Read more
recipe Slow Cooker Pepper Pork Chops
Marlynn Fort Pierce, FL 12-28-2009
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Don't bother
Rated: 1 stars out of 5

It was bland and the pork lost its flavor and was tasteless. Certainly wasn't necessary to brine as the meat was fallling... apart and couldn't be dry in all that sauce.Read more
recipe Slow Cooker Pepper Pork Chops
Betty Manville, NJ 12-28-2009
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Got a quick question about this recipe.
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I went ahead and rated it because knowing Alton's reputation for creating really good eats, I just guessed it would be OK. ... Anyway, I want to try this recipe but I'd like to know if anyone can tell me what the ice is for. I have brined stuff many times and have never used ice in the brine. Anxiously waiting for a reply before I go out shopping for ingredients. Thanks! BettyRead more
recipe Slow Cooker Pepper Pork Chops
June Nashville, TN 12-26-2009
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Absolutely Wonderful!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made these pork chops by following the recipe exactly. I was concerned about saltiness based on others reviews, but the... season was right - not too salty and not too peppery. Highly recommended.Read more
recipe Slow Cooker Pepper Pork Chops
Margaret Chicago, IL 12-19-2009
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Picky Eater Approved
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I tried this recipe tonight and I have a very very picky eater. He won't eat anything that is not easily identifiable AND he... quizzes me on what is in everything I make that isn't fried meat. I made this and he raved about it! It's on the keeper list. It was a bit salty but I think just not salting the chops prior to cooking or reducing the added salt will help. I may also try adding apple juice instead of apples as suggested in another comment. Read more