Crockpot Comfort: A Family-Favorite Ranch Pork Chop and Potato Recipe
This recipe isn't just another dish – it's a testament to slow cooker magic and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops and Potatoes offer a symphony of flavors and textures, all achieved with minimal effort. Tender pork chops bathed in a savory ranch sauce cuddle up with melt-in-your-mouth potatoes, creating a dish that is both comforting and satisfying. Best of all, it's a family-approved recipe that will have them begging for more!
Ingredients:
- The Star of the Show - The Pork Chops:
- 4 bone-in pork chops (about 1-inch thick) - Bone-in pork chops add extra flavor and help keep the meat moist during cooking.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- The Bed of Comfort - The Potatoes:
- 2 pounds red potatoes, quartered (about 4 cups) - Russet potatoes can be substituted, but red potatoes tend to hold their shape better in slow cooker meals.
- The Flavorful Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- The Finishing Touch - Buttery Goodness
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
Instructions:
- Searing for Optional Flavor (Optional): Heat a drizzle of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork chops for 1-2 minutes per side, or until lightly browned. This step is optional, but adds a nice depth of flavor to the finished dish.
- Crafting the Flavorful Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, ranch dressing mix, and apple cider vinegar. This simple mixture will become the base for the flavorful sauce.
- Layering in the Slow Cooker: Add the quartered red potatoes to the bottom of your slow cooker. Nestle the seared pork chops (or unseared, if you opted to skip that step) on top of the potatoes. Pour the prepared ranch dressing mixture over everything, ensuring the pork chops and potatoes are evenly coated.
- The Magic of Butter: Distribute the cubed butter over the top of the ingredients in the slow cooker. The butter will melt as it cooks, adding richness and flavor to the dish.
- Low and Slow for Perfect Results: Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours. The low and slow approach allows the flavors to meld beautifully and ensures the pork chops become tender and juicy, while the potatoes cook through to soft perfection.
- The Finishing Touches: Once the cooking time is complete, use tongs to carefully transfer the pork chops and potatoes to a serving dish. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, and enjoy!
Tips:
- For thicker or bone-in pork chops, adjust the cooking time accordingly. You may need to cook on LOW for an additional hour or so.
- If you don't have apple cider vinegar, you can substitute with white vinegar or lemon juice.
- Chopped fresh herbs, like parsley or chives, can be sprinkled over the dish before serving for an extra pop of flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
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