Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Brown Sugar Pork Chops

These slow-cooked pork chops are coated in a glossy, golden-brown honey mustard and brown sugar glaze that turns rich and savory as it cooks. The combination of tangy mustard, sweet honey, brown sugar, and tender pork makes this an easy comfort-food dinner with plenty of flavor. Similar slow-cooker pork recipes use honey and mustard sauces and recommend checking the pork by temperature rather than relying only on cooking time. (Food Network)

Ingredients

4 boneless pork chops, about ¾–1 inch thick
⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
¼ cup honey
¼ cup Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chicken broth or water
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
Fresh parsley, optional, for garnish

Directions

1. Prepare the Pork Chops

Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides lightly with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.

For thicker chops, trim away any excess fat around the edges if desired.

2. Make the Honey Mustard Glaze

In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and chicken broth.

Keep whisking until the brown sugar begins to dissolve and the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.

The combination of honey and brown sugar provides the sweetness, while the mustard and Worcestershire sauce keep the glaze from tasting overly sweet.

3. Prepare the Slow Cooker

Lightly grease a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray or a small amount of butter.

Arrange the pork chops in the bottom in a single layer if possible.

4. Add the Glaze

Pour the honey mustard mixture evenly over the pork chops.

Use a spoon or spatula to spread the glaze over the tops so that every chop is coated.

Dot the top with small pieces of butter.

5. Slow Cook

Cover the slow cooker with the lid.

Cook on:

LOW for approximately 4–6 hours
HIGH for approximately 2–3 hours

Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the pork chops and your particular slow cooker. Avoid cooking them substantially longer than necessary because lean boneless chops can become dry.

The pork should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), followed by a 3-minute rest.

6. Make the Glaze Thicker

Once the pork is cooked, carefully transfer the chops to a plate and cover loosely with foil.

Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water in a small bowl until completely smooth.

Stir the mixture into the hot sauce in the slow cooker.

Turn the slow cooker to HIGH, cover, and cook for approximately 10–15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze. Adding a cornstarch slurry at the end is a common way to thicken slow-cooker pork sauces. (Salt & Lavender)

7. Coat the Pork

Return the pork chops to the slow cooker and spoon the thickened honey mustard glaze generously over each one.

Let them sit in the sauce for 2–3 minutes before serving.

8. Serve

Transfer the pork chops to serving plates and spoon plenty of the golden-brown glaze over the top.

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

What to Serve With Honey Mustard Pork Chops

The sweet-savory glaze is especially good with:

Creamy mashed potatoes
Buttered egg noodles
Steamed white rice
Roasted potatoes
Green beans
Glazed carrots
Steamed broccoli
Corn on the cob
Dinner rolls

The sauce is delicious spooned over mashed potatoes or rice, so don’t leave any of it behind!

Tips for Tender Pork Chops

Don’t skip the thermometer. Pork is safely cooked at 145°F (63°C) followed by a 3-minute rest, and a thermometer is more reliable than judging doneness by cooking time alone.

Use thick-cut chops when possible. They tend to stay juicier during slow cooking than very thin chops.

Don’t drown the pork in extra liquid. The chops release juices as they cook, so you only need enough liquid to create the glaze.

Thicken the sauce at the end. This produces a much richer, stickier coating rather than a thin sauce.

Want deeper flavor? Quickly sear the pork chops in a hot skillet for about 2–3 minutes per side before placing them in the slow cooker. Searing is optional but can add extra browning and flavor. (Ricardo)

Easy Variations

Garlic Honey Mustard Pork Chops

Add another 1–2 cloves of minced garlic for a stronger savory flavor.

Spicy Honey Mustard Pork

Add ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or a little hot sauce to the glaze.

Apple Honey Mustard Pork

Add thinly sliced apples around the pork chops. Apples pair particularly well with honey-mustard pork. (Food Network)

Creamy Honey Mustard Pork

After removing the cooked pork, stir 2–3 tablespoons of heavy cream into the thickened sauce for a richer finish.

Extra-Golden Finish

For a more caramelized appearance, place the cooked pork chops on a baking sheet, brush generously with the reduced glaze, and broil briefly until the surface becomes deeply golden. Watch closely because the honey and brown sugar can brown quickly.