Best Apple Apricot Chops Crockpot Recipes

In today's fast-paced world, it is often challenging to find time to cook and have a nutritious meal. However, with the help of crockpot recipes, you can prepare a delicious meal without taking up too much of your time. One such recipe that has been gaining popularity is the apple apricot chops crockpot recipe. In this article, we will explore what this recipe is and its benefits.

What are apple apricot chops crockpot recipes?

Apple apricot chops crockpot recipes are a dish made by slow-cooking pork chops with a combination of apples and apricots in a crockpot. This dish is savory, sweet, and slightly sour, making it an excellent addition to your meal plan.

Ingredients

To make apple apricot chops crockpot recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• 4-6 boneless pork chops
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 cups sliced apples
• 1 cup dried apricots
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions

To make apple apricot chops crockpot recipe, follow these instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a pan.
2. Sear the pork chops on both sides until browned.
3. Add the chicken broth, sliced apples, dried apricots, honey, apple cider vinegar, fresh thyme, salt, and black pepper to the crockpot.
4. Add the seared pork chops to the crockpot.
5. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours.
6. Once the pork chops are cooked, remove them from the crockpot and set them aside.
7. Using an immersion blender, blend the sauce until smooth.
8. Return the pork chops to the crockpot and pour the blended sauce over them.
9. Cook for another 10-15 minutes.
10. Serve hot and enjoy!

Benefits of apple apricot chops crockpot recipes

Aside from being delicious, apple apricot chops crockpot recipes offer several benefits, including:

Convenient and time-saving

Crockpot recipes, in general, are an excellent choice for busy people who do not have the time to cook elaborate meals. Apple apricot chops crockpot recipe, in particular, is convenient since it only involves preparing the ingredients, throwing them in the crockpot, and letting them cook on their own. It also saves time since you can cook the meal while you attend to other activities.

Health benefits

Apple apricot chops crockpot recipe is a healthy meal option since it contains lean protein from the pork chops, vitamins from the apples, and fiber from the apricots. The dish is also low in calories, making it ideal for those watching their weight.

Versatile

One of the benefits of apple apricot chops crockpot recipe is that you can adapt it according to your preferences. For instance, you can use bone-in pork chops instead of boneless or substitute the apricots with other dried fruits like raisins or cranberries.

Conclusion

In conclusion, apple apricot chops crockpot recipe is a delicious and healthy meal option that is convenient, time-saving, and versatile. With the recipe and its benefits, you can prepare a mouth-watering meal that will leave you feeling satisfied and energized. So why not give it a try today?

Making apple apricot chops in a crockpot is an easy and delicious way to prepare a meal. It’s a dish that combines the sweetness of apples and apricots with the savory taste of pork chops, all cooked slowly in a crockpot. To make sure your apple apricot chops come out perfectly, here are some valuable tips to keep in mind.

Choose the Right Cut of Pork

When making apple apricot chops in a crockpot, the cut of pork you choose is important. Choose a cut that’s not too fatty, as the fat can become unpleasantly greasy as it cooks. A cut with some marbling is a good choice, like a pork loin chop or a boneless pork chop. Bone-in pork chops are also a good choice because they tend to be more flavorful and tender than boneless chops.

Season the Chops

Seasoning the pork chops is a crucial step in making delicious apple apricot chops. Before placing the pork chops in the crockpot, make sure to season them well with salt, pepper or your favorite seasoning blend. This will add depth of flavor to the dish and ensure that the meat is perfectly seasoned from the inside out.

Choose the Right Apples

Apples are an important ingredient in apple apricot chops, so it’s important to choose the right kind. Apples that are firm and slightly tart, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, hold up well in the slow-cooking process and add a nice balance of sweetness and acidity to the dish. Softer apples, like Red Delicious, can become mushy and should be avoided.

Cut the Apples into Even Pieces

To ensure that the apples cook evenly and are tender but not mushy in the finished dish, it’s important to cut them into even-sized pieces. Try to make the pieces roughly the same size and thickness, so they cook at the same rate in the crockpot.

Add the Apricots Near the End of Cooking Time

Apricots are a great addition to apple apricot chops, as their sweetness plays off the tartness of the apples and adds another layer of flavor to the dish. However, they can become too mushy if added at the beginning of the cooking process. To prevent this, add the apricots near the end of the cooking time, giving them just enough time to soften without losing their shape.

Cook the Chops on Low Heat

Crockpot recipes work best when cooked on low heat for an extended period. For apple apricot chops, cooking on low heat for 6-8 hours will result in perfectly tender and flavorful meat. Resist the temptation to turn up the heat or reduce the cooking time, as this will result in undercooked or tough meat.

Check the Temperature of the Meat

Before serving apple apricot chops, make sure to check the internal temperature of the pork using a meat thermometer. The USDA recommends cooking pork to an internal temperature of 145°F, so make sure the pork chops have reached this temperature before serving. This will ensure that the pork is safe to eat and at its most tender.

Add Fresh Herbs for Flavor

Fresh herbs are a great way to add extra flavor to apple apricot chops. Try adding thyme, rosemary or sage to the crockpot during the cooking process, for a fragrant and savory kick. Just be sure to remove any woody stems before serving.

Serve with the Right Side Dishes

Apple apricot chops pair well with a variety of side dishes. Try serving them with roasted or mashed sweet potatoes, a green salad with a fruity vinaigrette, or some sautéed green beans with garlic and lemon. The sweetness of the apple and apricot in the chops pairs well with a slightly bitter or acidic side dish, for a well-balanced meal.

Conclusion

Making apple apricot chops in a crockpot is an easy and delicious way to prepare a meal. By choosing the right cut of pork, seasoning the chops well, and adding the right ingredients at the right time, you can create a dish that’s full of flavor and nutrients. Serve your apple apricot chops with the right sides, and you’ll have a meal that’s both satisfying and healthy. Keep these valuable tips in mind, and you’ll be able to make apple apricot chops in a crockpot that are guaranteed to please.