Finding an easy weeknight dinner that actually tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen can feel like a challenge, but these 5-ingredient BBQ pork chops are about to change your evening routine. We know that life gets busy, and the last thing you want to do after a long day is stare at a pantry full of ingredients wondering where to start. That is why our 5 ingredient dinners focus on maximum flavor with minimal effort. By combining the smoky profile of your favorite barbecue sauce with the subtle sweetness of fruit preserves, you create a complex glaze that coats tender, juicy pork chops perfectly. Whether you are feeding a hungry family or just looking for a simple, high-quality meal for yourself, this recipe delivers a classic American BBQ experience right in your own kitchen without the need for a smoker or a backyard grill.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in pork chops (about 1 inch thick)
- 18 ounces BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 18 ounces apricot preserves
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce Base: In a medium bowl or directly in your slow cooker, combine the BBQ sauce, apricot preserves, and the packet of onion soup mix. Stir these three together until the preserves are well incorporated into the sauce. This mixture creates a thick, savory, and sweet base that will tenderize the meat as it cooks.
- Season the Pork: Lay your bone-in pork chops out on a clean surface. Sprinkle the garlic powder evenly over both sides of each chop. Use your fingers to gently rub the garlic powder into the meat to ensure it sticks.
- Layer the Flavors: Place the seasoned pork chops into the bottom of the slow cooker. If you need to overlap them slightly, that is fine. Pour the sauce mixture over the top of the chops, using a large spoon to ensure every inch of the meat is covered.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Set it to "Low" and cook for 4 to 6 hours. You are looking for an internal temperature of 145°F. Cooking them on low ensures the connective tissue in the bone-in chops breaks down, resulting in a fork-tender finish.
- Rest and Serve: Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the chops from the slow cooker. Let them rest on a plate for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute. Spoon some of the extra sauce from the pot over the top before digging in.
Why You'll Love This
You are going to love this recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between sweet, salty, and savory. In the world of 5 ingredient dinners, the "secret sauce" is often a combination of items you already have in your pantry. The apricot preserves might sound like a surprise, but they act as a thickener and a sweetener that cuts through the tang of the BBQ sauce. When combined with the savory notes of the onion soup mix, you get a glaze that tastes like a professional chef spent the afternoon reducing a house-made sauce.
Another reason this is a go-to easy weeknight dinner is the texture of the meat. By using bone-in pork chops, you retain more moisture and flavor than you would with boneless cuts. The slow-cooking process allows the meat to absorb the aromatics from the garlic and onion, making every bite consistent. It is a "set it and forget it" meal that yields high-end results, which is exactly what Easy Dinners For You is all about.
If you're a fan of this style of cooking, you should also check out our slow cooker dinners for more inspiration on how to save time while keeping quality high.
Tips for Success
To get the best results with these BBQ pork chops, consider these professional-style tips for your home kitchen:
- Don't Overcook: Even in a slow cooker, pork can become dry if left in for too long. Start checking the internal temperature around the 4-hour mark. 145°F is the sweet spot for juicy pork.
- The Bone Matters: We highly recommend bone-in chops for this specific recipe. The bone helps conduct heat and adds a deeper flavor profile to the sauce as it simmers. If you must use boneless, reduce your cooking time by about an hour to prevent drying.
- Sear for Extra Flavor: If you have an extra five minutes, sear the pork chops in a hot skillet with a splash of oil for 2 minutes per side before putting them in the slow cooker. This "Maillard reaction" creates a crust that adds another layer of texture and savory flavor.
- Sauce Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce at the end, you can pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan and simmer it on the stove for 10 minutes to reduce it while the meat rests. This creates a sticky, finger-licking glaze.
For more pork-specific ideas, visit our pork dinners section.
Variations
One of the best things about simple recipes is how easy they are to customize. While the apricot preserves provide a classic sweetness, you can easily swap them out to change the vibe of the meal. Try using grape jelly for a deeper, more "purple" sweetness that is popular in classic American meatball recipes, or use peach preserves for a Southern-style twist.
If you like a bit of heat, choose a "spicy" or "habanero" BBQ sauce to contrast with the sweet preserves. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes into the sauce mixture if you want to kick it up a notch without buying a whole new bottle of sauce. For those who prefer a smokier profile, a "hickory" or "mesquite" BBQ sauce works wonders here.
If you find yourself without a slow cooker one day, this recipe can be adapted for the oven. Simply place the seasoned chops and sauce in a covered baking dish and bake at 350°F for about 25-30 minutes, or until the pork reaches that safe 145°F internal temperature. If you want more variety in your cooking methods, see our one-pan dinners or our air fryer dinners.
Serving Suggestions
Since the sauce in this recipe is so flavorful and abundant, you will want to serve these pork chops with sides that can soak up the extra glaze. A pile of creamy mashed potatoes or a simple scoop of white rice works perfectly as a base.
For a lighter option, consider a quick slaw made with shredded cabbage and a light vinegar dressing. The acidity of the slaw cuts through the richness of the BBQ sauce beautifully. If you are keeping things traditional, a side of steamed green beans or roasted corn on the cob rounds out the meal with a classic American feel.
If you are looking for more quick and delicious options for your rotation, don't forget to explore our chicken dinners or our beef dinners. We are dedicated to making sure your table is always full of food that is easy to make and impossible to resist.
Cooking doesn't have to be complicated to be great. With just five ingredients and a little bit of time, you can have a gourmet-level meal ready for your family any night of the week. Enjoy your BBQ pork chops and the extra time you saved in the kitchen!