Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops

My effortless recipe creates the creamiest, tangiest and tastiest pork chops in the slow cooker. I use a packet of Hidden Valley ranch seasoning and evaporated milk to make this an easy “fix it and forget it” crock pot pork chops dinner without canned soup. These Crockpot ranch pork chops with cream cheese have an ultra-rich, creamy gravy sauce ideal for spooning over your sides like mashed potatoes, green beans, rice, or cauliflower rice for a complete comforting meal.

The Best Hidden Valley Ranch Pork Chop Recipe

Tangy, creamy, and terrifically rich – Hidden Valley ranch pork chops made in the slow cooker check all of the boxes for a classic comfort food recipe.

I skip the canned soup and instead make these Crockpot ranch pork chops with cream cheese and evaporated milk. The result is a remarkably tasty, completely satisfying dish that’s perfect for serving with any number of your favorite sides!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Pork chops – See notes below for choosing the right cut.
  
• Evaporated milk – This is thicker and creamier than regular milk, making it a good choice for this recipe. You can substitute it with heavy cream or half and half.
  
• Hidden Valley Ranch packet – You can easily buy this in groceries or online.
  
• Chicken bouillon – It adds flavor and depth to the recipe. If you don’t have one. You can also use chicken broth or stock instead.
  
• Corn starch (optional) – This is used to thicken the sauce. Omit this if you prefer a thinner sauce.

To keep your pork chops tender and moist, instead of tough and dry, it’s important to choose the right cut of meat. Here’s what to look for:

• A bone-in, thicker (3/4″ – 1″) chop with great marbling throughout.
• Look for those labeled center cut, blade chop, shoulder chop or sirloin chop at the store.
• If you need help at the store, let them know you are looking for pork chops for slow cooking.
• Lean cuts of pork chops do not work well in this recipe. Since they won’t give you the same tender results, you should definitely choose a cut with a bit of fat and marbling on it for making Hidden Valley ranch pork chops in the slow cooker.

How to Make Crockpot Hidden Valley Ranch Pork Chops with Cream Cheese

This recipe is known as a “dump and go” dish because of how terrifically easy it is to make. What is “dump and go?” Basically, all of the ingredients are loaded into the crock of a slow cooker, then the time is set, and you leave the Crockpot alone to work its magic. There is no pre-cooking (such as searing on the stovetop) necessary!

What if I want to sear my pork chops first?

This is a “dump and go” recipe, but if you have the time consider searing the pork chops first. First, it gives the pork a beautiful golden crust for a beautiful presentation. Second, who can resist that added flavor boost that seared meat provides?

If you are looking for a highly rated slow cooker, this is the slow cooker I use. Some of the featured I like best are:

• This slow cooker has a lid with a locking latches that are really handy for transporting the crock pot to events like potlucks and BBQs. Plus it keeps the heat in really well during cooking and during warming.
• It also has a probe that lets you know when a roast or meal is at the perfect temperature. Then it turns the cooking cycle to the warm mode.
• Since it’s digital, as soon as the cooking cycle is over, it defaults to the warm setting keeping your food at the right temperature until you are ready to serve the meal.

Preparing the Pork Chops in 3 Easy Steps

Here are the 3 easy steps for making the most mouthwatering ranch pork chops in the slow cooker:

1. Firstly, place the pork in the crock of your slow cooker. In a medium bowl combine the evaporated milk, Hidden Valley ranch seasoning packet, and chicken bouillon.
2. Then, pour the evaporated milk mixture over the pork chops, and cover with the lid. Cook on LOW for 3-5 hours.
3. When the pork chops have reached 145ºF, remove them from the slow cooker to a plate. Add the cream cheese to the Crock pot, stirring until it melts into a rich, creamy sauce.

Pro Tip: I recommend cooking these pork chops on the low setting in the Crockpot. Cooking the right marbled chops low and slow allows the fat to keep the meat tender and juicy. So, I recommend using the low setting for the absolute best results.

Frequently Asked Questions