Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Cranberries & Leeks Recipe | Cookin' Canuck (2024)

There is unbelievable flavor in these Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Cranberries and Leeks. Plus, it will make your kitchen smell fantastic!

There are times when a dish releases aromas that make you dream of dining at a fine restaurant, but when you actually take the first bite, your dreams disappear in a disappointing “poof”. Let me assure you that this is not one of those times. From the moment that I combined the pork chops, cranberries, leeks, rosemary and vermouth in the slow cooker, this recipe made promises of savory goodness. And it didn’t disappoint.

I have a soft spot for dry vermouth, as it is my mum’s drink of choice. When I say that, I don’t mean that she likes to mix it in martinis. Rather, I mean that she drinks it…straight, like someone might sip on whiskey. Except she always adds a stuffed green olive or two. When I was a kid, I always asked for a nibble of that boozy soaked olive when she finished her drink.

So, when that distinctive vermouth-y scent emanated from the slow cooker, an overwhelming feeling of comfort took over me. There’s just a quarter of a cup used in the recipe, which is just enough to add a layer of flavor without making the dish boozy. It’s the perfect foil for the tart cranberries and mellow leeks.

If you haven’t cooked with leeks before, please don’t be intimidated. They make look a little perplexing, but they’re a cinch to clean and cut. If you’re not sure how to tackle them, refer to my post on How to: Prepare a Leek for step-by-step instructions.

When I post slow cooker recipes, typically I receive emails and comments, asking whether it’s necessary to brown the meat and sauté the vegetables before placing them in the slow cooker. It’s not absolutely necessary – the veggies and meat will still cook through – but those few extras minutes of prep will add an extra layer of flavor to your dish. Well worth it, in my opinion.

Serve this up with some roasted potatoes and an extra vegetable for a satisfying, healthy meal.

Other healthy slow cooker recipes:

Cookin' Canuck's Slow Cooker Chipotle Lentil Soup with Avocado
Cookin' Canuck's Slow Cooker Hoisin Chicken
Well Plated's Slow Cooker Yogurt Chicken Shawarma
Ambitious Kitchen's Black Bean, Quinoa & Chicken Tortilla Soup
Healthy Slow Cooking's Butternut Squash & Kale Lo Mein

Printable Recipe

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