My neighbor swears by this trick for busy weeknights. Just 4 ingredients sealed in foil so the meat falls apart perfectly and the juices make their own rich gravy.

This is the kind of no-fuss, weeknight recipe my Midwest neighbors and I trade over the fence. Four ingredients, a roll of foil, and your slow cooker do all the work. The pork chops and potatoes seal up in individual packets, trapping steam so the meat turns fork-tender and the juices stay put, creating their own rich gravy as they cook. It’s very much in the spirit of old-fashioned “hobo packets” from campfire cooking, just adapted for a slow cooker and busy schedules.

Serve the pork chops and potatoes straight from the foil packets, spooning all those savory juices over the top. A simple green side keeps the plate balanced—think steamed green beans, a crisp salad with a tangy vinaigrette, or sautéed broccoli. Warm dinner rolls or a crusty baguette are great for sopping up the gravy. If you want to stretch the meal, add a quick side of coleslaw or sliced tomatoes with a pinch of salt and pepper for color and freshness.

Servings: 4

4 bone-in pork chops, about 1-inch thick (6–8 ounces each)

Prepare the slow cooker and foil: Lightly spray the inside of a large slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray for easier cleanup. Tear off 4 large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil, each about 12–14 inches long, and set them on the counter.

Season the soup mixture: In a medium bowl, stir together the condensed cream of mushroom soup and the dry onion soup mix until well combined. This thick mixture will season both the pork and the potatoes and will thin into a rich gravy as it cooks.

Assemble the foil packets: Divide the cubed potatoes evenly among the 4 sheets of foil, piling them in the center of each sheet. Place one pork chop on top of each mound of potatoes.

Add the gravy base: Spoon 2–3 generous tablespoons of the soup mixture over each pork chop, letting some of it fall down over the potatoes. Use the back of the spoon to spread it loosely over the meat and vegetables so everything gets a bit of coverage.

Seal the foil tightly: Bring the long sides of each foil sheet up and over the pork chop, then fold them together several times to create a tight seam. Fold up the short ends to seal the packets completely. The goal is to trap steam so the pork becomes very tender and the juices stay inside to form a natural gravy.

Load the slow cooker: Arrange the sealed foil packets in the slow cooker, stacking as needed but keeping them level so the juices don’t leak out. Cover the slow cooker with its lid.

Cook until tender: Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours, or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are very tender and the pork chops are cooked through and easily pull apart with a fork. Avoid opening the lid during cooking so the heat and steam stay consistent.

Rest and check doneness: Turn off the slow cooker and let the packets rest for about 5 minutes. Carefully remove one packet, open it away from your face to avoid the hot steam, and check that the pork has reached at least 145°F in the thickest part and that the potatoes are soft when pierced with a fork.

Serve with the juices: Open each packet just before serving and transfer the pork chops and potatoes to plates or shallow bowls. Spoon all the collected juices and thickened gravy from the foil over the top. Taste and, if desired, add a small pinch of salt or pepper at the table, keeping in mind the soup mix is already salty.

To keep this true to the spirit of the original 4-ingredient trick, I recommend making any changes by swapping, not adding. For a different flavor profile, you can use condensed cream of chicken or cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom, or try a different dry soup mix such as a beefy onion blend. If you prefer boneless pork chops, choose chops that are at least 1-inch thick so they don’t dry out; start checking for tenderness about 30 minutes earlier, as they often cook a bit faster. Yukon Gold potatoes hold their shape a little better than russets and stay a lovely golden color; sweet potatoes also work nicely if you like a slightly sweeter, autumnal note. For those watching sodium, look for reduced-sodium condensed soup and a low-sodium onion soup mix, and taste before adding any extra salt at the table. Food safety notes: Always keep raw pork refrigerated until you’re ready to assemble the packets, and wash your hands and any surfaces that touch raw meat. Use heavy-duty foil to prevent tearing and potential leaks. Make sure the pork reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F, measured with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the chop, and refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking; reheat gently until steaming hot before eating.