My mother relies on this lazy 4 ingredient weekend meal. The bright and zesty flavors will have everyone begging for seconds at your next family brunch.

This slow cooker 4-ingredient lemon pepper pork chops recipe is exactly the kind of lazy weekend meal my mom leaned on when I was growing up in the Midwest. It’s the kind of bright, zesty, no-fuss dish you can toss together before soccer practice or a Target run, then forget about until the house smells amazing. Thick-cut pork chops simmer low and slow in a buttery lemon pepper sauce that turns into glossy, golden drippings—perfect for spooning over everything on your brunch table. With only four ingredients and almost no prep, it’s a practical, family-friendly recipe that still feels special enough for a relaxed Sunday brunch.

These lemon pepper pork chops are perfect for a casual family brunch or easy weekend dinner. Serve them over creamy mashed potatoes, buttery rice, or cheesy grits so all those citrusy drippings have something to soak into. Add a simple side of roasted asparagus, green beans, or a crisp green salad to balance the richness. Warm dinner rolls, biscuits, or crusty bread are great for mopping up the sauce. For brunch, pair with scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes, and a fruit salad, plus coffee or mimosas to round everything out.

Servings: 4

4 thick-cut bone-in pork chops (about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick, 2 to 2 1/2 pounds total)

Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. This helps them brown slightly in the slow cooker and keeps the sauce from getting too watery.

In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the melted butter, lemon juice, and lemon pepper seasoning until well combined. The mixture should look like a glossy, golden yellow sauce with visible black pepper specks.

Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick spray or a thin layer of butter to make cleanup easier.

Place the pork chops in a single layer in the bottom of the slow cooker. If they overlap slightly, that’s fine, but try to keep them mostly flat so they cook evenly.

Pour the lemon pepper butter mixture evenly over the pork chops, making sure each chop is coated and some of the sauce pools around the edges.

Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, or on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the pork chops are tender and reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C). Thicker chops may need a bit more time; check toward the shorter end of the cooking window.

Once done, carefully lift the pork chops out of the slow cooker with a spatula or tongs—they will be very tender—and transfer them to a serving plate.

Stir the buttery lemon drippings left in the slow cooker, then spoon the glossy sauce over the pork chops so they glisten with the golden yellow glaze and visible black pepper. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to keep them juicy.

Serve warm with extra sauce on the side so everyone can drizzle more over their pork chops and any sides.

For a slightly creamier version, whisk 1/4 cup heavy cream into the hot drippings at the end and let it sit for a few minutes to thicken before spooning over the pork chops. If you like extra brightness, add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the butter mixture before cooking, or garnish the finished chops with thin lemon slices and chopped fresh parsley. For more heat, stir 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes into the sauce. If you prefer boneless pork chops, choose thick-cut ones and reduce the cook time slightly; start checking for doneness about 30 minutes earlier so they don’t dry out. To bulk this into a one-pot meal, scatter baby potatoes or thick carrot coins in the bottom of the slow cooker before adding the pork, then pour the sauce over everything. Food safety tips: Always thaw pork chops completely in the refrigerator before cooking; do not cook from frozen in the slow cooker, as it can keep the meat in the temperature danger zone too long. Use a meat thermometer to confirm the pork reaches at least 145°F (63°C) in the thickest part, then let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking in a shallow container, and reheat gently until steaming hot. Discard any leftover sauce that has been sitting out at room temperature with the serving platter.