I Used to Love This—Until I Tracked the Carbs
The first time I made this classic “Pinterest” ranch pork chop recipe, I followed the crowd: pork, ranch packet, olive oil, and a ton of red potatoes. What I got? A carb overload and a blood sugar spike that wiped me out for hours.
Then I saw how Gordon Ramsay layers flavor—and realized the potatoes were dead weight. So I rewired it for keto, kept the sear (because Gordon would absolutely yell at me if I didn’t), and made smart swaps that still feel like real food.
🔥 Why It’s Better Than the OG Crockpot Version
- We still sear the pork for that deep Maillard crust—because boiled pork is a tragedy.
- Turnips and cauliflower stand in for potatoes without falling apart or wrecking your macros.
- Butter melts on top, not mixed in—keeps the ranch flavor clean and lush.
- Vinegar cuts the fat so it tastes balanced, not greasy.
- No weird aftertaste or limp textures—just keto food that actually satisfies.
🧾 What Packs Flavor Without the Carbs
- 170g boneless pork chops – Go thick. Thin chops dry out even faster in the slow cooker.
- 2 cups cauliflower florets – Low in carbs, soaks up the ranch and butter like a sponge. Don’t over-chop.
- 1.5 cups peeled turnips, chopped – Slightly sweet, firm texture. Closest to potato mouthfeel without the starch hit.
- 120ml olive oil – Carries ranch seasoning deep into the veg and meat.
- 2 tbsp dry ranch seasoning – Find a blend without added sugar or maltodextrin.
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar – Adds brightness and balance to the richness.
- 30g butter, cubed – Dot on top so it melts slowly and keeps everything moist.
- Salt + cracked black pepper – At the end only, because ranch seasoning brings salt.
🔁 Keto Swaps That Actually Work
Swap | Carb Comparison | Notes |
---|---|---|
Red potatoes → Turnips | ~26g vs ~8g per cup | Holds up better than radish, more structure |
Add cauliflower | ~5g net per cup | Adds volume, soaks flavor, barely any carbs |
Ranch mix → homemade | 0–2g per tbsp | Control ingredients—ditch maltodextrin or starches |
Other optional add-ins:
- Whole garlic cloves (2–3) – roast down into creamy gold
- A sprinkle of Parmesan near the end – amps up the umami
- Bone-in chops – more flavor, just longer cook time
⚠️ Keto Missteps and How I Fixed Them
What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
---|---|---|
Mushy cauliflower | Overcooked or cut too small | Keep florets chunky, check doneness early |
Greasy sauce | No acid to cut the fat | Always include the vinegar |
Pork was dry | Skipped the sear | Always brown first—locks in moisture and flavor |
Too salty | Ranch + butter + added salt | Wait to salt until after cooking |
👩🍳 How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
- Sear the pork in a hot pan (cast iron = gold). 2 minutes per side. Don’t crowd the pan.
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, ranch seasoning, and apple cider vinegar.
- Add cauliflower florets and chopped turnips to the crockpot.
- Lay seared pork chops on top. Pour ranch mixture over everything. Toss gently.
- Dot cubed butter across the top. Don’t mix it in.
- Cover and cook:
- HIGH: ~3 hours
- LOW: 5–6 hours
- Check internal temp (63°C / 145°F) and veggie tenderness.
- Rest the pork 5 minutes before serving. Season with salt + pepper only after tasting.

🧠 Keto Cooking Tricks That Help
- I cut my turnips slightly smaller than the cauliflower so they cook evenly.
- If my ranch mix tastes flat raw, I add a pinch of garlic powder and smoked paprika.
- Want crispy tops? Broil everything for 3–4 minutes after crockpot cooking.
🧊 How I Store and Track It
- Fridge: 3 days max. Cauliflower gets soggy after that.
- Freeze: Fine for up to 2 months. Freeze in meal portions.
- Reheat: Skillet + splash of broth = way better than microwave.
Tracking tip: I divide the whole batch into 4 equal servings. Each one clocks in around 5–6g net carbs depending on your ranch mix.
❓ Real Keto Questions, Real Answers
Can I use bone-in pork chops?
Yes. Juicier and more flavor. Add 30–45 mins cook time.
Can I use radishes instead of turnips?
You can—but they shrink and get watery. Better for roast recipes.
Is store-bought ranch seasoning okay?
Depends. Check for hidden starches or sugar. Or make your own with garlic, onion, dill, parsley, and a pinch of buttermilk powder.
Will cauliflower fall apart?
Not if you leave it chunky and don’t overcook. Check it at the 4.5-hour mark on low.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Nutrient | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | ~385 kcal |
Fat | ~24 g |
Saturated Fat | ~6.5 g |
Carbohydrates | ~7.2 g |
Fiber | ~2.5 g |
Net Carbs | ~4.7 g |
Protein | ~38 g |
Sugar | ~2.4 g (from turnips/cauli) |
Sodium | ~720 mg (depends on ranch mix) |
Check out More Recipes:
- Gordon Ramsay Macaroni Salad – Keto Edition That Actually Works
- Gordon Ramsay’s Pickled Onions – Keto-Approved, Bold, and Still Brilliant
- Gordon Ramsay Beef Barley Soup – Now Keto, Still a Flavor Powerhouse
- Gordon Ramsay Keto Chocolate Brownies

Gordon Ramsay Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops – Made Keto, Without the Potatoes (But All the Flavor)
Description
Slow-cooked pork chops seared to perfection and smothered in a ranch butter sauce—this keto version swaps out potatoes for cauliflower and turnips, keeping all the rich flavor without the carb crash. Inspired by Gordon Ramsay’s layering technique, reworked for real-life low-carb macros.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sear pork chops over high heat (cast iron preferred), 2 minutes per side. Do not overcrowd the pan.
- Mix olive oil, ranch seasoning, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl to create the flavor binder.
- Add cauliflower and chopped turnips to the crockpot in a loose, even layer.
- Place seared pork chops on top of the vegetables.
- Pour the ranch mixture over everything, tossing gently to coat.
- Dot the top with cubed butter—do not stir in.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours, until pork reaches 63°C (145°F) internal and veggies are tender but not mushy.
- Let pork rest for 5 minutes before serving. Season to taste with salt and black pepper after cooking.
Notes
- Don’t skip the sear—this is where the flavor gets built. Crockpots don’t brown meat.
Cut cauliflower into larger chunks so it doesn’t turn to mush during the long cook.
Use a homemade or sugar-free ranch seasoning to keep carbs in check—some store mixes sneak in maltodextrin.
Resting the pork before serving keeps it juicy—even from a slow cooker.
If you want a crispy finish, pop everything under the broiler for 3–5 minutes after slow cooking.