Gordon Ramsay Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops – Made Keto, Without the Potatoes (But All the Flavor)

Gordon Ramsay Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops

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

SwapCarb ComparisonNotes
Red potatoes → Turnips~26g vs ~8g per cupHolds up better than radish, more structure
Add cauliflower~5g net per cupAdds volume, soaks flavor, barely any carbs
Ranch mix → homemade0–2g per tbspControl 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 WrongWhy It HappensHow to Fix It
Mushy cauliflowerOvercooked or cut too smallKeep florets chunky, check doneness early
Greasy sauceNo acid to cut the fatAlways include the vinegar
Pork was drySkipped the searAlways brown first—locks in moisture and flavor
Too saltyRanch + butter + added saltWait to salt until after cooking

👩‍🍳 How to Make It (Step-by-Step)

  1. Sear the pork in a hot pan (cast iron = gold). 2 minutes per side. Don’t crowd the pan.
  2. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, ranch seasoning, and apple cider vinegar.
  3. Add cauliflower florets and chopped turnips to the crockpot.
  4. Lay seared pork chops on top. Pour ranch mixture over everything. Toss gently.
  5. Dot cubed butter across the top. Don’t mix it in.
  6. Cover and cook:
    • HIGH: ~3 hours
    • LOW: 5–6 hours
  7. Check internal temp (63°C / 145°F) and veggie tenderness.
  8. 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)

NutrientAmount
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)

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Gordon Ramsay Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops – Made Keto, Without the Potatoes (But All the Flavor)

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 10 minutesCook time:6 hours Rest time: 5 minutesTotal time:6 hours 15 minutesServings:4 servingsCalories:385 kcal Best Season:Summer

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

  1. Sear pork chops over high heat (cast iron preferred), 2 minutes per side. Do not overcrowd the pan.
  2. Mix olive oil, ranch seasoning, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl to create the flavor binder.
  3. Add cauliflower and chopped turnips to the crockpot in a loose, even layer.
  4. Place seared pork chops on top of the vegetables.
  5. Pour the ranch mixture over everything, tossing gently to coat.
  6. Dot the top with cubed butter—do not stir in.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
Keywords:keto pork recipe, crockpot keto dinner, ranch pork chops keto, low carb slow cooker, keto comfort food, gordon ramsay keto, keto cauliflower recipes

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