Are y’all ready for this? …No, no, I don’t think you are. Okay, if you insist. But if your head explodes upon contemplating the deliciousness of these Apple Spice Pork Chops, don’t say I didn’t try to warn you.
I don’t even know if I can describe how awesome these pork chops are. The brown sugar and butter create an amazing caramel-like sauce that drenches the pork chops in a deep, rich, sweetness. Add a little spice from the cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper and you’ve got a carnival in your mouth. Pork heaven.
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Since these Apple Spice Pork Chops simmer in the delicious sauce there is not even a fraction of a possibility that chops will turn into dry hockey pucks. No, they’re juicy, rich, sweet and savory all at one time. *mouth watering as I type*
What Type of Pork Chops Should I Use?
A couple of notes: I used boneless, center-cut, thick chops but you can use bone-in as well. Just do not use thin-cut pork chops because they will likely cook too quickly and become overcooked, dry, and tough. Shoot for something 3/4-1 inch thick.
What Type of Apples are Best for This Recipe?
I used fuji apples for this recipe because I wanted something that was halfway between sweet and tart. I would suggest using any variety that is sweet but not sickeningly so. You need a little “acid” in there.
What to Serve with Apple Spice Pork Chops
I love making this a classic meal with mashed potatoes and green beans, but you could also pair it with something like Apple Walnut Stuffing, Wild Rice Pilaf, or some Maple Roasted Acorn Squash to really maximize those fall vibes! Or how about a Wild Rice and Vegetable Casserole? YUM.
Apple Spice Pork Chops
Servings 4Ingredients
- 4 pork chops ($6.44)
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil ($0.08)
- Pinch salt and pepper ($0.05)
- 1 med onion ($0.38)
- 2 fuji apples ($1.99)
- 2 Tbsp butter ($0.26)
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar ($0.03)
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon ($0.02)
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg ($0.02)
- 1 cup chicken broth ($0.13)
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. While the skillet is heating, open the pork chops and season each side with a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper.
- Once the oil is hot and shimmering, place the chops in the pan. Cook the chops undisturbed for 5-7 minutes or until the bottoms form a nice brown crust. If your chops are sticking to the pan, that means they have not formed a crust yet. They will “let go” once the crust forms. Flip the chops and cook the second side in the same manner. It should take 5-7 minutes for each side.
- While the chops are searing, thinly slice the onion and slice the apples into wedges. Once the chops have browned on both sides, remove them to a clean plate (they do not need to be cooked through at this point). Add the apples, onions, and butter to the skillet and sauté until the onions are softened. Allow the moisture from the apples and onions to dissolve the browned bits from the skillet as they cook.
- Add the broth, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg to the skillet with the apples and onions. Stir until everything is combined, then return the chops to the pan, along with any juices that may have collected on the plate. Nestle the chops down in the mixture, making sure some onions and apples are on top of the chops.
- Simmer the chops in the apple and onion mixture for about 10 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by half, the apples are soft, and the pork chops are cooked through. Stir occasionally, moving the apples and onions around so they all have a chance to simmer and soften. Serve each chop with apples, onions and sauce spooned over top.
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How to Make Apple Spice Pork Chops – Step By Step Photos
Season both sides of four pork chops with a pinch of salt and pepper. I used boneless, but you can use bone-in, if you prefer.
Heat a large skillet over medium, then once hot add 2 Tbsp vegetable oil. Swirl the skillet to coat the surface in oil, then add the pork chops. Let them cook until browned on one side (about 5-7 minutes), then flip and cook until browned on the second side. It’s important not to move them around while they are browning. They may stick to the skillet a little at first, but they will release when they develop that nice brown crust. Once browned on both sides, remove the chops to a clean plate. They do not need to be fully cooked through at this point.
While the pork chops are cooking, thinly slice one yellow onion and slice two apples into thin wedges. After removing the pork chops from the skillet, add the apples, onions, and 2 Tbsp butter.
Sauté the apples and onions until the onions are softened and the juices from the apples and onions have dissolved all the browned bits of pork from the bottom of the skillet.
Once the onions have softened, add 1 cup chicken broth, 1 Tbsp brown sugar, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, and 1/8 tsp nutmeg. Stir everything together until combined.
Return the pork chops back to the skillet, along with any juices that collected on the plate, and nestle them down into all of that goodness. Allow the broth to come up to a strong simmer, then let the chops simmer in the liquid for about 10 minutes, or until the liquid is slightly thickened and the apples are soft.
The pork chops should be cooked through, the apples tender, and the pan sauce should be absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS.
Make sure you serve your Apple Spice Pork Chops with plenty of the apples and onions from the skillet, plus a couple spoonfuls of that amazing sauce!
Wouldn’t change a thing about this recipe. Nice and flavourful pork chops for a cozy winter meal. Throw some potatoes to roast in the oven and some greens for a side and instant household favourite. I need to remember to double this recipe in future as there are never leftovers.
Love this, simple and comforting recipe for colder weather!
This is one of our favorite ways to eat pork chops! The apples and caramelized onions keep it from feeling too heavy and add some fantastic flavor. Apples that are just a little tart are the best. We used Pink Ladies and they were fantastic. Serving over egg noodles is our favorite and even our toddler eats a ton.
I look forward to making this every fall. A cozy mix of sweet and savory.
I made this tonight exactly as instructed and my husband and I both loved it! The balance of sweet and savory was perfect (and it was not too sweet, which I am not a fan of). Mashed potatoes are a perfect pairing to sop up all of that amazing sauce. Like some other commenters, I had difficulty getting as nice of a sear as I wanted, but this was probably due to me being lazy and using nonstick pans. I will bust out my cast iron next time!
Can I use olive oil or is vegetable oil better for some reason? Thank you
You’re welcome to use olive oil!
These were OK not my favourite budget bites recipe but we enjoyed it. Probably not something I would make again.
I was thinking of using apple cider rather than broth, just adding more savory seasonings. Any thoughts?
Sounds yum! THough you might want to go half and half to regulate acidity.
Delicious. This will be going in my regular rotation now!
This is our new fall favorite. All of my kids liked it and it was super simple to prep. Thank you!
I don’t eat meat but thought the flavors of this sounded really good, so I subbed in tofu and it worked really well! I browned the tofu in a separate pan and then put it in with the cooked apple and onion mixture and let it cook together for a bit and it was great! I left out the broth and I don’t think it needed it, though perhaps because I used Macintosh apples that kind of dissolved. Anyways, wanted to share in case any of veg readers were wondering if this translated!
This would probably work really well with tempeh since it’s dense. Or seitan. Never tried though!
Apples had really good flavor and tasted like cinnamon apples, but the pork chops came off bland and did not carry much flavor even when soaking.
My family has this regularly. Even toddlers–one of whom who is very picky–adore it. Thank you!! Delicious, healthy, easy, fast, affordable. Wow.
Somehow we loved our latest rendition the best: no onion, with Pink Lady apples (one of our favorite eating apples, which is sweet/tart like Fuji can be). Yum! Throwing that out as another variation idea. (I love comments for encouragement to try recipes, and for tweaks…)
This makes a WONDERFUL pork chop meal. It’s totally delicious. I usedbone-in chops and the cooked perfectly. 616-706-3243
Ma’am, is that your phone number? Hmmm…
I made this with one apple and chucks of pineapple and it was great.
Delicious! Made this several times with all different apples (whatever we had on hand). Ive also shared this recipe multiple times to friends. So quick and easy to make with two babies running around. Thanks!