Tender Apple Butter Pork Chops (Printable version)

Golden-seared chops in sweet apple butter sauce with caramelized onions and warm cinnamon spices.

# What you need:

→ Meats

01 - 4 bone-in pork chops (approximately 1 inch thick)

→ Fruits & Vegetables

02 - 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
03 - 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

→ Sauce & Pantry

05 - 1/2 cup apple butter
06 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
07 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

# How To:

01 - Pat the pork chops completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with kosher salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika, pressing the spices into the meat to adhere.
02 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter foams. Add pork chops and sear for 3 minutes per side until deep golden brown. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - Add sliced onions and apples to the same skillet. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together apple butter, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and ground cinnamon until smooth and fully combined.
05 - Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with apples and onions. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
06 - Return pork chops and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the chops, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F and meat is tender.
07 - Remove from heat and let rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve pork chops topped with softened apples, onions, and extra sauce from the pan.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together with pantry staples you probably already have on hand
  • Bone-in chops stay incredibly tender and juicy, even if you accidentally cook them a few minutes too long
  • Everything happens in one pan, making cleanup almost suspiciously easy
02 -
  • Don't rush the searing step, that golden crust creates flavor layers you can't get any other way
  • The sauce will look thin at first but thickens beautifully as it simmers with the apples
  • A meat thermometer takes all the guesswork out of perfectly cooked pork
03 -
  • Pat the pork chops absolutely dry before searing for the best crust
  • Let the pan get properly hot before adding the meat, or you'll miss out on caramelization

Go back