Tender Apple Butter Pork Chops (Printable version)

Golden seared pork chops in a sweet and savory apple butter sauce with caramelized onions and warm spices.

# What You’ll 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 Make It:

01 - Pat the pork chops thoroughly dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with kosher salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika, pressing the seasoning into the meat to adhere.
02 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter foams. Place pork chops in the pan and sear for exactly 3 minutes per side until deep golden brown crust forms. Transfer chops to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
03 - In the same skillet, add sliced onions and apples. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions begin to caramelize and apples soften. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together apple butter, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and ground cinnamon until completely smooth and emulsified.
05 - Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the apples and onions. Stir well to combine and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
06 - Place the pork chops back into the skillet along with any accumulated juices on the plate. Spoon some of the sauce over the tops of the chops to coat evenly.
07 - Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes. Cook until pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145°F and are fork-tender.
08 - Remove from heat and let the pork chops rest in the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve topped with caramelized apples, onions, and extra sauce spooned over each chop.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • The sauce turns into this gorgeous sticky glaze that makes everything taste like fall arrived early
  • Its one of those meals that looks fancy but comes together in under an hour
02 -
  • Overcrowding the pan when searing will steam the chops instead of giving them that beautiful crust, so work in batches if needed
  • Letting the pork rest after cooking is absolutely crucial or all those juices will run out onto the plate instead of staying in the meat
03 -
  • If your apple butter is particularly thick, warm it slightly in the microwave before whisking with the other sauce ingredients
  • The sauce will continue to thicken as it stands, so don't worry if it looks a bit loose right after simmering

Go back