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.
See this recipe used in my weekly meal prep.
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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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Nutrition
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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!
Why not change the chickened /vegetable bouillon and water for apple juice that way it preserves the flavor of the pork and the apples?
I like the contrast of the salty broth with the sweet apples. :)
This was a great, simple recipe. Flavours were mild but delicious. Husband loved it. I served it with quinoa and steamed vegetables.
My family did not enjoy this recipe. The apples were nice, but no real flavor to the pork chops. Followed the recipe exactly. Not posting this as any offence to the recipe originator, but I really pay attention to the reviews to decide if I am going to make something or not.
I have made this twice and it is super. My husband wanted me to ask of the amount of onions and apples could be increased.
What kind of side dish would go well with this? That’s the part I mess up, making a side dish that compliments the main one.
I’m really excited to try these. Though it will have to wait a bit. Just had a tonsillectomy a few days ago.
Because pork chops are such a classic down home type dish, I think I would go with something simple like mashed potatoes and green beans. :)
Have you tried making this recipe with different types of apples, if so which was the best? Have you tried using green apples?
I haven’t tried it with other apples yet, but I think it’s definitely best to get a variety with at least some tartness. That really helps balance the flavors.
Made these last night for a dinner party and they were a hit! It’s a great fall dish. These will definitely be made again. Thanks so much for the recipe!
So yummy. I ran out of brown sugar, so I used some maple syrup instead. Two words: Mind Blown!
This looks amazing – I can’t wait to try it! I’ll be featuring this recipe on my blog tomorrow!
Your blog is like the bible of all recipe blogs. Every time I attempted cooking before, I’d end up burning something, and now I’m cooking dishes like these lick-the-plate-clean delicious apple spice pork chops. I made these a few nights ago and am still savoring the leftovers. THANK YOU for posting these easy to follow recipes and basically for existing. That is all. :-)
Awwww, thank you!! That’s so awesome to hear. :)
I’ve made this recipe several times and it’s been my favorite. Today we went to our local apple orchard and got fresh apples and cider and I substituted the water with the apple cider and they turned out just as delisious.
Just made these. So good and so easy!! I used a 3 pack of pork chops so I just reduced the apples and onions a bit, kept everything else the same.
did you cook these by themselves or serve with any sides? Side suggestions?
Is there away to adapt this to a crockpot?
The browning step for the pork chops is really important for creating the right flavor, so you’ll want to still do that step in a skillet. After that you can put everything in a slow cooker together. I’m not sure how long or what setting without testing it out, but it should also be noted that meat cooked in a slow cooker usually comes out very tender, so it might “fall apart” with a fork, like pulled pork. That’s usually a good thing, but maybe not for a pork chop?
I made this tonight and it was a hit! I got some pork chops on sale yesterday and didn’t know what to do with them, and was excited to find this recipe. I have no idea how it turned out, personally, because I’m a vegetarian, but my boyfriend liked it :).