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!
This recipe uses a few simple ingredients but it’s OH SO GOOD. Normally, I don’t even like pork very much, but this is still one of my standbys. I make it all the time for my family.
Occasionally if I don’t have bouillon or broth, I just use water to mix in the seasonings and simmer – it still makes a juicy, flavorful chop.
Beth, you’re the real MVP for making recipes that are designed to be affordable. So many recipes you find on Pinterest use nothing but the most expensive ingredients, so it is SUCH a life saver to have easy, cheap, but DELICIOUS recipes. Also the MVP for putting the actual recipe toward the top of the page and not having a hundred of the same photo that we have to scroll past to find it. Yall know what I’m talking about with most food blogs!
Anyway, I’m a big fan of this site. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing this recipe. This was easy to make and delicious. I had to tweak the recipe a little, out of nessity. I used 8 thin chops( that’s what I had) , 2 larger sized apples, a large onion, and one cube of beef bullion (again all I had). They turned out great. I served it with a sweet potato and some spinach. I think someone else paired theirs with the same , it goes well together.
This was really tasty and really simple! I misread the directions and ended up having to use water instead of broth, but even with that it was so good, so I can only imagine how much better it’ll be the next time I make it, with broth. :D I had roasted broccoli as a side!
Wht did you put as sides for these pork chops?
I tried this tonight – so delicious :) And the chops were so tender and juicy – YUM!!
This is our favorite pork chop recipe. We like the spices with the apple and onion.
This recipe has quickly become a favorite in our household. It’s perfect to break out when we have guest over- easy enough that I don’t spend the evening in the kitchen but impressively delicious none the less- it even got a compliment out of my MIL… and that NEVER happens ;)
?????ONE TEASPOON BOUILLION?????? Can that be right?
Not a cube? or a cup????
Bouillon is a concentrate. It gets mixed with one cup water to make one cup broth.
I made this tonight and my husband said it was one of the best meals I’ve ever made! It was deliciousness!!! I followed the recipe but used thin sliced pork chops instead (8 pieces) bc that’s what was available at the grocery store. I added two onions just bc we like onions a lot! I served it with baked sweet potatoes. It was a wonderful fall meal!
Definitely good. Definitely needs more apples. Be careful with the spices as they are quite prominent. Will make again
Great Recipe, new family favorite. =)
I added a little bit of garlic powder to the pork chops and it turned out yummy!
Making this today! Found it on pinterest!
I made this tonight. Defiantly a keeper!
I made this recipe tonight and really enjoyed it. My only sub was using chicken broth instead of water/bouillon. I definitely over cooked the pork, but that was my bad. I served it with mashed parsnips and leeks. Would recommend and very easy.
One word – delicious!
My mom always used to serve applesauce with pork chops and this kind of reminded me of that, but this recipe is far better!