These Pork Chops with Apples are such an easy weeknight dinner! They are done in just a few minutes, and finished off in a delicious apple cider glaze. The cinnamon-spiced roasted apples and sweet potatoes will have your house smelling like autumn in no time. Originally published October 2, 2018.

Pork chops with apples, carrots, and onions.
Table of Contents
  1. Pan Seared Pork Chops
  2. What you’ll need for these Apple Pork Chops
  3. How to Make Apple Glazed Pork Chops
  4. Apple Pork Chop Recipe Tips
  5. How to Store Apple Cider Pork Chops
  6. FAQs for Apple Cider Glazed Pork Chops
  7. Pan Seared Pork Chops with Apple Cider Glaze Recipe

I’m now accepting any and all ideas for genius kid’s Halloween costumes that are cheap and easy (read: sewing is neither cheap nor easy.) My kids are still young enough that they are strongly open to suggestion, so I always try to get them to choose something that is creative but doable.

I’m like a roller coaster when it comes to Halloween costumes: half the time I’m totally gung-ho about it (memories! Fun times!), but there is this other Scrooge-y part of me that is incredibly cheap and can’t handle spending tons of money on something my kids are only going to wear once.

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Pork chops with apples, sweet potatoes, and onions.

Truman said he wants to be a chameleon. Nothing says cheap and easy like having to sew a chameleon costume. (Have YOU seen any chameleon costumes at Costco?? Also I mentioned that I know less than zero about sewing right?)

Wish me luck. A part of me wants to make them all be bags of Jelly Belly’s. I’ve pulled that one a couple times myself. (Wear a clear plastic bag with multicolored balloons inside.)

To get in the fall spirit, we headed up to Apple Hill last weekend, which is kind of like the pumpkin patches you’ve been too, but it’s all apples and orchards instead of pumpkins and vines. They have the BEST apple cider there, and also amazing apple cider donuts that are to die for. I also bought 8 ounces of caramel for $12, which sounds crazy, but since then I’ve made multiple batches of (failed) caramel to try and recreate it. The kind at Apple Hill makes the best caramel apples. Stay tuned, I WILL CONQUER! I will go broke spending that much on caramel, I’m addicted and I need a home remedy.

a plate of pork chops with veggies and apples.

Pan Seared Pork Chops

I used the apple cider and apples we bought to make these fall-inspired pork chops. I roasted the apples with sweet potatoes and onions. Pork chops and apples just go together, right? And roasted sweet potatoes are my favorite. This recipe for Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts is one of the most popular recipes on my blog.

roasted apples and veggies on a sheet pan.

Today’s recipe calls for cinnamon on the roasted veggies and apples, and also a bit of brown sugar. It gives it just a little touch of sweetness that makes you want to eat it like candy. I was this close to posting these roasted sweet potatoes and apples with cinnamon as a whole separate recipe. You could serve it with lots of different main dishes, and it’s so good!

What you’ll need for these Apple Pork Chops

Here’s a quick list of ingredients to put on your shopping list. Scroll down to the recipe card below for more details!

  • Sweet potato
  • Onion
  • Apples
  • Garlic
  • Olive oil
  • Cinnamon
  • Garlic salt
  • Kosher salt
  • Pepper
  • Brown sugar
  • Pork chops
  • Apple cider
  • Chicken broth (I love Better than Bouillon)
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Dijon mustard
  • Whole grain mustard
  • Soy sauce
  • Butter
  • Fresh thyme or rosemary (to garnish)
pork chops with veggies in a cast iron skillet.

How to Make Apple Glazed Pork Chops

  1. Preheat the oven and line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
  2. Chop the sweet potato, peel the onion and slice into wedges, core the apples and cut into slices, and smash the garlic. Add them to the pan and drizzle with olive oil.
  3. In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, garlic salt, kosher salt, pepper, and brown sugar. Sprinkle over the pan, mix everything together, and spread it on the pan in one layer.
  4. Roast at 400 for about 30 minutes.
  5. Prepare the pork chops by patting dry with a paper towel and sprinkling with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add olive oil.
  6. When the oil shimmers, add the pork chops one at a time and sear over medium high heat until golden brown, then flip each pork chop and sear the other side. Remove the pork chops to a plate and set aside.
  7. In the same skillet, add apple cider, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, and soy sauce. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer until slightly thickened. Add butter and continue simmering until melted.
  8. Return the pork chops and any juice to the pan. Cover, continuing to simmer until done.
  9. Serve the pork and the roasted veggies with the apple cider glaze drizzled over the top. Garnish with fresh thyme or rosemary.

Apple Pork Chop Recipe Tips

Here are my tips for making sure your pork chops and veggies turn out perfectly.

  • Cut the fat. Use a sharp serrated knife to make 2 slits in the line of fat on the edge of the chop. This will keep your pork chop from curling up when you sear it, which can make it uneven and difficult to cook properly.
Cutting fat off pork chops.
While researching this pork chop apple recipe, I picked up a tip in my Cook’s Illustrated book. When you pan sear pork chops, they tend to curl up a bit because of the line of fat on the out edge. Here’s how to snip the edges of your pork chop to avoid that. It’s not the end of the world if you skip this step, but it is nice to be able to cook your pork chop evenly. Sometimes they curl up so much that they don’t sear well. If you forget to do it ahead of time and notice them curling, you can snip them even after the initial sear (I’ve tried it).
  • Give your pork chops room. I know it can be tempting to cozy them up together in the pan, but they need enough space in between them (about an inch) so they can brown nicely and develop that beautiful sear. Do it in batches if they don’t fit – it’s worth it!
  • Check the temperature. You don’t want those chops going above 145! Use an instant read thermometer and check before you think you need to. Especially if you have thin chops, they may be done quite quickly.
pork chop with apples and veggies.

How to Store Apple Cider Pork Chops

These pork chops and veggies will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. I don’t recommend freezing them, because the textures of the pork and vegetables won’t be quite the same. If you do have extra and know you need to save it, you can safely freeze them.

If you are working quickly and don’t have any toddlers thwarting you, you can get these apple cider pork chops done and on the table in about 45 minutes, and most of that time is just waiting for the veggies and apples to roast. Let me know if you try it out! You guys know I love seeing pictures of what you’re making from the blog, right?? Tag #thefoodcharlatan so I can tell you how awesome you are that you made dinner for your family :)

FAQs for Apple Cider Glazed Pork Chops

What is the secret to moist pork chops?

Moist pork chops, tender pork chops, not dry-as-a-bone pork chops: whatever you call them, the secret is temperature. Overcooking pork chops makes them tough, dry, and downright unpleasant.

What apples are best with pork?

The best apples for pairing with pork are sweet and don’t fall apart when you cook them. I recommend trying Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp. They’re easy to find at the store and have the right sweetness to contrast with the saltiness of the pork.

Are pork chops better in the oven or on the stove?

It doesn’t matter if you cook pork chops in the oven or on the stove–the important thing is making sure that you don’t overcook them. Just say no to dry pork!! The benefit of cooking pork chops on the stove is that you can sear them, which creates amazing caramelized flavor.

How do I cook pork chops so they don’t dry out?

Get out your thermometer. Throw everything out the window that your mom told you about how long to cook pork. Cook your pork chops to 135, then tent them with foil, where they’ll continue rising in temperature to 145. The thing about meat is that it keeps cooking internally after you remove it from the pan, so if you pull it out at its “done” temperature, you’re actually overcooking it.

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Pan Seared Pork Chops with Apple Cider Glaze

5 from 9 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Pan Seared Pork Chops are such an easy weeknight dinner! They are done in just a few minutes, and finished off in a delicious apple cider glaze. Pair it with cinnamon-spiced roasted apples and sweet potatoes, and it will smell like autumn in your house in no time. 

Ingredients

For the roast

  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled
  • 1 medium onion
  • 2 large apples, cored and sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

For the pan sear

  • 4-5 pork chops*
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 & 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
  • 3 tablespoons whole grain mustard
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • fresh thyme , or rosemary to garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
  • Chop the sweet potato into 1 or 2 inch chunks. Peel the onion and slice into wedges. Core the apples and cut into about 8 slices each (leave the peel on the apples). Smash the garlic with the side of a chef’s knife.
  • Add sweet potato, onion, apples, and garlic to the pan. Drizzle with 1/3 cup olive oil.
  • In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, garlic salt, kosher salt, pepper, and brown sugar. Sprinkle over the pan and then use your hands or a wooden spoon to mix it all together. Make sure everything gets coated with oil and the spices, then spread it all out on the pan in one layer.
  • Roast at 400 for about 30 minutes, or until you can slide a fork into the sweet potato and apples. Remove from the oven and keep warm.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the pork chops. Pat dry with a paper towel and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Use a sharp serrated knife to make 2 slits in the line of fat on the edge of the chop. See photo. This will keep your pork chop from curling up when you sear it. (which then makes it uneven and difficult to cook properly.)
  • Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. When hot, add about 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  • When the oil shimmers, add the pork chops one at a time, with plenty of space in between. Sear over medium high heat for about 2 minutes until golden brown, then flip each pork chop and sear the other side. If you have more pork chops, work in batches. Don’t add more than about 4 to the pan, otherwise they will steam and not get a golden sear.
  • Remove the pork chops to a plate and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add apple cider, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, and soy sauce. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer (it should still be bubbling slightly.)
  • Simmer for about 5 minutes, until slightly thickened. Add 3 tablespoons of butter and continue simmering until melted.
  • Return the pork chops and any juice to the pan. Cover and continue to simmer for another 5 to 15 minutes. How long you cook at this stage depends on how thick your pork chops are. I used thin-cut pork chops, so it was done pretty quickly. If you have thicker pork chops, cook for longer. The pork should just reach 145 degrees. I would definitely use a meat thermometer, over cooked pork is the worst. (If you are using thin pork chops, you may want to remove the chops as soon as they are cooked, so that your sauce can thicken a bit more without the pork becoming tough.) 
  • Serve the pork and the roasted veggies with the apple cider glaze drizzled over the top. Or you can dump the veggies into the pan you cooked the pork in, whatever works for you.
  • Garnish with fresh thyme or rosemary.

Notes

*I bought thin cut pork chops for this recipe, it was probably about a pound of meat total. If you buy thick cut pork chops, that will work fine too. Sear for the same amount of time, but you will need to cook it in the apple cider mixture longer, until it reaches 145 degrees. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 694kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 1699mg | Potassium: 1087mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 12400IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 694
Keyword: apple cider, glaze, pan seared pork chops
Did you make this? I’d love to see it!Mention @thefoodcharlatan or tag #thefoodcharlatan!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I am so excited to try your recipe tonight. We will love it. WhenI was buying my ingredients I shared your recipe with a few people at the store. Now we’re all excited to try it.

    1. 5 stars
      Hi Karen, I’m back and have to say it was SO good, now I sent it to all my brother’s and sisters. That’s 12 of them. It was extra yummy.

      1. Hooray! So happy it was a hit! Maybe you guys should have it at the next family reunion 😂 love it, thanks for commenting and sharing!

  2. 5 stars
    This recipe is delicious. I’ll be making it again. So tasty. Only next time I’ll use thinner pork chops. 

  3. I truly love all your recipes and would like to try this one soon. What kind of apple would be best to use in this recipe? Golden delicious? Thanks for the help and all the great recipes.

  4. So far, I have made these wonderful pork chops twice.  The apples, onions and sweet potatoes were so delicious.  Glad you mentioned about snipping the edge of the pork chops, almost didn’t, but caught it in time, no curling.    My husband is gf, and this was the perfect meal for him.
    Thanks so much

  5. Hi Karen! I am really wanting to try this recipe but wanted to ask — I am located in the UK where all cider is alcoholic– thoughts on if this recipe would still work?

    1. Hi Mia! Yes I think it would work just fine, although it will be a pretty strong flavor I imagine. Apple juice would work great too! Let me know what you try and how it goes!

      1. Hi Karen, I made this last night and it went really well! UK apple cider is far less sweet than US apple cider/apple juice so the glaze probably wasn’t as sweet as it should have been but will know for next time! That being said, it was still delicious and I will definitely make it again!

        1. That’s awesome Mia, I’m glad you liked it! Thanks for the tips for all the UK readers wanting to make this!

  6. I’ve been stuck in a rut with dinners lately, so I hopped on Pinterest and found this recipe. It was SO. GOOD!!! I was drooling as it cooked because it smelled like fall, and my husband couldn’t stop raving about it while we ate. Three out of my four kids even enjoyed it! (Success, ha!) This will definitely be added to our dinner rotation and I also shared the recipe with my sister in law! Thank you!

    1. Yay I’m so happy to hear that Amber! It’s the best when you find a keeper recipe that the whole family enjoys. I mean, three out of four, you can hardly ask for more than that! ;)

    1. So happy to hear that Carla! It’s a new favorite of mine too! Thanks for coming back to leave a positive comment :)

    1. Hi Linda, I’m so glad you liked it! Nothing beats an quick meal that tastes delicious, right? Thanks for commenting!!:)

  7. Beautiful. I love the combo of sweet potatoes and apples. I’ve even used crabapples! And you’re right – they is no excuse for a poorly cooked pork chop. Or any cut of pork. Everyone needs to know how to prepare meat; the rest is cake!

  8. I’ve been wanting Alyvia and Tori to be Lucy and Ethel. It would be so cute to have Valentine and Charlotte be Lucy and Ethel and Truman could be Ricky!

    1. That’s the exact one that I found, Robert! I was considering it! It doesn’t looks too difficult. We will see if he changes his mind again!

  9. I think the easiest costume I ever “created ” for my son was the mad scientist, I was able to borrow a lab coat, I gave him a wild hair style with a little gel, and I darkened his eyebrows and made them a little crazy looking. If you have one of those ‘my name is’ plastic name tags, you can put something like ‘professor cranky pants, please return to the lab if found wondering around’. That was one of the most fun costumes to do (at least for me ;))

    1. Ooh that’s a great idea Mary!! I really like the crazy eyebrows idea. sounds cheap and easy, my favorite 2 things ;) we will see if I can convince truman!!

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