Pork Chops with Apple Pan Sauce
Just as with beef, it’s better to cook pork bone-in. While the bone won’t add flavor to your meat, it does act as an insulator, and there is less exposed surface area with a bone-in chop, which helps it to retain more moisture as it cooks. For best results, after seasoning the chops, place them on a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet, and refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 45 minutes and up to 3 days.
Servings: 4 Servings
Ingredients
- 4 chops Pork Chops 8 oz each 180-220g bone-in pork chops (blade-end or rib), about 1 inch thick, brined if desired
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (optional)
- 1 tbsp Brown grainy mustard optional
- Pinch ground cinnamon cloves, and/or nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 thyme sprigs optional
- 1 roughly chopped shallot
- 2 cloves lightly smashed garlic optional
- 1 Granny Smith or other tart apple peeled, cored, and cut into 1⁄2-inch cubes
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a 12-inch cast-iron or heavy- bottomed stainless steel skillet over high heat until smoking. Carefully add the chops and cook, flipping them frequently, until both sides have developed a light brown crust (if the oil starts to burn or smokes inces- santly, reduce the heat to medium-low), about 5 minutes.
- Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and the thyme and shallots (if using) and continue to cook, turning the chops frequently, until they are deep brown on both sides and an instant- read thermometer inserted in the center registers 135°F for medium, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer the chops to a platter, and allow to rest while you make the pan sauce.
- Add the butter and diced apples to the pan, return to medium-high heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until the apples are browned and softened, about 3 minutes. Add the vinegar mixture and reduce until syrupy, about 4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour the apples and sauce over the chops and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
A simple way to make this is to cook the apples separately and add them to the chops afterwards