These Pork Chops with Apples are a deeply flavorful and impressive fall dinner that comes together in just one skillet. This dish was inspired by my childhood love of pork chops with applesauce. This dish elevates that simple meal. Boneless pork chops are seasoned with a warm spice blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, seared until golden, and then finished in the oven nestled into a caramelized apple and onion mixture with brown sugar and fresh sage.
Unlike most pork chops with apples recipes, this version uses a warm fall spice rub directly on the pork which gives every bite a cozy, slightly sweet depth that tastes completely unique. It is an easy one-pan dinner that looks and tastes like something from a restaurant!
Fall dinner
one pan
Quick Look: Pork Chops With Apples
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 👩🍳 Cook Time: 35 minutes
- 🕖 Total Time: 45 minutes
- 🍏 Servings: 4 servings
- ⚡️ Calories: 394 calories per serving (based on nutrition panel)
- 🔥 Cooking Method: Sear on stove and then cook at 350F
- 🛒 Main Ingredients: Pork Chops, Apples, Warm Spice Blend
- ⭐️ Difficulty: Easy! Especially because it only requires one pot!
Mary left this 5 star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“So tasty and easy to make. Perfect fall weeknight dinner.”
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s a childhood favorite elevated – Take the classic combination of pork chops and applesauce and elevate it slightly with caramelized apple and onion slices. This is a grown up version of my family favorite that I hope my kids will grow up loving.
- The warm spice rub is the secret – Most pork chop recipes use salt and pepper only. This recipe adds cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to the spice blend which gives the pork a warm, fall-flavored crust that pairs perfectly with the sweet apples.
- One skillet, easy cleanup – Everything happens in a single oven-safe skillet from the sear to the oven finish. Just one pan to clean at the end.
For another flavorful pork chop dish, try these French Onion Pork Chops.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a quick look at the ingredients you need to make this delicious pork chop dish. For a full list of ingredients, see the full recipe.
- Kosher salt, ground ginger, black pepper, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg – These five spices are mixed together to create the warm fall spice rub that goes on the pork before searing. The cinnamon and nutmeg give the pork a subtle warmth that makes this recipe unlike any other pork chop recipe you have tried.
- Boneless pork chops, about 1 inch thick – Thicker boneless chops are key for this recipe. They sear beautifully on the outside and stay juicy on the inside after finishing in the oven. Thin chops will overcook before the apples have time to caramelize.
- Olive oil – Used to sear the pork chops. Make sure the oil is hot before adding the pork so you get a proper golden brown sear on both sides.
- Salted butter – Used to cook the apples and onions. The salt in the butter seasons the apple mixture and works with the brown sugar to create that beautiful caramelized topping.
- Honeycrisp apples – Honeycrisp apples are the top choice because they are sweet, hold their shape well, and caramelize beautifully. Fuji or Gala also work great. Slice them thin, about an eighth of an inch, for the best texture.
- Yellow onion – Sliced thin alongside the apples, the onion adds a savory depth that balances out the sweetness of the brown sugar and apples.
- Light brown sugar – A tablespoon of brown sugar stirred in with the apples and onions in the last few minutes of cooking creates a beautiful caramelized glaze.
- Fresh sage leaves cut into ribbons – Fresh sage is added at the same time as the brown sugar. The earthy, herby flavor of fresh sage is the perfect complement to the sweet apples and warm spiced pork. Do not substitute dried sage here.
For another fall dish with apples, try this Chicken Apple Sausage Sheet Pan Supper.
How to make This Pork Chop With Apples Dish
Step 1: Mix together salt, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pat pork chops dry with a paper towel and season on both sides with the seasoning mixture.
Place the seasoned pork chops in the pan and sear.
Step 2: Place the butter in the pan over low heat.
Once the butter is fully melted, pour the sliced apples and onions into the pan and saute.
Step 3: After 5 minutes, add the brown sugar and fresh sage to the pan and saute for another 2 minutes.
Step 4: Turn off the heat and nestle seared pork chops into the pan with the apples and onions.
Place the full skillet in the oven and cook at 350F for 12 minutes.
Looking for another pork chop recipe? Try these Shake and Bake Pork Chops.
Mad’s Expert Tips for the Best Pork chops with apples 🍏
- Pat the pork chops completely dry before seasoning. Dry pork gets a much better golden sear than pork that still has moisture on the surface. Use a paper towel and dry each chop on both sides before applying the spice rub.
- Do not rush the sear. Let the chops cook undisturbed for a full 3 minutes on each side before flipping. This is what gives you that golden brown crust on the outside.
- Slice the apples and onions thin. Thin slices caramelize faster and create a much more silky, jammy topping than thick chunks. Aim for about an eighth of an inch.
- Use a meat thermometer. The pork is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145F. Every oven is a little different so start checking at the 10 minute mark.
For another tasty pork chop dish, try these Honey Garlic Pork Chops.
Recipe FAQs
What internal temperature should pork chops be?
Pork chops are done when they reach an internal temperature of 145F. At this temperature the pork may still look slightly pink inside which is perfectly safe and actually means the pork is juicy and not overcooked.
What apples are best for pork chops with apples?
Honeycrisp apples are the top choice because they are sweet and hold their shape well when cooked. Fuji, Gala, and Pink Lady are also great options. Granny Smith apples work too and add a tart flavor that contrasts nicely with the brown sugar.
What should I serve with pork chops and apples?
This dish pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, air fryer red potatoes, wild rice, a simple green salad, or crusty bread to soak up the apple pan juices.
Storage and reheating
This dish can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat either in the oven or on the stove top until warmed through and enjoy.
If you like cold leftovers, this dish is actually great cold as well!
Other Delicious Pork Recipes
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
Email Recipe for Later
Recipe
Pork Chops with Apples
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless pork chops each 1 inch thick
- 2 medium apples cut into ⅛” thin slices – I used honeycrisp
- 1/2 a yellow onion cut into ⅛” thin slices
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp salted butter
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh sage leaves cut into ribbons
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Mix together salt, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pat pork chops dry with a paper towel and season on both sides with the seasoning mixture.
- Heat oil in an oven safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the seasoned pork chops in the pan and sear for 3 minutes, flip and cook for another 3 minutes. You want to make sure the chops have enough space to get a golden brown sear on both sides.
- Remove the pork from the pan, set aside and reduce heat to low. Place the butter in the pan over low heat.
- Once the butter is fully melted, pour the sliced apples and onions into the pan. Turn the heat back up to medium and saute for 5 minutes, tossing frequently.
- After 5 minutes, add the brown sugar and fresh sage to the pan and saute for another 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and nestle seared pork chops into the pan with the apples and onions.
- Place the full skillet in the oven and cook at 350F for 12 minutes. Check that the internal temp of the pork is at least 145F. Serve warm with the apples, onions and juices from the pan on top.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
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