Looking for a quick and delicious way to elevate your pork chops? This apple-glazed pork chops recipe perfectly balances sweet and savory, combining rich apple jelly, tangy mustard, and a touch of warm cinnamon. With a simple pan-searing technique followed by a slow simmer in a flavorful glaze, this dish will produce juicy, tender chops with caramelized onions that enhance every bite. Serve it with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes for a comforting and satisfying meal.
What To Serve With These Pork Chops
I like rice with these sweet-tart chops, but many other possibilities exist. Here are a few of my favorite ideas:
- Potatoes – Scalloped potatoes, roasted, fried, or boiled.
- Rice – Plain boiled rice, risotto, or coconut rice.
- Sweet Potatoes – Baked or candied sweet potatoes or a sweet potato casserole.
- Steamed Vegetables – Corn, green beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or carrots.
- Salads – Tossed salad, broccoli salad, coleslaw, or potato salad.
- Pasta – Buttered noodles, macaroni and cheese, or a spaghetti dish, such as cacio e pepe.
How To Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerate leftover pork chops in a covered container within 2 hours and enjoy them within 3 to 4 days.
- To reheat, place the pork chop(s) in a baking pan and add a splash of water or broth. Cover the pan with foil and heat in a preheated 350 F oven for 15 minutes, or until heated throughout. Look for an internal temperature of 165, the USDA-recommended minimum safe temperature for leftovers.
Skillet Pork Chops With Apple Jelly and Mustard Sauce
Sweet and savory ingredients balance the flavors in these saucy pork chops.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: pork chops
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Homestyle
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in or boneless pork chops (¾ to 1 inch thick)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup apple jelly
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (a slight increase for warmth)
- 3 tablespoons whole grain mustard
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (optional, for added depth)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for a silky finish)
Instructions
-
- Sear the pork chops:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels, then season generously with salt and black pepper. Once the oil is hot, add the pork chops to the pan along with the sliced onion. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side, turning once, until golden brown. Stir the onions occasionally to prevent burning.
- Prepare the glaze:
In a small bowl, whisk together the apple jelly, ground cinnamon, whole grain mustard, and white wine vinegar. - Simmer and glaze:
Reduce the heat to low, spoon the apple jelly mixture over the pork chops, and stir the onions to coat them in the glaze. Cover the skillet and let the chops simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Stir occasionally to ensure the sauce doesn’t stick. - Finish and serve:
Uncover the skillet, stir in the butter, and let the sauce thicken for another 2-3 minutes over low heat. If using fresh thyme, sprinkle it in at this stage. Remove from heat and let the pork rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Sear the pork chops:
Notes
Pair these apple-glazed pork chops with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, or buttery egg noodles for a hearty meal.
