Cast Iron Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Caramelized Onions

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-12 · Updated 2026-06-12

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Juicy pork chops pan-seared to golden perfection and topped with sweet caramelized onions, highlighting flavors typical of a rustic regional American kitchen. This American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs bone-in pork chops, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 360 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 pieces (about 6 oz each) bone-in pork chops
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 large, thinly sliced yellow onions
3 fresh thyme sprigs
3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in pork chops and season both sides with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper evenly. Let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place the pork chops in the skillet and sear for 4 minutes without moving to develop a golden crust.
Step 3: Flip the pork chops and add 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Cook pork for another 4 minutes while spooning melted butter over the chops to baste, until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Step 4: Remove pork chops from skillet and tent with foil to rest. Reduce heat to medium-low, add 2 thinly sliced yellow onions to the skillet and sauté for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions turn golden and caramelized.
Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar to the onions and cook for 1 more minute until slightly reduced and fragrant.
Step 6: Serve the rested pork chops topped with the warm caramelized onions and pan juices.