Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Apple and Onion Sauté
Tender pork chops pan-seared to golden perfection, served with a sweet and savory apple and onion sauté. This american-inspired pork (gluten free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs salt, black pepper, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.
Ingredients
- 4 (about 1 inch thick, 6 oz each) bone-in pork chops
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 large, thinly sliced yellow onion
- 1 large, cored and thinly sliced apple (such as Granny Smith)
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in pork chops and season both sides evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add pork chops and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 145°F). Remove chops from skillet and tent with foil to rest.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium and add 2 tbsp unsalted butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and 1 large thinly sliced apple. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened and starting to caramelize.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tsp brown sugar. Cook for 2 more minutes until the mixture is glossy and slightly thickened. Serve the apple and onion sauté spooned over the rested pork chops.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Apple and Onion Sauté take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Apple and Onion Sauté?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Apple and Onion Sauté?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Apple and Onion Sauté for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Apple and Onion Sauté gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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