Thick Pork Chops with Apple Cider Glaze
Thick-cut pork chops seared to a golden crust and finished with a sweet-tart apple cider glaze. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 35 minutes pairs inches thick pork chops, olive oil, apple cider for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 4, 3 inches thick pork chops
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Season 4 pork chops (3 inches thick) with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork chops for 3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup apple cider, 2 tbsp honey, and 1 tsp Dijon mustard. Pour over the pork chops in the skillet. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Thick Pork Chops with Apple Cider Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Thick Pork Chops with Apple Cider Glaze?
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 inches thick pork chops from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Thick Pork Chops with Apple Cider Glaze?
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 Thick Pork Chops with Apple Cider Glaze 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.
What goes well with Thick Pork Chops with Apple Cider Glaze?
American bbq & smoked like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a weekend dinner. The thick chops were so flavorful with the glaze. Easy to make and everyone loved it.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! My family devoured these. The glaze added such a lovely sweet-tangy flavor.
- ★★★★★
These pork chops were the star of the dinner party! The apple cider glaze was perfect and the chops stayed juicy.