Apple Butter Pork Chops with Creamy Apple Sauce
Apple Butter Pork Chops with Creamy Apple Sauce is a tender and juicy pork chop dish that beautifully balances the sweet richness of apple butter with savory spices and a smooth, velvety apple cream sauce. Simple to prepare with pantry staples and fresh apples, this comforting recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, delivering bold flavors and a creamy, satisfying texture.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-searing and simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Meat
- 4 bone-in or boneless pork chops
Apple Sauce & Spices
- 1/2 cup apple butter
- 2 cups fresh tart apples, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Dairy & Fats
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
Oils & Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the pork chops: Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel and generously season both sides with salt and pepper to ensure a flavorful crust when searing.
- Sear the pork chops: Heat a mix of olive oil and butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the pork chops and sear for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove chops from skillet and set aside to rest.
- Cook the aromatics and apples: In the same skillet, add diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant. Then add chopped apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg, stirring occasionally until the apples start to soften.
- Make the creamy apple sauce: Stir in apple butter and heavy cream to the pan. Lower the heat to medium and simmer gently until the sauce thickens to a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Combine and finish: Return the pork chops to the skillet, spoon some sauce over each one, and let everything simmer together for a few minutes so the flavors meld and the pork reheats perfectly.
Notes
- Use room temperature pork chops by letting them sit out for 15 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; sear chops in batches if needed to maintain a golden crust.
- Choose firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for best texture and flavor.
- Deglaze the pan with a splash of broth or apple cider before adding cream for extra flavor.
- Simmer the sauce gently on low heat after adding cream to prevent curdling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pork chop with sauce
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: apple butter pork chops, creamy apple sauce, pork chops recipe, sweet and savory pork, quick pork dinner, gluten free pork chops, apple pork recipe