Is there any meal more classic, more comforting, or more quintessentially American than a plate of juicy, savory pork chops served with warm, sweet applesauce? This incredible recipe takes that beloved, nostalgic pairing to a whole new, gourmet level with a stunning, from-scratch, Chunky Golden Apple Sauce that is bursting with the flavors of fresh ginger and warm spices. The entire dish is finished with a luscious, one-minute pan sauce that captures all the delicious, savory pork drippings.
This isn’t just another pork chop recipe; it’s a guide to your new favorite fall dinner. We’ll show you the simple secrets to a perfectly cooked, never-dry pork chop and how to create a homemade applesauce that is so much more delicious than anything you can buy in a jar. This is the ultimate cozy meal, guaranteed to make your whole house smell absolutely amazing.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate Fall Comfort Food Classic
What makes these Pork Chops with Applesauce so spectacularly delicious is the incredible, multi-layered flavor built from simple, fresh ingredients. The dish features thick-cut, boneless pork loin chops, which are pan-seared to a perfect golden brown to create a delicious crust while keeping the inside wonderfully juicy. The true star, however, is the from-scratch chunky applesauce, a beautiful medley of sweet Golden Delicious apples, golden raisins, and a warm, fragrant kick from a whole piece of fresh ginger. The final, restaurant-quality touch is a simple pan sauce made by deglazing the skillet with apple cider and swirling in butter.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 35 minutes |
| Active Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 4 |
The Essential Ingredients for This Cozy Meal
This recipe uses a handful of fresh, seasonal ingredients and pantry staples to create its signature comforting and savory flavor.
- The Pork Chops:
- Thick-Cut, Boneless Pork Loin Chops: This recipe calls for 1-inch thick, boneless chops, which are a fantastic choice. The thickness is key to ensuring the pork can get a beautiful sear on the outside without overcooking and drying out on the inside.
- The Homemade Chunky Applesauce:
- Golden Delicious Apples: This is the perfect apple for a beautiful, naturally sweet, golden sauce. Golden Delicious apples have a mild, sweet flavor and a tender flesh that breaks down beautifully when cooked, creating a perfect, chunky applesauce texture.
- The Aromatics: A 1-inch piece of fresh ginger root is simmered whole in the sauce, infusing it with a wonderful, warm, and spicy aroma without being overpowering. A classic blend of cinnamon and nutmeg adds that signature, cozy, “apple-pie-like” fragrance.
- Apple Juice or Cider: Using a good quality, all-natural apple juice or an unfiltered apple cider is the key to a deep, authentic apple flavor in the sauce.
- The 1-Minute Pan Sauce: A simple but elegant sauce made by deglazing the pan with a splash of apple juice and enriching it with a swirl of rich, unsalted butter.
Step-by-Step to Perfect Pork Chops and Applesauce
This elegant meal comes together in just a few simple stages.
Step 1: Make the Homemade Chunky Golden Apple Sauce
In a medium pot, combine your 4 chopped Golden Delicious apples, the 2 teaspoons of lemon juice, the 2 ounces of golden raisins, the 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, the 3 tablespoons of light brown sugar, the 2 cups of apple juice, the 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and the 1/4 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg.
Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let the sauce cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring it occasionally, until the apples are very soft and the sauce has thickened and reduced.
Once the sauce is done, remove it from the heat.
Part 2: Cook the Perfect Pan-Seared Pork Chops
Step 1: While the applesauce is cooking, prepare your pork. Pat your 4 boneless pork loin chops completely dry with a paper towel. Season the chops generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
Pro Tip: Patting the meat dry is the number one secret to getting a beautiful, golden-brown crust or sear!
Step 2: In a large nonstick skillet, heat the 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
Step 3: Using a pair of tongs, carefully add the seasoned chops to the hot skillet. Let the chops sear for about 2 minutes on each side to get a beautiful, deep golden-brown and caramelized crust.
Step 4: Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook the chops for another 5 to 6 minutes, turning them occasionally.
Pro Tip: The only 100% foolproof way to guarantee a juicy, perfectly cooked pork chop is to use an instant-read thermometer. Pork is perfectly and safely cooked when the internal temperature in the thickest part of the chop registers 145°F (63°C).
Step 5: Transfer the cooked pork chops to a clean plate and let them rest for a few minutes while you make the quick pan sauce. Do not wipe out the skillet!
Part 3: The 1-Minute Pan Sauce and Serving
Step 1: Deglaze the hot skillet with a splash of apple juice. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the delicious, flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Step 2: Add the 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet and let it melt into the pan juices to create a rich, glossy sauce. Step 3: To serve, pour the pan sauce over your rested pork chops. Be sure to remove the piece of ginger from the applesauce, and then top the chops with a generous portion of the warm, chunky Golden Apple Sauce.
The Best Pork Chops with Homemade Applesauce
A classic one-pan meal, this recipe features thick, pan-seared boneless pork chops served with a homemade, chunky golden apple sauce. The sauce is quickly made by simmering chopped Golden Delicious apples with apple cider, brown sugar, golden raisins, fresh ginger, and warm spices until a chunky sauce forms. The pork chops are seasoned and cooked in a separate skillet, which is then deglazed with a splash of apple juice and butter to create a simple pan sauce to drizzle over the meat.
Ingredients
- 4 Golden Delicious apples, chopped
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 ounces (a handful) golden raisins
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger root
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 cups all-natural apple juice or cider, plus a splash for pan sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
- 4 (1-inch) thick center-cut boneless pork loin chops (6 to 8 ounces each)
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Make the Apple Sauce: In a medium pot over medium-high heat, combine the chopped apples, lemon juice, raisins, ginger root, brown sugar, 2 cups of apple juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until a chunky sauce forms and the apples are soft. Remove the pot from the heat.
- Cook the Pork Chops: While the sauce cooks, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil to the pan.
- Season the pork chops on one side with salt and pepper. Place them in the hot skillet, seasoned-side down. Season the other side.
- Brown the chops for 2 minutes on each side. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook for another 5 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until the juices run clear.
- Remove the chops from the skillet and let them rest for a couple of minutes.
- Make the Pan Sauce and Serve: Deglaze the hot skillet with a splash of apple juice and the 2 tablespoons of butter, scraping up any browned bits. Pour this pan sauce over the rested chops.
- Before serving the apple sauce, remove the piece of ginger. Top the pork chops with generous portions of the warm golden apple sauce.
Notes
- This is a quick meal where the apple sauce and pork chops can be cooked concurrently.
- Letting the pork chops rest for a few minutes before serving is a key step that allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a more tender result.
- Deglazing the pan after cooking the pork creates a quick and flavorful pan sauce from the caramelized drippings.
What to Serve With Your Pork Chops and Applesauce
This beautiful skillet dinner is a fantastic, hearty meal. It pairs wonderfully with classic, comforting side dishes.
- Roasted Vegetables: Simple, roasted Brussels sprouts, green beans, or sweet potatoes are a wonderful, cozy accompaniment.
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes or Polenta: The perfect, classic partner for this dish, ideal for sopping up every last drop of that delicious, buttery pan sauce.
- A Hearty Grain: A bed of fluffy wild rice or quinoa is another fantastic and healthy choice.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Make-Ahead: For a super-fast and impressive weeknight meal, you can get a head start by preparing the entire chunky applesauce up to 5 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you are ready to eat, simply sear your pork chops and gently reheat the applesauce.
- Storage: Store any leftover pork chops and the applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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Creative Recipe Variations
- Add a Splash of Brandy or Bourbon: For an even richer and more sophisticated pan sauce, you can substitute the splash of apple juice with an equal amount of apple brandy (like Calvados), regular brandy, or even a good bourbon.
- Add Some Savory Herbs: For a more complex and herbaceous flavor, you can add a sprig of fresh rosemary or a few fresh sage leaves to the applesauce as it simmers.
- Use a Different Apple or Fruit: If you can’t find Golden Delicious apples, another sweet, soft apple like a Fuji or a Gala would be a great substitute. You could also substitute one of the apples with a firm, ripe pear for a different but equally delicious fall flavor.
Enjoy The Ultimate Cozy Fall Dinner!
You’ve just created a truly special dish that is a perfect harmony of wholesome, classic ingredients and delicious, satisfying flavors. These classic Pork Chops with a homemade, chunky Applesauce are a testament to the power of a simple, from-scratch meal to bring comfort and joy. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to become a new family favorite for all the cozy days of the year.
We hope you enjoy every last, perfect, and delicious bite!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves a good, easy, one-pan meal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What are the absolute best apples to use for making a homemade, chunky applesauce?
For a sauce, you want to use an apple that has a softer flesh that will break down easily when cooked. A Golden Delicious, as the recipe suggests, is a perfect choice for its sweet flavor and tender texture. Other fantastic “sauce” apples include McIntosh, Fuji, Gala, or Jonagold.
Q2: What is the absolute secret to a juicy, not dry, pork chop?
There are two main secrets! First, be sure to start with a thick-cut pork chop (at least 3/4- to 1-inch thick). Thinner pork chops are much more likely to overcook. Second, and most importantly, be very careful not to overcook them. The best way to check for doneness is with an instant-read thermometer. Pork is perfectly cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Q3: Can I make the chunky applesauce ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely! The homemade applesauce is a perfect make-ahead component. You can prepare it completely and store it in an airtight container or a jar in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Q4: Can I use bone-in pork chops for this recipe?
Of course! A thick-cut, bone-in pork chop would be fantastic in this recipe and will be even juicier. You will just need to increase the cooking time by a few minutes on each side to ensure that the meat is cooked all the way through to the bone.
Q5: What does it mean to “deglaze” a pan?
Deglazing is a simple but brilliant cooking technique. After you have seared meat in a pan, there will be delicious, caramelized brown bits (called the fond) stuck to the bottom. To “deglaze,” you simply pour a small amount of a cool liquid (like the apple juice in this recipe, or wine or broth) into the hot pan. The liquid will sizzle and release all those flavorful brown bits from the bottom of the pan, incorporating them into your sauce.