This recipe for Pork Chops and Apples creates a hearty and flavorful skillet dinner with tender, juicy pork, sweet apples and a warm apple cider sauce. It cooks in under thirty minutes, turning a few simple ingredients into a comforting weeknight meal everyone will love.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Pork Chops with Apples Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients for Pork Chops with Apples
• 🔪 How to Make Pork Chops with Apples
• 💡 Tips
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 What to Serve with Pork Chop with Apples
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• Can I Use Bone-In Pork Chops For This Recipe?
• How Do I Know When the Pork Chops Are Done Without Cutting into Them?
• My Sauce Tastes Too Sweet. What Should I Adjust?
• The Pork Browned Unevenly. What Caused It?
• Can I Double the Recipe in One Skillet?
• 🍽️ More Pork Chop Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Pork Chops with Apples Recipe

• Tender juicy pork chops
• Crisp sweet apples and onions
• Braised in an apple cider sauce
• Made in under 30 minutes
• Perfect for busy weeknights

I am always looking for ways to create new and delicious pork chop recipes and there's no better combination of flavors than Pork Chops and Apples. The pork cooks to perfection until tender and juicy and apples soften, adding a little sweetness to the other savory flavors. I complete the dish with an apple cider sauce that’s smooth, cozy, and brings all the flavors together.

A great thing about this recipe is that everything comes together in one skillet, which not only keeps things easy but also allows the ingredients to meld as they cook. The apples and onions turn soft and flavorful while the sauce thickens just enough to coat the pork. It is simple, delicious, and a great weeknight recipe you can have on the table in 30 minutes or less.

Looking for other pork chop skillet recipes? Be sure to check out my French Onion Smothered Pork Chops!

🛒 Ingredients for Pork Chops with Apples

• Pork chops
• Apples
• Onion
• Bacon
• Apple cider
• Butter
• Brown monk fruit/allulose
• Sage
• Dried thyme
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Large skillet
• Meat thermometer

🔪 How to Make Pork Chops with Apples

Heat a large skillet and add in the bacon.  Fry until crisp, then remove and set side, leaving the fat in the pan.

Lightly fry 4 sage leaves on both sides, then remove and set them aside.

Add in the pork chops in the skillet, sprinkle with half the salt, ground black pepper and dried thyme.

Fry for a couple of minutes on each side, until they are almost cooked through, but not completely done. You can check using a meat thermometer, which you want to read just under 145°F.

Remove and set them aside.

Add in the butter, onions, apples and remaining salt.  Sauté until tender, then mix in the brown sweetener and cinnamon.

Pour in the apple cider to deglaze the pan, scraping up any brown bits of flavor.  Simmer and allow the cider to reduce slightly and add the pork chops back in.

Continue simmering until the pork chops are reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F.

Add the pork chops to the plate, spoon the apples and onion mixture over the top. Lastly, garnish with the crispy bacon and fried sage leaves, then serve.

💡 Tips

• Try to buy or slice your chop in the same thickness so they will cook evenly.
• Keep the heat at medium once the apples are added so they soften gently without breaking apart.
• Let the cider simmer uncovered so it reduces naturally and concentrates in flavor.
• Taste the sauce before returning the pork and adjust the seasoning if needed.
• Make sure the bacon is crisp before removing it so it adds good texture at the end.
• Avoid overcrowding the skillet because it lowers the heat and prevents browning.

☑️ Storage Instructions

Refrigerator: Store leftover pork chops in an airtight container for up to three days. You can keep the apples and pork together so the flavors continue to blend.

Freezer: Freeze in freezer safe containers for up to two months. Then, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

🍴 What to Serve with Pork Chop with Apples

• Green Beans with Crispy Prosciutto
• Easy Grilled Asparagus
• Classic Coleslaw
• Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
• Oven Roasted Broccoli
• Honey Roasted Butternut Squash

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Apples: Swap honey crisp apples for Granny Smith if you enjoy a slightly tart flavor. You can also add a few peeled apple slices for a mix of textures if you prefer softer fruit.

• Mustard: Stir in a spoon of Dijon mustard to add gentle tang to the cider sauce.

• Spices: Add a pinch of smoked paprika for a deeper savory note.

• Cream: Add a splash of cream at the very end for a creamy, glossy sauce.

• Chicken: Not a fan of pork? You can use boneless chicken breasts or thighs if you want a lighter protein that still works well with apples.

Can I Use Bone-In Pork Chops For This Recipe?

Yes, just extend the cook time and use a thermometer to confirm the pork reaches at least 145°F.

How Do I Know When the Pork Chops Are Done Without Cutting into Them?

Truly, the best way is to use a digital meat thermometer and check from the side of the chop. Pull them at 145°F so they stay tender.

My Sauce Tastes Too Sweet. What Should I Adjust?

Add a pinch of salt or a small splash of cider vinegar. Both balance sweetness without changing the texture.

The Pork Browned Unevenly. What Caused It?

The pan likely wasn’t evenly heated or the chops weren’t fully dry. Give the skillet a minute to heat and pat the pork dry before seasoning.

Can I Double the Recipe in One Skillet?

Only if your pan is large enough for the pork to sit in a single layer. Otherwise, brown the pork in two batches and finish everything together in the sauce.

🍽️ More Pork Chop Recipes

• Pork Marsala
• Stuffed Pork Chops
• Air Fryer Bone-in Pork Chops
• Easy Grilled Pork Chops