Apple Butter Pork Chops – Easy Glazed Pork Chops
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Impress your guests with mouthwatering Apple Butter Pork Chops! Succulent loin rib chops and apple butter create a delectable fusion of savory sweet flavors.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Pork Chops And Apple Butter Glaze
Savory bone-in chops are the perfect foil for tangy-sweet apple butter glaze with the peppery zing of Dijon.
- This pork chop recipe works for all occasions, from a casual family dinner to more formal gatherings.
- Pork loin rib chops are more flavorful than boneless chops, setting this glazed pork chop recipe apart.
- Using apple butter instead of applesauce creates a richer, caramelized flavor with bright apple essence.
- With its salty, peppery bite, Dijon mustard brings balance to the sweetness of apple butter glaze.
Introduction To Apple Butter
Apple butter is a traditional American, cooked apple condiment spread from the Pennsylvania Dutch community that dates back to colonial times. Apple Butter is a thicker, caramelized cousin of applesauce crafted by monks, likely originating in medieval Europe.
This tasty spread is made by simmering apples until they soften and thicken, developing caramelized sweetness from the natural and added sugars. Warming spices are typically added, with the comforting flavors of cinnamon and cloves shining through.
Apple butter is a popular spread for toast, biscuits, and pancakes, and it is used in recipes like our Apple Butter Glazed Pork Chops and baked goods.
What You’ll Need For Glazed Pork Chops
For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Apple Butter – sweetly spiced apple spread with intense natural apple flavor.
- Honey – sweet, viscous honey helps the mustardy apple butter glaze to stick to the meat.
- Dijon Mustard – dijon mustard is a smooth, vinegar-forward mustard with a sharp mustard flavor and a tangy kick at the finish.
- Olive Oil
- Pork Loin Rib Chops – 1-inch to 1.5-inch thick bone-in chops are our favorite and have more flavor, but boneless chops will work too.
- Garlic Cloves – minced.
- Salt And Pepper – to taste.
- Fresh Thyme And Fresh Sage – Aromatic herbs adding fresh and earthy undertones round out the glazed pork chop flavors and add to the visual presentation.
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How To Make Apple Butter Glazed Pork Chops
You’ll need a few essential kitchen tools for this recipe: an oven-safe skillet, bowl, whisk, and some measuring utensils.
When you are making this recipe, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Whisk the apple butter glaze ingredients and set aside.
- Sear seasoned and glazed pork chops in a heated cast iron skillet on medium-high heat for 3 minutes on each side.
- Flip and spread another layer of apple butter glaze; add garlic, cloves, and fresh herbs to the skillet and transfer to the oven.
- Bake until internal temp reaches 135-140° F,* 6-10 minutes. Your pork chops will continue to cook, let them rest for 5 minutes or until it reaches 145° F.
- Serve. Remove the chops from the skillet and serve with your favorite sides.
*Food Safety:
The USDA recommends that pork reach an internal temperature of at least 145° F, with a full, 3-5 minute resting period. This ensures that potentially harmful bacteria are effectively eliminated, and juices are redistributed, resulting in safe and succulent pork.
Recipe Notes And Tips
- Use a meat thermometer for perfectly cooked chops every time.
- Let pork chops sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to avoid overcooking, the number one reason pork chops become dry and tough.
- Take the pork chops out of the oven when they reach 135-140°F. Let them rest for 5-10 minutes as they will continue cooking, reaching the ideal serving temperature of 145°F.
- Just be aware if you use boneless pork chops, they are super lean, so the cooking time will be shorter.
Tips For Using A Meat Thermometer
Using a digital meat thermometer for the absolute best glazed pork chops means you can cook meat perfectly every time. If you’re new to cooking with a meat thermometer, here are a few tips to never overcook meat again!
- Make sure the thermometer is inserted into the middle of the thickest part of the pork chop.
- Do not touch any bones or fat when inserting the thermometer to avoid a false reading.
- Take the pork chops from the oven when they reach 135° – 140° F.
- Let the meat rest for at least 5 minutes or until it reaches 145°F before serving. The meat continues to cook and the rest time allows the juices to be redistributed throughout.
- Clean the digital thermometer with hot, soapy water before and after each use.
Storage
This delicious pork chop recipe tastes great as leftovers, too. To avoid drying them out while reheating, loosely cover them with foil (oven) or paper (microwave) to keep them moist.*
Refrigerate/Leftovers
Store leftover glazed pork chops in an air-tight container or bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze
To freeze, wrap the pork chops tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat
To reheat, simply place the pork chops in a baking dish, loosely covered, baking at 325° F for 10-15 minutes or until heated.
*Note:
Reheating pork without drying it out, especially if you use boneless chops, can be a bit challenging. The oven or toaster oven will give you the best results, and it’s low, slow, and slathered! Reinvigorate your glazed pork chops with a smaller portion of the apple butter glaze recipe and spread over the meat for extra moisture while reheating. A simple pat of butter on top, or a mixture of apple butter and oil, will do the trick, too.
FAQs
Yes, you can use boneless pork chops if you prefer a leaner option. Just be aware that boneless chops require shorter cooking times.
Of course, you can easily substitute applesauce for apple butter in a glazed pork recipe unless otherwise noted. Be mindful that there is a significant difference in taste, spices, and texture. Think how easily you can tell brown sugar from white sugar.
Pork loin rib chops are specifically sourced from the rib area of the pig, which contains the rib bone, known for its tenderness and flavor, hence the name ‘rib’ chops. Pork chops also come from the loin muscle, which extends from a hog’s shoulder to its hip. The meat from this area can be tougher due to its role as a load-bearing muscle in the animal.
In the past, ‘chop’ was the term butcher shops used to describe thick cuts of meat, usually including a bone for pork and beef. Today, these thick beef cuts are typically called “steaks,” while “pork chops” maintain the classic name for loin pork slices that can be with or without bones.
Serving Suggestions
Gorgeous pork loin rib chops are easy to serve with potatoes and a green (or red or orange) veggie. Accompany this favorite pork entree with some Cheesy Bread and Baked Parmesan Risotto to make it a complete meal!
There are a plethora of potato options these days to please even the fussiest palate:
- Acorn Squash Mashed Potatoes
- Dreamy Twice-Baked Potatoes
- New Potatoes Tossed In Butter And Parsley
- Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Wild Rice w/Sweet Potatoes and Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Hot German Potato Casserole
- Cheesy Smashed Baked Potatoes
For a bit of “green,” that is a step above seasoned and steamed, check out:
Recipe Additions & Substitutions
- Sprinkle glazed pork chops with toasted pecans or almonds for a buttery crunch.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the apple butter glazed for a hint of heat.
- Whole peeled garlic cloves baked in cast iron with pork chops are buttery, delicious morsels.!
- Try using different fruit preserves or jam flavors like cherry, apricot, or orange marmalade.
Like This Recipe?
I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a review below and let me know how you liked the recipe!
Apple Butter Glazed Pork Chops
An easy and delightful twist on a classic dinner dish! Apple Butter Glazed Pork Chops – ready on your table in less than 15 minutes!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup apple butter
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 pork loin rib chops (1-inch to 1.5-inches thick)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1-2 garlic cloves, smashed or minced
- 2-3 Sprigs of fresh thyme and fresh sage
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Whisk together apple butter, honey, mustard, and 1 tablespoon of oil in a small bowl and set aside.
- Season each pork chop lightly with salt and pepper. Heat a cast iron or ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil.
- Brush both sides of the pork evenly with ⅓ of the apple butter glaze on each side. Add pork chops to skillet and sear one side for 3 minutes.
- Flip chops, spread remaining apple butter glaze on top, add smashed garlic cloves and fresh herbs to the skillet, and transfer to the oven.
- Bake for 6-10 minutes, until internal temp reaches 135°-140° F.
- Remove the chops from the oven, let them rest for 5-10 minutes as they will continue cooking, reaching the ideal serving temperature of 145°F. Plate and serve with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Set your chops out on the counter for 10-15 minutes to get the chill off before cooking. This will assure that they cook evenly.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.
- Bone-in chops are our favorite and have more flavor, but boneless chops will work too. Just be aware that boneless pork chops are super lean, so the cooking time will be shorter.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 509Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 412mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 1gSugar: 21gProtein: 27g
Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used and are just estimates. We encourage, especially if these numbers are important to you, to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
Hi there, I'm Cheryl!
As a wife, mom, and caffeine enthusiast, my journey has taken me from bustling mornings with my family to sharing delicious recipes, home care tips, and heartfelt decorating insights with wonderful readers like you. My love for baking, photography, and tidiness shines through every post I craft. Dive into my world and discover the art of homemaking, one tidy moment at a time. Read more...
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These sound good. I am going to make them.