The classic combination of pork and apples is a warm and cozy dinner on a chilly fall evening. Center cut pork chops star along with apples in Thyme Rubbed Pork Chops with Apple Shallot Sauce.
Having a dinner of pork chops and applesauce with my siblings and parents is a meal that brings back fond childhood memories. It was one of the “regulars” in the rotating menu of dinners my mom would prepare. By putting an updated twist on the classic fall meal, I developed a new family favorite in my home of Thyme Rubbed Pork Chops with Apple Shallot Sauce.
the ingredients for thyme rubbed pork chops
- boneless center cut pork chops
- kosher salt
- granulated sugar
- cold water
- fresh thyme
- pepper
- extra virgin olive oil
- apples
- shallots
- garlic
- reduced sodium chicken stock
- white wine
- honey
- Dijon mustard
- Garam masala
- salted butter
One of my go-to meats to prepare is pork tenderloin. But, occasionally I like to pick up some perfectly portioned center cut pork chops for dinner instead. To ensure the most tasty and tender of chops, I employ a quick process called brining.
what is brining?
Soak the pork briefly in a solution of water, salt and sugar before cooking. It dramatically improves the flavor of the meat as well as the tenderness. Brining is super easy. Once you taste the difference that brining makes, it will become an essential step when preparing an entrée including pork.
I like recipes that include readily available ingredients but, are a little out of the ordinary. The star ingredients include center cut pork chops, apples, shallots, and an aromatic blend of spices known in Indian cooking as Garam Masala. It is in the spice aisle of grocery stores and adds a warm, sweet flavor to the dish.
Apples are one fruit which I always have on hand. Both crisp and tart Granny Smith and sweet and slightly soft Macintosh apples are two favorites tucked in the refrigerator fruit drawer. The contrasting tastes of these two apples are perfect in the recipe.
Shallots are the milder cousin of the onion. I like their compact size as a couple of the bulb shaped shallots are perfect in most recipes. After a quick brine in a salty and sugary bath, the pan sautéed pork chops are topped with a chunky apple and shallot sauce that gets pumped up flavor from Dijon mustard and Garam Masala.
what to serve with pork chops with apple shallot sauce
This dish is simple to prepare yet packs a complex flavor wallop. Serve it with sautéed baby potatoes sprinkled with fresh parsley and roasted spears of tender asparagus. More delicious side dish options include this easy risotto recipe, cheddar stuffed potatoes, apple and bacon stuffed sweet potatoes, and roasted Brussels sprouts with honey and mustard.
If you make this delicious fall recipe for pork chops with apple shallot sauce, I’d love hearing from you all. Be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating ~ I do my best to reply to all your comments. And snap a photo to post to Instagram. I’ll add the photos to my Insta stories as I love seeing all your creations.
Also check out my Facebook and Pinterest pages for lots of fabulous foodie stories, videos, cooking tips, and recipes.
Try these delicious pork recipes....
- Maple Glazed Pork with Sautéed Apples
- Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Bacon Berry Sauce
- Barbecue Pork Tenderloin Sliders with Tangy Cole Slaw
- Chipotle Honey Orange Pork Tenderloin Medallions
recipe
Thyme Rubbed Pork Chops with Apple Shallot Sauce
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
The classic combination of pork and apples is a warm and cozy dinner on a chilly fall evening. Center cut pork chops star along with apples in Thyme Rubbed Pork Chops with Apple Shallot Sauce.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 - ounce) pork chops, boneless, center cut and about 1-inch thick each
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- kosher salt
- pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 apples (peeled and chopped in large dice, I use Granny Smith and McIntosh)
- 2 shallots (sliced thin)
- 1 garlic clove (chopped)
- 1/2 cup reduced sodium chicken stock
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
Instructions
- Dissolve the salt and sugar in 6 cups of cold water in a bowl or container large enough to hold the pork chops and brine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.
- Remove pork chops from the brine and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle pork chops with thyme, salt and pepper. Heat a sauté pan over medium high heat and add oil. Add pork and sauté on each side for about 4 - 5 minutes or until just cooked through. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
- In the same pan, add the apple, shallot, and garlic. Sauté, stirring occasionally, for 3 - 5 minutes or until the apples begin to just soften and the shallots are translucent. Stir in chicken stock, wine, honey, mustard, and Garam Masala. Continue cooking for an additional 3 - 5 minutes or until the sauce is slightly thickened. Stir in the butter until it is melted. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
- Spoon the apple shallot sauce over the pork chops and serve.
Notes
What is brining?
Soak the pork briefly in a solution of water, salt and sugar before cooking. It dramatically improves the flavor of the meat as well as the tenderness. Brining is super easy. Once you taste the difference that brining makes, it will become an essential step when preparing an entrée including pork.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: entree
- Method: cook on stove top
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: thyme pork chops, pork chops with apples, easy dinner, dinner ideas
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