If youāre looking for a dinner that combines savory richness with a touch of sweetness, look no further than Pork Chops with Apple Cider Glaze. This dish beautifully balances the juicy, tender pork with a tangy, caramelized glaze made from apple cider, creating a meal thatās perfect for fall or any time youāre craving comfort food with a twist.
The star of this dish is the pork chop itself. When cooked right, pork chops are tender and juicy with a slightly crispy exterior. Theyāre typically seared in a hot skillet to achieve that golden brown crust, then simmered in the apple cider glaze, which infuses the meat with rich flavor. The glaze is made by simmering apple cider with a touch of brown sugar, mustard, and apple cider vinegar, creating a perfect balance of sweetness, acidity, and a hint of spice.
The glaze thickens as it cooks, transforming into a sticky, glossy sauce that coats the pork chops beautifully. The sweetness of the cider is enhanced by the brown sugar, while the vinegar adds just enough tang to balance the richness of the pork. A pinch of thyme or rosemary adds earthy depth to the glaze, bringing everything together.
This dish is as easy to make as it is delicious. Start by searing the pork chops to develop that savory crust, then let the apple cider glaze reduce while the pork finishes cooking. Serve the chops with a drizzle of the sweet glaze and a side of roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or even a simple salad for a complete meal.
The combination of tender pork, caramelized apple cider, and savory herbs creates a dish that is both hearty and comforting. Pork Chops with Apple Cider Glaze is the perfect recipe to impress guests or enjoy as a cozy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 4 Pork chops boneless
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp thyme dried
Instructions
- Season the pork chops with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the pork chops and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
- Remove the pork chops from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add apple cider, brown sugar, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and dried thyme.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes until thickened and syrupy.
- Return the pork chops to the skillet and spoon the glaze over the top.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the pork chops are coated and heated through.
- Serve the pork chops with the remaining glaze drizzled on top.
Nutrition
i dont have the Dijon mustard! Can I just leave it out?
Did anyone else find the thyme really overpowering?
Looks good but I think Iāll just go with grilled chicken instead. Easier!
Just made it, and my husband thought it was too soggy. Hmmm. š¤·āāļø
Soggy? I thought it was supposed to be moist. Sounds yummy overall! š
Maybe you cooked them too long? They should be juicy, but not soggy. š¤
I made this for my family, and they loved it! 10/10 would recommend. Just donāt skip the glaze!
Glad to hear your family enjoyed it! The glaze really makes a difference, huh? I tried it too, and it was a hit!
Yum! šš
Kinda strange combination, but it surprisingly worked out well. Thumbs up!
Strange? Nah, my grandma did this all the time. Works every time but I thought nobody else knew lol.
I thought the same! But itās really delicious. Glad you liked it! š
I added some garlic and it was great! Really gave it a boost. Anyone else tried variations?
Absolutely loved this recipe! The glaze was sweet and tangy, perfect combination. Will definitely make it again.
Yum! I canāt wait to try this. Sounds delish š¤¤
Tried this for a family dinner and everyone wanted seconds! A huge hit. Thanks for sharing.
Apple cider glaze? More like apple cider SUCKS! Sorry, not for me.
My mom used to make something like this but with orange juice instead of cider. Same vibe.
Orange juice? Idk, it might taste weird with pork. Cider sounds better.
That sounds delicious! Iāve never thought about using orange juice. Maybe Iāll try that next time.
I found this recipe super easy to follow. Iām not a good cook but this worked for me!
Iām glad you found it easy! Cooking can be fun when the recipe is simple. Donāt worry, practice makes perfect!
Wow, this was a hit at dinner! Thanks for the recipe! š
This is seriously the best pork chop recipe Iāve ever tried! The glaze is just amazing!
I canāt believe how easy this recipe was! My family loved it! Thanks for sharing!
Easy to cook AND delicious! Iāll definitely share this recipe with my friends. Super simple!
Iām glad you loved it! This dish is a hit at my house too. Canāt wait to hear what your friends think! š
I wasnāt too sure about the apple cider at first, but oh wow! It totally transformed the pork chops. Yum!
I tried it but the glaze was way too sweet for my taste. Maybe cut back on the brown sugar?
I think I could do this with chicken too, right? Itās basically the same, no?
Is there anything else I can use instead of apple cider? I donāt have any.
The sweetness of the glaze was a bit too much for me. Next time Iāll use less sugar.
Too many ingredients for something that should be simple. Just need salt and pepper.
Nah, I think simpler is better! Why complicate things? Just cook the pork chops and season with salt and pepper and wham, itās done.
I understand where youāre coming from, but the glaze really elevates the dish! Itās about balancing flavors, not just salt and pepper.
meh, not my favorite. thought it would be better. maybe Im just not a fan of apple sauce on meat.
Not bad, but i preferred my pork chops grilled instead. Just my opinion tho.
Pork chop? Never heard of this! Thought it was just ham! š¤
yummy! I love the combo of sweet and tangy flavors. So good!
I dunnoā¦ this seems weird. Pork with apple? Are you sure thatās good?
Absolutely agree! The sweetness from the apple cider really makes it pop! š
The pork chops were dry. I followed the recipe exactly, what went wrong?
simple & delicious. I love apple cider in everything now!
My kids loved it! I didnāt have dijon mustard, so I used yellow mustard and it was still good. Thanks!
Not sure if yellow mustard is the sameā¦ but if your kids liked it, thatās what matters! Iām just skeptical about the taste. š¤
Glad your kids liked it! Yellow mustard works great too. Cooking is all about using what you have! š½ļø
This recipe is fantastic! The apple cider glaze adds such a nice touch. Iām making it again tonight!
Pork chops turned out a bit dryā¦ maybe I cooked them too long? Unsure if I want to try this again.
Dry pork chops? Nah, just drown āem in sauce! Itās all about the glaze, right?
I think it could be the cooking time! Pork can dry out if overcooked. Maybe try lowering the heat next time?
Looks good, but Iām not sure about apple cider with meat? Seems strangeā¦ Canāt imagine it tastes good.
I dunnoā¦ Sounds weird to me too. Meat and juice from apples? I mean, are we makinā a salad or dinner?
Trust me, apple cider with pork is delicious! It adds a sweetness that balances the savory flavors. You might be surprised!