Pork Chops With Apples and Onions

Pork Chops with Apples and Onions are the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors, served together in an easy, delicious weeknight dinner. Just add your favorite side dish!

Apples are delicious in pies, tarts, and pastries, but they bring an unexpected pop of sweet-tart flavor when you use them in a savory recipe, like in these pork chops. Not only do we use fresh apples here, but also apple cider and apple cider vinegar, which is cooked with brown sugar and herbs to create a sweet glaze for the pork.

Is your mouth watering yet?!!

All the apple flavor brings out the sweetness of the onions, but there's still plenty of savory notes in this dish. And, of course, the pork chops are super tender and juicy thanks to that irresistible apple cider sauce!

(If you love pork chops for a simple weeknight meal, try my Baked Ranch Pork Chops too!)

How Do I Cook Pork Chops So They Don't Dry Out?

First, start with bone-in pork chops. This alone will help you get more tender, juicy results.

Cooking pork chops with a sauce helps, too, and you’ll want to make sure you don’t over-cook them—use a meat thermometer and cook the pork chops until they reach an internal temperature of 145ºF. Let the chops rest for 3 minutes before cutting.

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

• Bone-in, center-cut pork chops – As noted above, using bone-in pork chops will help them stay tender and juicy!
• Salt
• Pepper
• Butter – Salted or unsalted will both work; if you use unsalted butter, you’ll just need to add a little more salt when you’re seasoning this recipe.
• Apples
• White onion
• Apple cider – Apple cider has a fresher, more apple-y flavor than apple juice because it’s unfiltered.
• Apple cider vinegar
• Brown sugar – Light or dark brown sugar will work here.
• Rubbed sage
• Thyme
• Parsley – Sprigs of fresh thyme can be used for garnish instead, if you prefer.

What Apples Are Best for Cooking With?

Many of the same varieties of apples that are good for baking are good for cooking, too. You want a firm apple that won't fall apart when heated, and one that has a nice balance of sweet and tart. I like to use Honeycrisp or Pink Lady in this recipe, but Granny Smith is a great option if you prefer a tangier apple. 

How to Make Pork Chops With Apples and Onions

Ready for the best pork chops you’ve ever had? Let’s get started!

Season the pork chops. Sprinkle both sides of the pork chops with salt and pepper, making sure they’re evenly coated.

Start the chops. Melt half of the butter in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add the pork chops and cook them for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until they’re golden brown. Transfer the chops to a plate and return the skillet to the stovetop.

Sauté the apples and onion. Melt the remaining butter in the skillet. Add the apples and onion to the pan and cook until they’re softened, about 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk the apple cider, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, sage, and thyme. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the apples and onions.

Finish. Place the pork chops in the skillet and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping the chops around the 5 minute mark. Remove from heat, garnish, and serve.

Tips for Success

If you've had trouble getting pork chops just right before, these simple tips will help!

• Season evenly. Don’t forget to add salt and pepper to both sides of the pork chops before you cook them. 
• Cut the apples and onions as thinly as possible. This helps minimize the cooking time. If you prefer softer apples and onions, continue to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes after simmering and removing the pork chops. 
• Use a meat thermometer if you have one. The cooking times here were tested with ½-inch thick pork chops; if yours are thinner or thicker, getting a temperature from a meat thermometer is crucial. A fully-cooked pork chop is 145ºF at its thickest point.
• Let the pork chops rest. They only need 3 minutes of resting time, so by the time you remove them from the pan, plate them, and add your side dish, they should be ready to cut!

What Sides Go Well With Pork Chops?

Here are some side dish ideas for Pork Chops With Apples and Onions:

• Air Fryer Asparagus
• Green Beans with Bacon and Pine Nuts
• Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
• Roasted Cauliflower
• Butternut Squash Risotto
• Garlic Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes

How to Store and Reheat This Recipe

Leftover pork chops can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the pork chops, apples, and onions in a baking dish, cover it with foil, and bake at 350ºF until heated through. You can also warm up leftovers in the microwave, but the texture won’t be quite as good.

Can You Freeze Leftovers?

Yes, you can freeze leftover pork chops. Place the pork chops in a freezer bag or airtight container and they will keep for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw the pork chops in the refrigerator overnight, then follow the instructions above for reheating.