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Simplifying dinner tonight with these Apple Butter and Sage Pork Chops. This easy recipe is all things fall. Pan seared pork chops with apple butter, sage, a splash of balsamic, and a little browned butter…for good measure. It doesn’t get simpler, cozier, or more delicious than this pork chop recipe. Great any night of the week with a side of creamy polenta and a colorful salad.

overhead, close up photo of Apple Butter and Sage Pork Chops in skillet with spoon and apples

Did you grow up eating pork chops? I did not, and for the longest time cooking with pork chops has never excited me. But within the last two years or so I’ve really grown to like them. I don’t make them often, maybe once every few months, but when I do make them, I always ask myself why I don’t cook with pork chops more.

Sometimes I get so stuck in my chicken dinner routine that I forget to incorporate other forms of protein. Anyone else do the same? Today it’s time to break out of the chicken rut and embrace a dinner that’s just a little different (at least for me).

raw pork chops with sage

A few years ago when I was testing recipes for the HBH cookbook, I started to play around with pork chops. In the end I developed one of my favorite recipes in the book, the balsamic fig roasted pork chops. It’s sweet, savory, and a great way to incorporate figs into dinner. It’s also so easy.

This recipe today is inspired by the pork chops in the cookbook. Fig season is so short, and I always have the hardest time finding fresh figs up here in the mountains. So I wanted to create an autumn inspired pork chop recipe for when I can’t find fresh figs at the store.

Enter these apple butter and sage pork chops. Very different from the recipe in the cookbook, but just as delicious.

Side Note: It’s been so chaotic lately that I’m just now realizing that we passed the cookbook’s one year anniversary this month! It’s so crazy that the book has been out for an entire year now. What’s even crazier? To this very day I am still getting messages, photos, and comments through email, the blog, and Instagram about the cookbook. It’s the BEST thing in the world, and I just have to say THANK YOU to you guys. I love seeing all the recipes you have made. It’s fills me with so much happiness knowing that you guys are still, even a year later, enjoying the HBH cookbook. Thank you. THANK YOU!

apples in skillet with sage

Just like chicken, pork chops are incredibly quick cooking. This recipe takes thirty minutes tops and uses under ten ingredients, Honestly, I didn’t know I could create a recipe with an ingredient list so short. But hey, I did, and hey, I kind of love it.

Here is how this works.

Start with a heavy cast iron skillet (this is my current favorite Staub skillet) and get it screaming hot. Pan sear the pork chops to give them a nice crust, then lower the heat to slowly cook them though. Once they are cooked, remove the chops from the skillet and rub them with a thin layer of apple butter.

Yes, I am apple butter obsessed right now. Really hoping you guys do not mind. In my defense, it’s truly just the most addicting spread that can be used in both sweet and savory recipes. Hands down my favorite ingredient right now.

To the same skillet, sear the pork chops, add some butter, and cook the garlic, sage and apples for a few minutes to give them a head start on cooking before heading to the oven. Add the chops back to the skillet and drizzle with a little balsamic vinegar for a nice tang. Then transfer everything to the oven, and broil until the apples have a nice char on the edges.

And done.

Personally, I really love serving these pork chops alongside some creamy polenta (with cheddar cheese swirled throughout). But wild rice and quinoa would be equally great options.

And then a nice salad to round out the meal.

Autumn dinner perfection, right?

overhead photo of Apple Butter and Sage Pork Chops in skillet with apples and spoon

If you make these apple butter and sage pork chops, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Apple Butter and Sage Pork Chops

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 3
Calories Per Serving: 405 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat the broiler to high.
    2. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Season the pork chops all over with kosher salt and pepper. Add the olive oil to the skillet, when the oil shimmers, add the pork and sear on both sides for 2-3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking for about 5 minutes, or until the pork chops are cooked through.
    3. Remove the pork from the pan to a plate. Spread each pork chop with a layer of apple butter. 
    4. To the skillet, add the butter, garlic, apples, and sage. Cook 1-2 minutes then remove from the heat. Slide the pork back into the the skillet. Drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the pork. Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil for 2-3 minutes or until the apples are lightly charred. 
    4. Remove from the oven and top with fresh thyme. Spoon the butter over the pork chops. Serve and enjoy!
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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    The flavor was amazing and it was an easy recipe! I made it twice in one month. I used the broiler the second time but it was great both with and without using it. Another amazing recipe from Tieghan!

    1. Hey Grace,
      Wonderful!! I’m so glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend:) xT

  2. 5 stars
    First of all, this was delicious! A few notes from my experience. I made 4 fairly large chops at one time. I used a Lodge enamel cast iron pan. Added some dried thyme to the seasoning of the chops. After the meat was cooked, went on with the next step. However, my pan was pretty crowded with 2 sliced apples and there was a lot of great brown crusty bits so after a few minutes cooking the apples, I deglazed with some apple cider vinegar. I never did the broiler step, seemed unnecessary. Will be making this again!

    1. Hey Lisa,
      Happy Friday!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! Thanks for sharing your notes:) xx

  3. 5 stars
    Great recipe! Save some of the pork juices for the palenta. We also substituted the apples for pears and it was delicious.

  4. 5 stars
    This is going to be on repeat! It’s a relatively quick and easier recipe. I love the extra layer of flavor from the apple butter. I served with mashed potatoes. Yum! My husband took one bite and said, Oh my God, this is amazing! Thanks for another homerun recipe!

  5. Just got from Cancun and a little tired of eating outside. So I had pork chops and found a recipe for it in your site.
    I did not have all the ingredients, I used dry thyme and fresh parsley, and green apples. It was delicious and so easy. I can’t wait to try it with all the right ingredients.

    1. Hey there,
      Happy Saturday!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and your comment! So glad to hear it was enjoyed:)

      1. 5 stars
        This was so good. I struggle with overcooking my pork chops but these came out so juicy and full of flavor. My store did not have fresh sage so I used about 1 1/2 Tbs. of fresh rosemary and no apple butter! So I used cinnamon applesauce. Still very good.

  6. 5 stars
    This was fun to make and so delicious! I used balsamic glaze instead of just the vinegar and made a nice drizzle design on the top that make it look even better.

  7. 5 stars
    This has become a family tradition for us each October.

    I prefer this without balsamic and minimal apple butter. Then you can really taste the sage and pork chop and it’s not overly sweet. I recommend doubling the apples… you’ll want more of this goodness, and some French bread on the side to soak up the sage butter sauce. Nom nom!

    Definitely recommend. And makes your home smell AMAZING.

    1. Hi Ally,
      Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was such a hit! Thanks so much for giving it a try!😎☀️ xT

  8. I don’t know if you will see this in time…. I’m making for dinner tonight and would like to do as much as possible before guests arrive. Do you think I could do all but the broiling step ahead of time and then finish with that step just before serving? Maybe add a little time if the pan has been in the fridge?

    1. Hi Sue,
      Sure, I don’t see why that wouldn’t work for you. I probably wouldn’t add the pan to the fridge:) I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any other questions! xT

  9. 5 stars
    Super flavorful! I barely had any butter sauce left over after broiling, so I will double those ingredients next time. The apples were phenomenal!

    1. Hey Djienne,
      Happy Sunday!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for making it! xT

  10. 5 stars
    First time I ever made pork chops and they turned out great. I didn’t have any apple butter, but I did have fig butter from Trader Joe’s, it worked great with the other flavors. Other than that I followed the recipe exactly. The times instructed were perfect.

    1. Hey Amy,
      Fantastic!!🐣 Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your comment, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xT

  11. Hi! I’m making this tomorrow, can’t wait ¨̮ you mention cooking the pork chops 2-3 min each side then 5 min through. Is that 5 min on each side or 2.5 min each side?

    1. Hi Samantha,
      So you’re going to cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, then after that you will cook an additional 5 minutes:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx

      1. Sounds so yummy! Think cook time should be the same for boneless? I have 4 boneless chops and would love to try this tonight!

        1. Hey Melanie,
          You could probably reduce the cook time just slightly:) Let me know if you have any other questions! xT