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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 apple butter pork chop recipe. Great any night of the week with a side of creamy polenta and a colorful salad.
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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 dish that’s just a little different (at least for me).
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 has the best flavor.
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!
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 used to 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 for a delicious sauce. Place pork chops back in 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 mashed potatoes would be equally great options.
And then a nice salad to round out the meal.
Autumn dinner perfection, right?
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
Ingredients
- 2 bone-in pork chops, about 1 inch thick
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 12 fresh sage leaves
- 2 garlic cloves, smashed
- 2 tablespoons apple butter
- 1-2 honeycrisp apples, cut into wedges
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
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!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Made this today, the only thing I forgot to add was the fresh thyme. Added sides of southern collard greens and mashed sweet potatoes. (A little more savory recipe as opposed to sweet). Everyone raved over the entire meal. (Had to double the recipe for a group of 6 people). Will definitely make again.
Hey Valerie,
Happy Monday!!⛄️ Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xT
I haven’t tried this yet and would like to; I wanted to ask if sage doesn’t tend to be a favorite flavor in our house what others might we use instead? Thank you so much!
Hey Jess,
Rosemary would be great to use in place of the sage! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
How creative and delicious. As a fellow Apple butter lover, this was perfect for our Christmas Eve dinner. We adapted it for a larger meal. We also made homemade applesauce from local on the side. Thank you so much!
Clarissa Lion
Hey Clarissa,
I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄
Made this for supper, it was amazing! I even got excited and forgot to add the balsamic vinegar and fresh thyme at the end and it was still soooo good!
Hey Julie,
Wonderful!!🎅 I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it and your comment! xT
I made this for dinner last night and it was amazing. After I decided to make it I realized I didn’t have any pork. I made this using chicken breast, otherwise I followed the recipe. It was amazing. I can’t wait to make it again with pork. I will be making this often.
Hey Pat,
Wonderful!!❄️ Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, I am so glad it was a winner:)
Made this for dinner tonight… so so delicious!! Thank you for another great recipe! Creative blend of flavors. Yum!
Hey Collette,
Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xx
If you’re looking for a perfect recipe in fall with all those great fall flavors, this is it! It’s cozy and healthy at the same time, and the flavor on this dish is UNREAL. I made it 2 nights in a row it was that good!
Hey Annalisa,
I am delighted to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a lot for trying it out! xx
Hi! This looks incredible! Could I substitute pork tenderloins for a larger crowd?
Hey Linda,
Sure, pork tenderloins would be great! I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
This was just amazing. I was so happy to use my sage from the garden— it was such a great flavor combo. I made German braised cabbage as a side and it was a perfect Fall meal🍁!
Hi Lucy,
Happy Wednesday!!👻 I truly appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed:)
Another amazing recipe. Having made 50+ HBH recipes I can confidently say, they never disappoint. This was the perfect intro to fall meal this week. Easy to prepare. The apples were a delicious bonus.
Hey Natalie,
Thanks so much for your kind message and making so many recipes:) I am so glad this one was enjoyed as well! xTieghan
So good! I didn’t have fresh sage or thyme but used what I had. It felt fancy, but so easy. Paired it with mashed potatoes and salad. Definitely got 5 stars from me and my husband!
Hi Lynsey,
Fantastic! I truly appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I am so glad it was tasty for you! xT
Fast, easy, and my husband loved it! I’m not a meat eater but enjoy cooking it now because of your recipes. He says he doesn’t like pork chops but asked when I was making this again for him. I made the recipe exact with no substitutions and will do the same again!
Hi Jan!
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it and sharing your feedback! Hope you’re off to a great weekend:)
Could you substitute apple sauce for the apple butter? I have apple sauce I want to use up!
Hi Shannon,
Yes, that will work well for you!! I hope this recipe turns out amazing, let me know if you give it a try! xx
The combination of apple, sage and balsamic was amazing. This will be a regular because I, too, need other than chicken. In the collection it goes!
Hey Julie,
I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for trying it out! Have the best day:) xT
Beautiful and delicious dish! I made it last night and the whole family approved. I didn’t have apple butter (couldn’t find it anywhere) & skipped the step to place the dish into the oven to broil. Lastly I used boneless pork chops and served with a side of roasted baby potatoes! Thanks for the great recipe ☺️
Hi Paula,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Have the best weekend❄️ xTieghan