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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.
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
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
- 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!
This post was originally published on September 25, 2018
Just made this tonight and we loved it!!! So much flavor and the apples were just perfect. Definitely going to make this again and share the recipe to my friends and family! Thanks!
Hey Grace,
Wonderful! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a lot for making it. Have the best weekend! xT
Made these last night and my husband said they were better than any restaurant!
Followed the recipe exactly and they were delicious!
Hi Teri,
Thank you so very much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays!??
I made this recipe for my boyfriend & I a few weeks ago. He said it was the best pork chop that he has ever had. I also made a tik-tok as I was making it, and he showed all of his co-workers. I am making it again tonight! Tieghan, I absolutely love every recipe I’ve made of yours. I have already purchased three cookbooks to give out as Christmas presents. Thank you for always providing fun, exciting meals!
Hey Emily,
Awesome! Love to hear that you liked the recipe, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Thanks so much for your kind message! Happy Holidays! xx
I just made these pork chops (along with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans) – my 10 year old son was eating the scraps off the bone and asked me to add the recipe to meal rotation. The only ingredient I did not use was thyme – I figured the apple, butter, and sage would be delicious and was right. Fairly easy to make too!
Hey Jackie,
Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Have the best day! xTieghan
Love these chops!!! I didn’t have apple butter but had some homemade pumpkin butter on hand so used that instead. Also, only had a Gala apple on hand but YUMM! These are by far the best pork chops I’ve ever cooked. Pork chops can easily get dry and lose their flavor but not over cooking them is key!! Watch them carefully under the broiler!
Ah-may-zing. So simple and delicious.
Hi there! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Because I had lots of fresh sage I made this for dinner along side roasted brussels and Delicata squash. My favorite part, the apples. OMG. My oh so picky wife loved it. My bone in chops were very thick so after searing them I roasted them in the oven for about 10 minutes before continuing with the recipe. The combination of flavors was perfect.
Hey Cari,
Thanks a bunch for trying out this recipe, I am delighted to hear that it was enjoyed! Have the best day:) xTieghan
Does it make much of a difference if I use boneless pork chops instead?
Hey Kristel,
Boneless pork chops will work just fine here. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This recipe is incredible! I am not good at cooking pork chops, so I made with pork tenderloin the second time – YUMMM! Thank you!!!!
Hey Heather,
I am so glad that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
We thought this was delicious. I had to modify it since i made it on the fly and was short ingredients. So, I ended up using apple sauce (per your recommendation) mixed with pumpkin pie spice instead of apple butter, and had to use my neighbor’s (questionable) dried sage, and I added a bit of bouquet garni to help it. I forgot to add the butter and thyme at the end, but drizzled balsamic glaze over everything to finish it off. My husband thought the porkies were so good, and so different from what we normally do. This one is a keeper!
Hey Emily,
I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
This was delicious! It was my first pork chop recipe, and it was quite good!!
Hey Lydia,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week:) xTieghan
Found this recipe about a year ago and it has become a favorite for my husband and I. We will make it several times throughout the fall and winter. Already made it twice this fall and cannot wait to make it again.
I am really glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan
Made this last night for dinner. Doubled the recipe for 4. I used dried spices that I had on hand in lieu of fresh. It was delicious! Everyone said this recipe was a keeper! 4 thumbs up!! But honestly, every HBH recipe I’ve tried has been nothing but delicious!
That is so amazing to hear! Thank you so much Joy! xTieghan
I couldn’t track down any apple butter but we didn’t miss it one bit because these chops were INCREDIBLE!
We served them with your garlic mash and roasted greens.
We will definitely be making these again!
Do you think this could work with a pork loin?
Hey Cassidy,
Yes that will work, just be sure to adjust your cooking times accordingly. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan