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Best Easy Apple Cider Pork Chops – Budget Friendly Dinner

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These Kid-Approved Apple Cider Pork Chops are a budget-friendly weeknight dinner that turns a cheap cut of meat into something tender and delicious. A quick sear followed by a gentle braise in apple cider creates a glossy, sweet and savory sauce that even picky eaters love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 pork chops (bone-in or boneless, about 1-inch thick)
  • Salt and black pepper (to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion (thinly sliced)
  • 1 ½ cups apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
  • ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried)
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Take pork chops out of fridge 15 minutes before cooking. Pat very dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and let it shimmer. Carefully lay pork chops in pan (work in batches if needed). Sear undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until deep golden brown. Flip and sear other side for 2-3 minutes. Transfer chops to a plate and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add sliced onion to pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes until soft and translucent. Scrape up any browned bits from bottom of pan.
  4. Pour in apple cider and chicken broth. Add Dijon mustard and fresh thyme sprigs. Stir to combine. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil.
  5. Once boiling, reduce heat to low. Nestle pork chops back into skillet along with any accumulated juices. Cover and simmer gently for 10-12 minutes until pork is cooked through (internal temperature 145°F).
  6. Transfer cooked pork chops to a clean plate and tent loosely with foil. Turn heat under skillet to medium-high. Stir in apple cider vinegar. Let sauce simmer uncovered for 5-7 minutes until reduced and slightly thickened.
  7. Remove skillet from heat. Fish out thyme sprigs. Swirl in butter until melted and sauce is glossy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper if needed.
  8. Return pork chops to skillet to coat in sauce, or spoon sauce over them on a serving platter. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pat pork chops very dry for a good sear. Don’t skip the apple cider vinegar at the end—it brightens the sauce. If sauce isn’t thickening, let it boil longer. For thicker chops (1.5-2 inches), increase braising time to 15-18 minutes. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider pork chops, easy pork chop recipe, budget-friendly dinner, kid-approved, weeknight dinner, braised pork chops, fall dinner

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/best-easy-apple-cider-pork-chops-budget-friendly-dinner/