Apple Butter Pork Chops are the perfect one-pan recipe for fall and winter! These skillet pork chops with apples are so juicy and flavorful when cooked in the apple butter. And as a bonus, there’s only one skillet to clean!
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What’s in This Apple Butter Pork Chops Recipe?
Nothing goes together quite like pork chops and apples. Something about the sweetness of the apples mixed with the pork really works. A lot of people eat pork chops with applesauce, so let’s take it up a notch. Cook the pork chops in apple butter, and add a side of apple slices– that is the ultimate way to eat pork chops with apples.
- Pork Chops: We used boneless center-cut pork chop filets. If using bone-in, they may take longer to cook.
- Apple Butter: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade apple butter.
- Apples: We used Granny Smiths for their balanced flavor.
- Sugar: A little bit of brown sugar enhances the sweet flavor of the apples.
- Chili Powder: We like ancho chili powder for its slightly smoky flavor, but regular chili powder also works.
- Cream: Heavy cream helps thicken up the sauce.
Variations on Pork Chops with Apples
We love Granny Smith apples because they keep this recipe from turning out too sweet, but Gala, Fuji, Braeburn, Honey Crisp, or Jonagold are all great choices that will hold their shape once cooked. And if you can’t get your hands on any apple butter, try using applesauce instead!
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How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover apple butter pork chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, or until warmed through.
How to Freeze
Freeze apple butter pork chops in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
These pork chops are great served with rice, egg noodles, or our favorite easy mashed potatoes. The sauce is so rich and flavorful, so a simple side is best! For a little more savory flavor, try green beans with bacon!
Notes from the Test Kitchen
This one-pan skillet pork chops with apples recipe is so simple! All you need are some pork chops, a jar of apple butter, a couple of apples, butter, brown sugar, chili powder (a little kick of spice), butter, and heavy cream. And your cast iron skillet, but that’s the only dish here!
5-Star Review
“Made this tonight. It was delicious! So flavorful. Easy to make. Minimal ingredients.” -Lori P.
Apple Butter Pork Chops Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless center-cut pork chop filets (about 2 filets)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 2 apples cored and sliced (no need to peel)
- 7½ ounces apple butter (½ jar) – use more if desired
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder or chili powder
- ⅓ cup heavy cream room temperature
Instructions
- Season both sides of each pork chop with salt and pepper.1 pound boneless center-cut pork chop filets, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the pork chops and cook each side for 3 minutes. Place pork on a plate and allow to rest while you cook the apples.3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Using the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the apple slices and allow to cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Pour in the apple butter (you can use a bit more if you want, but it does get pretty sweet), brown sugar, and chili powder. Stir to combine. Add in the cream and continue to stir. Bring to a light boil.7½ ounces apple butter, 2 apples, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder, ⅓ cup heavy cream
- Add the pork chops, pushing aside the apples to make sure the bottoms of each pork chop are touching the skillet. Spoon a tablespoon of apple butter onto each side of each pork chop as you cook.
- Cook each pork chop for about 4 more minutes or each side, adding a tablespoon of apple butter to each side as you cook. Cook until pork is cooked through to your liking.
- Serve hot with the apple mixture spooned over the pork.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- For a dairy-free option, use vegan butter and coconut cream in place of the heavy cream.
- Use room temperature heavy cream to prevent curdling.
- Properly cooked pork chops should be 145°F internally.
Nutrition Information
How to Make Apple Butter Pork Chops Step by Step
Season the Pork: Season both sides 1 pound of center-cut pork chops with salt and pepper.
Sear the Pork: Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the pork chops and cook each side for 3 minutes. Place pork on a plate and allow to rest while you cook the apples.
Make the Sauce: Using the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter. Add 2 cored and sliced apples and allow to cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Pour in 7½ ounces (½ jar) of apple butter (you can use a bit more if you want, but it does get pretty sweet), 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of ancho chili powder. Stir to combine. Add in ⅓ cup of room-temperature heavy cream and continue to stir. Bring to a light boil.
Simmer the Pork: Add the pork chops, pushing aside the apples to make sure the bottoms of each pork chop are touching the skillet. Spoon a tablespoon of apple butter onto each side of each pork chop as you cook. Cook each pork chop for about 4 more minutes or each side, adding a tablespoon of apple butter to each side as you cook. Cook until pork is cooked through to your liking. Serve hot with the apple mixture spooned over the pork.
More Pork Chop Recipes To Try
1g of protein, me thinks your calculations are off :)
You’re so right! I fixed it :)
I have made this several times for my family. Always a big hit. Thanks!
Awesome!
Can we use coconut milk or Almond milk instead of cream? non-dairy people would love to try this.
Yes that should work great! Hope you love it :)
I thought this was a a delicious dish. I made one change by adding a little red wine to the apples after cooking to deglaze the pan before I added the apple butter mixture. When I make this the next time I will not use 29 oz of apple butter: It was way too much for 2 pork chops.
What kind of apples did you use?
I really liked this. The only feedback I got was that the pork was overcooked. I’m not sure if it’s because my pork wasn’t as thick as the pork used when the recipe was made or something else. Will use the meat thermometer next time so make sure I don’t overcook them again
To clean the pan easily place empty pan in the sink, add hot water and a dryer sheet allowing it to soak.
The stuck on sauce should soften and come off.
This look so delicious. My kids would love this.
Thanks for your sharing the great recipe.
Made this amazing dinner tonight. May attempt to add an extra pinch of chili powder on the next fixin’. Also used a spiced apple butter instead of regular. Made this paired with cubed, fried potatoes with season salt, black pepper and garlic powder.
May attempt it again with mashed potatoes with rosemary and green onion.
Thanks for the great recipe!!
Sounds like a good recipe once I got back the 200 pictures with the extra long back story for each of them.
Hello! I am in the process of making this right now and my sauce does not look caramelized like your pictures – I was wondering if you had any idea why!
Thanks!