Honey Mustard & Apple Pork Chops
A simple and easy pork chop recipe that is full of flavor! These Honey Mustard Pork Chops are tender, juicy, and seasoned to perfection. Made with honey, Dijon Mustard, and sautéed apples, these pork chops are amazingly delicious!
Filling Meals for the Fall
Rich sauces and glazes are two of my go-to choices in the Fall and Winter months. They are hearty and can be thrown together in no time! I love adding in seasonal ingredients as well during this time. They are freshly harvested and make my recipes taste even better.
My Honey Mustard & Apples Pork Chops are a sure-fire win for this season! They are moist and tender and basted in a rich sauce. To make it even more delicious I sauteed some apples to go with it! Pork and apples are a perfect combination no matter the time of year; and, this recipe did not disappoint!
Pork Cooking 101
Now I know that some people do not eat pork for various reasons (i.e. religious, health, etc.). Of course, everyone can choose to eat what they want. My biggest issue with pork is that a lot of the time, it is overcooked.
Pork can get dry and tough very fast. I always suggest marinating or bringing leaner cuts of pork. It adds some extra moisture to the pork creating an even better final product. I suggest doing the same thing with pork chops.
If you enjoy eating pork, here are just a few additional tips that will instantly improve the way that you cook pork:
Lightly coat the pork in some form of neutral oil before cooking to ensure moistness.
If marinating, make some additional marinade to make a sauce for the pork. This will help keep the pork moist as well. But, never use the marinade that the pork was submerged in.
Try tenderizing the chops! This will help to break down some of the tough muscle fibers ensuring that the final product is tender. All you need is a metal hammer or rolling pin with some plastic wrap.
Always know what cut of pork you are working with! Each cut of pork works better with a certain type of cooking method. For example, pork chops are better for searing and grilling; and, a Pork Butt is better for braising and smoking.
Honey Mustard & Apple Pork Chop Ingredients:
The ingredients are pretty simple in this recipe; but, let’s still walk through them. I kept most of the ingredients simple for easy access and fast cooking. They are all very easy to use and find in your local grocery stores.
Pork Chops: I suggest getting thick-cut bone-in pork chops. They retain a lot more moisture than boneless pork chops. Plus, for presentation purposes, they are beautiful. However, you can easily use boneless pork chops. Just make sure to not overcook the chops.
Cooking Oil: Use neutral cooking oil for drizzling and searing the chops. I suggest using one of the following oils: vegetable, canola, or grapeseed. You only need a small amount for the beginning of the recipe.
Seasoning: To season the pork chops, I kept the seasoning simple. Kosher salt and ground black pepper are all you really need. I added some paprika for color and smokiness as well. Since the chops are being cooked in a sauce, you do not need to overly season the chops.
Red Apples: Pork and apples are always an amazing combo for the fall! You want to choose a mild, sweet, and firm apple. I decided to use Gala apples for their mix of sweetness and tartness. Plus, they hold up very well when cooked.
Yellow Onion & Garlic: You can’t have a recipe without a few sliced onions and garlic! They add so much flavor to this dish without overpowering the sauce. The onions get a little caramelized after sauteing which makes the sauce even better! I used about 1 medium yellow onion and 1 tablespoon of fresh minced garlic.
Apple Cider Vinegar: To cut some of the sweetness of the sauce and apples, I decided to add about ½ cup of apple cider vinegar. It complements the apples in the recipe and has a hint of sweetness.
Liquid Smoke: To add some additional warmth to the recipe, I added some liquid smoke to the recipe. It gives the recipe this smoked applewood effect that is delicious! Grilling the pork chops instead of searing them would make this even better! The liquid is totally optional though.
Coarse Ground Dijon Mustard: I have come to love the tangy and sharp flavor of Dijon Mustard. I decided to use coarse ground mustard to add some texture to the sauce. Plus, when mixed with honey and apple cider vinegar, you get this balance of tanginess, sweetness, and acidity. I couldn’t get enough of this sauce.
Honey: You can’t have honey mustard without honey. I used ¾ of a cup of clover honey to make the sauce. But, any mild honey will work for this recipe.
Cayenne Pepper: I always like a dash of spice in my recipes, but not too much where it’s unbearable. I used ⅛ teaspoon of cayenne pepper in the sauce. Trust me, that’s all you need. Too much of this stuff will overpower the sauce and your tastebuds.
Fresh Parsley: For some color and contrast, I added some fresh minced parsley to the sauce and as a garnish. It’s not necessary, taste-wise, but it makes a prettier final product.
How to make Honey Mustard & Apple Pork Chops
The one thing that I love most about this recipe is how easy it is to make! After a quick and simple sear of the pork chops, the sauce is thrown together in no time. The warmth of this recipe mixed with the sweetness and tanginess of the sauce is amazing!
This recipe is a perfect one-pan meal and will have you drooling! The full written recipe is below, but here’s an overview.
STEP 1: Trim & Season the Pork Chops. Trim any excess fat from the pork chops, if necessary. Drizzle the pork chops with a small amount of vegetable oil and massage the oil into them. Season the pork chops with kosher salt, ground pepper, and paprika.
STEP 2: Sear the Pork Chops. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 2 tbsp of cooking oil. When heated, sear the pork chops just until lightly browned on each side (about 1 - 2 minutes per side). Do not overcook the pork chops. Remove them from the skillet and allow them to rest on a ½ sheet pan lined with a wire rack.
STEP 3: Saute the Apples, Onions, and Garlic. Drain the oil from the skillet and add another tablespoon or so of cooking oil. Add the apples and sliced onions. and sauté over medium heat until the apples and onions are ¾ of the way cooked (about 6 - 8 minutes). Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
STEP 4: Make the Honey Mustard Sauce. Add the apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke, coarse ground Dijon Mustard, honey, cayenne pepper, and ½ of the minced parsley. Mix until combined and allow the sauce to come to a simmer. Season to taste with kosher salt and ground black pepper.
STEP 5: Baste the Pork Chops in the Sauce & Serve. Add the pork chops back into the pan and baste them in the sauce until they reach 145°F. The chops should be moist and tender. Garnish with remaining parsley and serve with your favorite sides. Enjoy!
What to Serve with Honey Mustard Pork Chops:
With this being such a warm and hearty recipe, you want to pair it with some hearty side dishes. Here a just a few of my favorite side dishes that I recommend:
Sauteed Kale Greens
Southern Collard Greens
I’d love to hear your feedback about this EASY Honey Mustard & Apple Pork Chop Recipe. Leave me a message in the comments section below. Remember to share and enjoy! Follow Be Greedy Eats on Pinterest and Instagram as well!
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