Dinner can be quick, healthy, and delicious all at the same time with these 30-minute apple cider pork chops! They are perfect for a busy weeknight meal, but they taste so elegant that it feels like Sunday dinner. The apple cider mustard sauce also pairs well with other types of proteins, so you could easily make a larger batch and serve it with two different types of meat two nights in a row. How’s that for a time saver?
The Apple Cider Mustard Sauce
The sauce is the key to this 30-minute apple cider pork chops! It has such an elegant yet earthy taste, and I believe that it comes from fresh ingredients and herbs.
Step 1: Chop and Mix Ingredients
Start by chopping up 1/3 cup of shallots and a tablespoon or two of sage. In a small bowl, whisk together a cup of chicken stock, 1/2 cup of apple cider, and 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar. Then add in 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons of maple syrup, and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch. Whisk all of this together so that it is well-integrated.
Step 2: Sauté Shallots and Sage
In a large sauté pan, sauté the shallot and sage in 2 teaspoons of olive oil over medium heat. Cook it for about 2 minutes. It should be very fragrant.
Step 3: Cook the Sauce
Then, pour in your apple cider mixture and bring it all to a boil. Once it has boiled, reduce the heat to low and add in 1/2 cup of golden raisins. These are WAY better than regular raisins in my opinion. Not only do they add color, but they bring a sweetness to balance the tang from the mustard and vinegar.
Whisk the sauce for about 2 minutes, and you will notice it starts to thicken. At this point, stir in 1 tablespoon of butter, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, and a dash of Kosher salt. Simply pour it all into a bowl and set it aside until the apple cider pork chops are done cooking.
I originally got the sauce recipe for these 30-minute apple cider pork chops from a Cooking Light magazine. They suggest using it on top of turkey or salmon, but I had a feeling it would taste great on pork because pork and apples go so well together. I’m kind of toying with the idea of having this as an additional sauce to my 3-step Tuscan-style roasted turkey on Thanksgiving. Both recipes use sage and mustard, so I think they will complement each other well.
Making the 30-Minute Apple Cider Pork Chops
Creating these flavorful apple cider pork chops is both simple and efficient. With just a few steps, you’ll have a meal that’s ready in no time and bursting with taste.
Step 1: Heat Olive Oil
Using the same large sauté pan from the apple cider sauce, pour in 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat it over medium to high heat.
Step 2: Cook Pork Chops
Once it is sizzling, add in about 6 pork chops. Try to keep all the bottom parts of the pork chops touching the pan so that they cook evenly. Grill the apple cider pork chops for about 3 minutes on each side. Make sure they are nice and brown before you flip them over. If your pork chops are on the thicker side, make sure to cook them until a meat thermometer reads 145 degrees.
Step 3: Add Sauce
Once cooked, turn the heat to low and add the apple cider sauce. Let it warm through for a few minutes, spooning some on top of the pork chops.
A Perfect Weeknight Meal
How’s that for a 30-minute meal that looks like it took way longer? I served our 30-minute apple cider pork chops with a side of steamed broccoli and a traditional fluffy yeast roll spread with apple butter. Are you seeing my apple theme yet?
Not only is this spectacular for dinner on a busy weeknight, but it makes for yummy meal prep, too. My husband had these in his lunches a few days in a row, and I heard no complaints! It’s always nice to know that food can be healthy and delicious at the same time!
If you need some other 30-minute meal ideas or Crockpot cooking recipes, check out my recipe index or my Pinterest Boards. Both are loaded with great ideas that will get you out of your cooking rut. Happy cooking, y’all!
