Baked Apple Butter Pork Chops Recipe Is Steakhouse Quality (8 Ingredients, 25 Minutes) by Donna John

A beautiful jar of Imlandris Farm apple butter had been sitting on my kitchen counter. The apple butter was part of my Fikabröd baking box, and needed to be used in a recipe. With two beautiful, extra-thick pork chops waiting in the fridge for dinner, I decided to utilize the apple butter and make a baked pork chop dinner. The combination of juicy pork, sweet apple butter and spices turned into a dinner for two that made husband and wife happy. The pork chops tasted like something we'd order at a fancy steakhouse.

The ingredient list is pretty straight-forward for this baked pork recipe. Here is your short shopping list: bone-in pork chops (thicker chops work better for this recipe), butter, sea salt, black pepper, ground sage, dried thyme, apple juice or chicken broth, apple butter and optional fresh garlic. The pork chops start in a skillet and finish cooking in the oven.

Apple butter is not actually butter, but a fruit spread similar to jam. Apples and spices are cooked for a long period of time, resulting in an almost caramelized end product. Think concentrated applesauce. The butter is delicious on toast, biscuits or English muffins for breakfast, or used in sweet or savory recipes. Check out these recipes using apple butter.

Serve these juicy high-protein pork chops for dinner with your favorite side dishes. I served mine with a simple garden salad drizzled with homemade ranch dressing. For a complete steakhouse experience, you could add a steakhouse side dish like creamed spinach, balsamic mushrooms or mashed potatoes.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 2 thick bone-in pork chops
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
• 2 tablespoons apple juice or chicken broth
• 2 - 3 tablespoons apple butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)

Here's how to make it: 

1. Take the pork chops out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking, if you have the time. Combine the sea salt, black pepper, dried thyme and ground sage in a small bowl.
   
2. Season the pork chops on both sides with the seasoning.
   
3. Melt the butter in an oven-proof skillet (I used a cast iron skillet). Add the pork chops and cook about 2 to 3 minutes, or until seared and browned.
   
4. Flip the pork chops over (tongs work great for this) and cook another 2 to 3 minutes, or until seared and golden on both sides.
   
5. Pour the apple juice or broth into the pan and add the garlic, if using. Spread the apple butter over the tops of the pork chops. Bake in a preheated 400-degree F oven until the pork chops reach 145 degrees F internal temperature on a food thermometer, about 15 minutes. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your pork chops. Mine were extra-thick pork chops and cooked in 15 minutes. Thinner chops will cook more quickly. I used my husband's MEATER food thermometer, which I inserted into the meat while it cooked.
   
6. Let the pork chops rest a few minutes before serving. This recipe could easily be doubled.
   

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