Maple Apple Pork Chops

This Maple Apple Pork Chops recipe combines some of falls best flavors into one delicious dinner recipe. Simple pan-seared pork chops are smothered with apples in a creamy maple brandy sauce that is absolutely to die for!

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Of all the different types of meats out there, I would say that pork is the one that I would get least excited about. I would rarely ever order it when eating out, but I’ve since completely changed my feelings.

When done right, pork is anything but boring.

I have mentioned a time or two that I love the combination of meat and fruit. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and savory that makes dinner almost feel like a treat.

I’ve made pork recipes with fruit including Marinated Cuban Pork Tenderloin that uses both limes and oranges, Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Chutney, Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa, and Pork with Plum Sauce.

Growing up my mom always served pork chops with applesauce. This recipe for Maple Apple Pork Chops is a creamy, warm, and comforting take on that same concept. A perfect fall dinner recipe.

Why This Recipe Works

This is an easy-to-make one-pan recipe. Who doesn’t love less dishes to do?!

While the pork chops themselves are pretty basic, the sauce is where it’s at! It’s a sweet and savory cream-based sauce made with heavy whipping cream, maple syrup, brandy (or you can use apple juice), and mustard powder.

It’s loaded with chunks of apples and shallot for a unique, incredibly tasty combination of flavors! It really makes the dish! One Pinterest reviewer has even said this is a restaurant-quality meal!

It’s almost unbelievable that you can make this entire recipe in under 30 minutes!

How to Make Maple Apple Pork Chops

What You Need To Make This Recipe

To make this recipe, you will need:

• 1 pound pork chops
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour (you can use gluten gluten free, if needed)
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 shallot (minced, about 1/4 cup)
• 2 firm, sweet apples (fugi, gala or red delicious are great choices)
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1/3 cup brandy (or apple juice if you’d rather not use alcohol)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon mustard powder

Tip: I have also made this recipe a couple of times with bourbon and have had just as great results.

The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

You can dice the apples and shallot before you begin, or do it while the pork chops are cooking. I would recommend having all of the ingredients out and ready to go before beginning.

Create!

Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel, season with salt and pepper, and then dredge each one in the flour until lightly coated.

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the pork chops and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side (you may need longer for thicker, boneless cuts). The internal temperature should reach 145°F.

I like to use a cast iron skillet for recipes like this. It distributes heat more evenly which means your food will cook more evenly too. Because pork is so lean, getting a good sear on each pork chop is important. This helps to seal in the juices and keep them from drying out.

Once the pork is seared and cooked through, remove to a plate and tent with aluminum foil.

Lower the heat to medium and melt the butter in the hot pan. Add the shallot and diced apples and cook for another minute or two.

Drizzle on the maple syrup, then slowly pour in the brandy or apple juice. Deglaze the pan, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom for a minute or so.

Be careful when using brandy! The brandy may flame as the alcohol cooks off. This has never happened to me when making this recipe, but better safe than sorry!

Tip: I strongly recommend using real maple syrup for the best results.

Stir in the heavy cream and mustard powder. Raise the heat back up to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce becomes hot and bubble and thickens, about 5 minutes.

Add the pork chops back to the skillet and cook a minute or two, or until warmed through.

Present!

Garnish with minced parsley, if desired.

Serve the pork chops topped with the apples and maple-brandy sauce.

This Maple Apple Pork Chops recipe is especially good on top of mashed potatoes or with a side of vegetables.

Tips and Techniques

• If you don’t have brandy on hand, or would rather not use alcohol, you can use apple juice as a substitute. I’ve even made this recipe with bourbon when I’ve found myself without brandy. It works just as good!
• Use real maple syrup for the best results.
• Use a gluten free all purpose flour to dredge the pork in to make this recipe gluten free.
• Store leftover pork chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days.

FAQ’s

Can You Freeze Maple Apple Pork Chops?

Freezing is not a recommended method of storage for this recipe. The cream may separate and the texture changes after being thawed and reheated.

What Do You Serve With Pork Chops?

Pork chops pair well with so many different types of side dishes. Here are a few side dishes for pork chops that you may want to consider:

• Apples – apple sauce, fried, or sauteed cinnamon apples are all great choices to pair with fairly basic pork chops.
• Other Fruits – try serving your pork chops with a side of Sweet Fried Plantains, Cranberry Chutney, or even a fruit salsa.
• Starches – mashed potatoes, rice, quinoa, and other grains work well alongside pork chops, especially when served with a vegetable.
• Vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, carrots, and Brussels sprouts (especially this Bacon Cranberry Brussels Sprouts with Apples recipe) all pair wonderfully with different types of pork chops recipes.

More Pork Recipes

Here are more pork recipes that you might like:

• Chipotle Pork Chops
• Asian Pork Salad with Quinoa
• Pork Carnitas Slow Cooker Recipe
• Brown Sugar and Honey Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
• Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Apple Chutney
• Easy Asian Pork Tacos with Pineapple Slaw
• Barbecue Pulled Pork Bites
• Pork Chops with Plum Sauce

More Apple Recipes

And, here are some more apple recipes to try:

• Roasted Apple Arugula Salad
• Slow Cooker Apple Butter
• Apple Cranberry Walnut Stuffing Recipe
• Apple Pie Overnight Oats
• Sweet Potatoes and Apples with Cinnamon & Maple
• Bacon Cranberry Brussels Sprouts with Apples
• Butternut Squash Apple Flatbread

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This recipe was originally published on November 15, 2018. It was updated with an improved recipe, new images, tips, techniques, and FAQ’s in July 2020.