Pork in Plum Sauce

Pork in Plum sauce is a simple recipe that pairs pork chops or tenderloin in a sweet and savory plum sauce made with just 6 ingredients. You can have this sweet and tangy pork recipe on the table for dinner in just 25 minutes!

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Pork is always a great option for busy weeknights. It’s just so versatile, and most cuts cook pretty quickly.

We tend to get caught up in preparing pork the same way which can get boring really quickly. This recipe for Pork in Plum Sauce is an easy way to change things up.

Many, many years ago I ripped a page out of a magazine that had a recipe on it for pork chops with plum sauce. I was going to be staying with my grandparents for a few days and thought I would cook dinner for them. The only problem was that I had pretty much never cooked before and so that recipe never got made. Then, it got lost.

After all of these years, that recipe for pork chops with plum sauce had been dancing around in the back of my mind, so I finally got around to figuring out how to make a plum sauce for pork.

Why This Recipe Works

The best part of just about any recipe, next to the taste, is when it’s super quick and easy. This recipe is just that. When made with thin-cut boneless pork chops, it can be ready in right around 25 minutes. Larger cuts of pork will take longer, but overall, it’s still pretty quick.

If you make this recipe with pork chops, it can all be prepared with just one pan.

The plum sauce is a delicious combination of sweet and savory. It’s almost like a warm chutney, but this recipe doesn’t use wine or vinegar. It compliments the simply prepared pork perfectly.

It’s a great recipe for families as well – the kids will love it!

You can serve this plum sauce over pork chops, tenderloin, or even a roast. I tend to use pork chops because they cook faster, making this yet another recipe that is great for busy weeknights.

How to Make Pork in Plum Sauce

Ingredients Needed To Make This Recipe

For the pork, you will need:

• 8 thin-sliced, boneless pork chops (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

To make the Plum Sauce, you will need:

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 shallot (diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 5 plums (sliced thin)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger

Pro Tip: use firm plums for a tangier sauce or ripe plums for a sweeter sauce.

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!

Dice the shallot, mince the garlic, and thinly slice the plums.

Create!

Season the pork chops with salt and pepper.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook until browned on one side, about 2-3 minutes, then flip and cook an additional 2 minutes or until the pork is cooked through. Remove to a plate and tent with aluminum foil.

Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil along with the shallot and garlic. Cook 2-3 minutes or until the shallot is softened.

Add the plums, honey, balsamic vinegar, and ginger. Cook 6-7 minutes, until the plums are nice and soft.

Present!

Tuck the pork chops back into the skillet and cover with the plums.

Alternatively, you can pour half (or all) of the plum mixture into a blender and process until smooth, then mix it back into the skillet with the pork chops.

Plate the pork and top with the plum sauce.

Tips and Techniques

• Use firmer plums for a tangier sauce. For a sweeter sauce, use ripe plums.
• You can puree half (or all) of the plum mixture, then mix it back into the pan to make it “saucier,” if preferred.
• If you make this recipe with a pork tenderloin, you will need to roast it in the oven at 425°F for 30-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F when checked with a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the tenderloin.
• Store leftover pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days.

More Pork Chops Recipes

Here are some more easy pork dinner recipes to try:

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This recipe was originally published on October 10, 2017. It was updated with an improved recipe, new images, tips and techniques in June 2020.