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brown butter sage pork chops - featured image

Brown Butter Sage Pork Chops with Caramelized Apples

  • Author: Rebecca
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A simple yet elegant 5-ingredient weeknight dinner featuring juicy pork chops seared in nutty brown butter, served with caramelized apples and crispy sage leaves.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 pork chops (bone-in or boneless, about 1-inch thick)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
  • Black pepper (generous amount)
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil (avocado or vegetable)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 12–15 fresh sage leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 large apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), sliced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, sliced thinly
  • ¼ cup apple cider
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep ingredients: Slice apples into half-moons, slice onion thinly, and mince garlic. Pat pork chops dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Sear pork chops: Heat neutral oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chops for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove to a plate and set aside.
  3. Brown butter: Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Watch closely until it turns deep golden amber and smells nutty (about 3-4 minutes).
  4. Crisp sage and aromatics: Add sage leaves to the hot butter and cook for 30-60 seconds until crisp. Remove sage and set aside. Add onions to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  5. Caramelize apples: Add sliced apples to the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and caramelized.
  6. Finish sauce: Pour in apple cider and maple syrup. Scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly reduced.
  7. Combine and serve: Return pork chops to the pan, nestling them into the apples. Spoon sauce over chops and heat through for 1-2 minutes. Plate and top with crispy sage leaves.

Notes

Pat pork chops dry before searing to ensure a good crust. Watch brown butter closely as it can burn quickly. Use firm apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji to prevent mushiness. Pork is safe to eat at 145°F (63°C).

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 pork chop with app
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 15
  • Sodium: 650
  • Fat: 28
  • Saturated Fat: 12
  • Carbohydrates: 22
  • Fiber: 3
  • Protein: 35

Keywords: brown butter, sage pork chops, caramelized apples, weeknight dinner, easy recipe, 5-ingredient dinner, pork chop recipe, fall dinner

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Find it online: https://smartdinnerecipes.com/brown-butter-sage-pork-chops-5-ingredient-easy-dinner/