Seared Thyme and Cider Pork Chops
Thick bone-in chops browned hard in a cast iron pan, then slow cooked over apple and onion with cider. The pan sauce goes back in at the end.
Seared Thyme and Cider Pork Chops
Course: Main CourseDifficulty: Easy4
servings20
minutes4
hours30
minutesThick bone-in chops browned hard in a cast iron pan, then slow cooked over apple and onion with cider. The pan sauce goes back in at the end.
Ingredients
4 bone-in pork chops, 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 large sweet onion, sliced
1 tart apple, cored and cut in wedges
3 garlic cloves, smashed
4 sprigs fresh thyme
3/4 cup unsweetened apple cider
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp cornstarch, mixed with 2 tbsp cold water
Directions
- Take the chops out of the refrigerator 20 minutes before cooking. Pat them completely dry and season both sides with the salt and pepper.
- Heat the oil and butter in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until the butter foam settles.
- Sear the chops 2 to 3 minutes per side without moving them, until a deep brown crust forms. Work in two batches if the pan is crowded.
- Stand the chops on their fat edges for 30 seconds each so the fat renders and browns.
- Put the onion, apple wedges, garlic and half the thyme in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Lay the seared chops on top in one layer. Do not stack them, because stacked chops cook at different rates.
- Pour the cider into the hot skillet and scrape up the browned bits for 1 minute, then whisk in the mustard and vinegar.
- Pour the pan sauce around the chops, cover and cook on LOW 4 to 5 hours, until the thickest part reads 145°F.
- Lift the chops onto a plate and rest them for 5 minutes. Stir the slurry into the pot, add the remaining thyme and cook on HIGH, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
- Spoon the apple and onion sauce over the chops and serve at once.
Notes
- If the chops are 1 1/2 inches thick, check at 5 hours. Swap the apple for a pear if that is what you have. The sauce is sharp from the mustard and vinegar, so add a teaspoon of honey if your family likes it sweeter. Keep leftovers 3 days, reheated covered at low heat.
Why sear first in cast iron
A hard sear gives the chops a deep crust that a slow cooker cannot build on its own. Standing them on the fat edge renders the strip of fat, so the pot is not greasy.
The cider and mustard pan sauce carries the browned bits back into the pot, which is where most of the flavor comes from.
Thyme and Cider Pork Chops: swaps and one no
A pear can replace the apple, and a splash of chicken stock can stand in for part of the cider. Skip sweetened apple juice. It makes the sauce candy-like and hides the mustard.
Dried thyme works at about a third of the fresh amount.
What to serve
Buttery mashed potatoes or roasted root vegetables fit well. A bitter green like arugula balances the sweet onion. Spoon extra sauce over everything, since there is plenty.
A mistake to watch for
Stacking the chops or skipping the pat-dry. Wet meat steams instead of browning, and stacked chops cook unevenly. Dry them well with paper towels and keep them in one layer. If the sauce tastes sharp, a teaspoon of honey rounds it out.
Seared Thyme and Cider Pork Chops at a glance
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cooking time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
- Ingredients: 13, led by bone-in pork chops, kosher salt, black pepper, olive oil
Tips for Seared Thyme and Cider Pork Chops
If the chops are 1 1/2 inches thick, check at 5 hours. Swap the apple for a pear if that is what you have. The sauce is sharp from the mustard and vinegar, so add a teaspoon of honey if your family likes it sweeter. Keep leftovers 3 days, reheated covered at low heat.
Seared Thyme and Cider Pork Chops FAQ
How long does Seared Thyme and Cider Pork Chops take?
Seared Thyme and Cider Pork Chops takes 4 hours 30 minutes of cooking after 20 minutes of prep.
How many people does Seared Thyme and Cider Pork Chops serve?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What do I need to make Seared Thyme and Cider Pork Chops?
13 ingredients, led by bone-in pork chops, kosher salt, black pepper, olive oil. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
Part of: 6 Crockpot Pork Chops Recipes That Stay Juicy
