This NC Pork Chops and Apples recipe is simple to prepare, super delicious and speaks to the heart of what makes NC food so amazing.
When we think of North Carolina seafood, the first thing that comes to mind is shrimp, followed closely by a long list of fish species and shellfish, too long to list here.
But when it comes to North Carolina meat products, pork is king. End of story.
In fact, when we’re talking about pigs and hogs, North Carolina has the 3rd largest population of hogs and pigs in the United States, despite being only the 28th largest state by square miles.
One last fun fact… the Top 5 states listed below account for 70% of all pork production in the US!
Why is pork so popular in North Carolina?
The advantages of pigs over other livestock are numerous.
Grazing areas are not required for them because they convert animal feed into meat.
As a result, raising pigs for consumption is a good investment for small-scale farmers and factory farms alike.
Pigs are also an efficient source of meat because almost every part can be eaten or processed.
So, when it comes to finding great pork and BBQ recipes, it is easy to see why North Carolina has the lion’s share of great ones!
What ingredients are needed to prepare this recipe?
This recipe actually has a short ingredient list, consisting of pork loin chops, apples, apple juice, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. If you prefer, bone-in pork chops work just as well.
Pork: When selecting loin pork chops, I prefer thick, boneless chops. Preferably, between 3/4″ to 1′ in thickness. If this recipe was for fried or skillet pork chops, I would go thinner and bone-in.
Apples: Any green variety will suffice, but I like to use Granny Smith apples. They hold their shape well during cooking and their tart flavor balances the sweetness in meat dishes and dessert recipes. Plus, Granny Smith’s are great to have on hand for additional apple recipes you want to try.
Apple Juice: Not many people add apple juice to their recipe, but I find that 1/2 cup is just enough moisture to keep this dish from drying out. This isn’t a deal breaker if you don’t have it, but it does make this recipe better.
Finally, consider baking a batch of sweet potato biscuits to go with this meal.
Main Ingredients Needed
Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Rosemary
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 4 -6 pork chops
- 4 Granny Smith apples
- 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
- 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 dried rosemary
- Salt
- Pepper
- Rosemary
Directions
- Prepare apples – Peel, core, and thinly sliced
- Preheat the oven to 225 degrees.
- Melt the salted butter in a skillet.
- Lightly season pork with salt, pepper, and rosemary
- Add pork chops to the skillet and brown on both sides in the butter.
- Drain pork chops, remove from the skillet, and set aside.
- Grease a large baking dish.
- Put the apple slices in the bottom of the dish.
- Add apple juice
- Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle the mixture over the apples
- Place the seared pork chops on top of the apples.
- Cover with foil and bake for 1 1/2 hours at 225℉.
The flavors from the sweet baked apples combined with the slow-cooked meat produce juicy pork chops that are sure to please every dinner guest.
FAQ
The type of apple you use can influence the overall taste of the dish. For a more tart flavor, Granny Smith apples are a good choice. For something sweeter, try Gala or Honeycrisp. You can even mix apple varieties for a complex flavor profile.
When shopping for pork chops, look for ones that are pinkish-red in color with some marbling. The marbling is key for a tender, juicy result. Bone-in chops are especially flavorful and help the meat stay juicy.
Yes. However, bone-in pork chops typically yield more flavorful and juicy results because the bone helps retain moisture during the cooking process.
The pork chops are done when they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F when measured with a meat thermometer. They should also be slightly pink in the middle for the juiciest result.
Try serving them with mashed potatoes, a green vegetable like steamed broccoli or roasted Brussels sprouts, or a simple green salad.
This dish is best served fresh from the stove, but you can certainly do some prep work ahead of time. You can cut the apples and store them in a bowl of water with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning, and season the pork chops and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook.
Apples pair wonderfully with pork, but if you’d like to try something different, pears could be a good substitute. Keep in mind that this will change the flavor profile of the dish.
Claudia Faucher is a fitness trainer and lifestyle blogger, who recently started to pursue her other passions… Southern cooking and creating recipes.
