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Meat, Classics and bistro fare

Pork chops with caramelized apples and mashed potatoes

Pork chops with caramelized apples and mashed potatoes is a family dinner for 4, ready in 45 minutes, rated easy, for about €2.80 per serving. The key is deglazing the pan with cider so the meaty drippings coat the caramelized apples, paired with smooth mashed potatoes made with butter and warm milk.

Pan seared pork chops deglazed right in the pan, with caramelized apples for a touch of sweetness and smooth mashed potatoes on the side.

Pork chops with caramelized apples and mashed potatoes
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.80
Calories per person
600 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Pork chops browned in a skillet, apple wedges caramelizing in that same butter, and simple mashed potatoes ready to soak up every bit of sweet and savory juice. Cider deglazes the pan and pulls up all the browned bits, creating a short sauce that coats the meat without drowning it. It's a fall and winter dish, with that sweet savory combination kids and adults both go for.

This is a solid weeknight recipe, easy to time since everything cooks in the same pan right after the chops. Mon Chou suggests it for nights when you want something a little different without extra work, using simple ingredients you probably already have in the fridge. It also works for a relaxed Sunday dinner, served straight from the skillet at the table.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Pork chops 4

Fruits and vegetables

  • Apples 3
  • Potatoes 1 kg
  • Thyme 3 sprigs

Dairy

  • Butter 90 g
  • Milk 15 cl

Pantry

  • Cider 10 cl
  • Sugaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Sunflower oiloften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Peel the potatoes and boil them in salted water for the mashed potatoes. 20 min

    Slide a knife tip into a potato, it should go in without resistance.

  2. Brown the pork chops in the oil with the thyme, 5 minutes on each side, then set aside. 10 min

    Don't pierce them with a fork.

  3. In the same pan, melt the butter with the sugar, add the apple wedges and let them caramelize. 8 min

    Stir often so the caramel coats the apples evenly.

  4. Deglaze with the cider and return the pork chops to the pan so they soak up the flavor. 3 min

    Let it reduce until the cider turns syrupy and coats the apples.

  5. Mash the potatoes with the remaining butter and warm milk, and serve with the pork chops.

    Spoon a little of the apple juices over the mashed potatoes, it's the best sauce you could ask for.

Our tips to get it right

  • Take the pork chops out of the fridge 15 minutes before cooking, they'll cook more evenly and stay juicier.
  • Pick firm apples like Braeburn or Honeycrisp, they hold their shape during caramelizing instead of turning mushy.
  • Save a bit of the resting juice from the chops before setting them aside, it deepens the flavor of the cider sauce.

The variations

  • Swap the cider for apple juice for an alcohol free version, the sweetness will be more pronounced.
  • For a faster version, use instant mashed potato flakes while the meat and apples cook.
  • Cut the apples into smaller pieces and slice the pork before serving for kids, it makes eating easier.

What to serve it with

  • A green salad with a sharp vinaigrette
  • A glass of dry cider
  • Steamed green beans

Storage

The pork chops and apples keep for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. The mashed potatoes also keep for 2 days but lose some creaminess, stir in a little warm milk when reheating. This dish doesn't freeze well, the mashed potatoes and apples change texture once thawed.

Questions about this dish

Can you make this dish ahead of time?

You can cook the pork chops and caramelize the apples up to 1 hour ahead, then gently reheat them in the pan before serving. The mashed potatoes are best made right before serving, since they lose their creaminess as they cool.

Which apples work best?

Firm apples like Braeburn, Honeycrisp, or Gala caramelize well without falling apart. Avoid juicier apples like Granny Smith, which release too much water in the pan.

Can you use a different cut of pork?

Pork cutlets or tenderloin medallions work too, just adjust the cooking time to their thickness. Thinner cuts will need slightly less time in the pan.

How do you know when the pork chops are done?

The meat should feel firm but still a little springy, with no pink juices running out. Avoid piercing it with a fork while cooking so it stays juicy.

How long does it take to make pork chops with caramelized apples and homemade mashed potatoes?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in pork chops with caramelized apples and homemade mashed potatoes?

About 600 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does pork chops with caramelized apples and homemade mashed potatoes cost?

About €2.80 per serving, or €11.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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