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Why I Love to Make These Pork Chops
The combination of pork and apples is the first meal that comes to mind during the fall. The pairing is traditional and is sometimes replaced with applesauce.
Pork is a simple, savory meat, and apples complement it with a subtle, sweet note. Fruit has the amazing ability to provide sweetness to a meal without making it seem like a dessert. The apples gain an almost savory quality, especially when mixed with cabbage.
To make this a one-skillet meal, the chops are brined first to ensure a well-seasoned and juicy meat. Once brined, they’re browned but not fully cooked. Onions and cabbage are cooked, pulling up any drippings left from the pork. Lastly, apples are added. The pork is placed on top of the cabbage and apples, and everything is finished in the oven, braising the cabbage and apples while finishing the pork perfectly.
Why Pair Apples with Pork?
There are a lot of theories as to why these two are always paired together. One is that, in ancient times, the acidity of apples helped to digest meat such as pork. Another is that farmers used to let pigs clean up the orchards of any fallen apples, thus associating the two.
The one I think is most true is that in the fall, when apples are usually ripe, farmers often begin butchering their meat, and eventually put the two together.
Apples are a great fruit to cook with, but picking firm, crisp apples is important so that they hold up during the cooking time. Adding the savory, slightly sweet allspice lifts the cabbage and brings the apples and cabbage into a perfect combination.
Not sure which type of apple to use? Make sure to check out my guide for the best cooking apples.
Do Bone-In Pork Chops Have to Be Used?
No, you can use boneless pork chops as well. Boneless will cook slightly quicker, so be sure to watch closely. Leaving the bone on the pork chops helps retain moisture during the cooking time and gives slightly more flavor to the meat.
Does Allspice Work Well with Cabbage?
Allspice usually seems like it’s reserved for apple pies and crisps. The spice is made from ground dry berries of Pimenta dioica trees and is related to cloves. The spice works surprisingly well in the marinade for the pork chops and in the cabbage and apples component of this dish. The slight hint of the warming spice marries together the various flavors and ingredients. When eating, you cannot place the fact that allspice is used, but you enjoy the warm spice flavor imparted in each bite.
Follow These Tips
Serving
Serve hot, straight from the skillet, with a side of mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the juices.
Storage
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. Freeze cooled portions for up to 2 months.
More Recipes Like This
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- Roasted pork tenderloin with apples and squash
- Grilled cabbage salad
- Spiced pork tenderloin with roasted vegetables
- Spiced pork and nectarine summer salad
- Skillet cabbage and sausage
- How to make sauerkraut
- Unstuffed cabbage roll skillet
Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
I hope you make this recipe and put some food on your table. Leave a comment and share a star rating so you can let others know how much you love this recipe. This helps show others that this is a recipe they, too, can make, enjoy, and love!
Pork Chops with Cabbage & Apples
Ingredients
For the pork chops
- 4 6-oz bone-in pork chops
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- ¾ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp allspice
- ¾ tsp freshly ground black pepper
For the cabbage and apples
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 lb cabbage sliced
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 large apples (such as Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Jonagold) cored and sliced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, allspice, and black pepper. Mix together. Sprinkle on all sides of pork chops, using all the spice mixture. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours.1 tbsp kosher salt, ¾ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp allspice, ¾ tsp freshly ground black pepper, 4 6-oz bone-in pork chops
- Once the pork chops have brined, remove them from the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Over medium heat, add 1 tbsp neutral oil in a 12-inch oven-safe skillet. Brown the pork chops on both sides, 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet add the sliced onions and salt to the remaining oil and pork drippings. Sauté until softened and slightly brown, 4-5 minutes. Deglaze the pan by adding the apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, allspice, and pepper. Add the sliced cabbage and cook until beginning softened and slightly reduce in volume, 4-5 minutes. Add the apples. Stir and add the pork chops on top.1 medium onion, 1 tsp kosher salt, 2 lb cabbage, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp allspice, 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 2 large apples (such as Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Jonagold)
- Roast in the oven until the pork chops reach 155°F. Remove the skillet from the oven and allow the pork chops to rest for 10 minutes to finish cooking and reach a temperature of 160°F.
- Slice off the bone or leave whole and serve with the cabbage and apples.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
I made this last night. Shared with family members. Everyone loved it. Thanks!
I made the pork chops with cabbage and apples recipe. It was so good! great flavor! my husband and my dad loved it too! thank you for sharing that!!!!
Made the pork chops with apples and cabbage for dinner today and it was wonderful! The flavors reminded my husband and I of when we lived in Germany….it is a keeper!!
Absolutely delicious great on this cold rainy day. I did cut back a smidge on the salt. Bless you and your cooking skills,!!!
Oh. My. Gumby. So delicious! I watched the video and knew I had to make it. I love trying new recipes, especially using healthy and seasonal ingredients! Love it!
I made this tonight What a great Fall dish My husband loved it Definitely a winner
Wow, my house smells wonderful! Loved this dish! Thank you Caleb
I don’t have a meat thermometer. Approximately how long does it take for the pork chops to reach 155-160 degrees? Thanks. Can’t wait to make the pork chops with cabbage and apples. Love watching your videos.
Mine took just 15 minutes, pork chops are an inch thick.
I found the time for the pork chops in the oven to be the same as well around 15 minutes.
Ummmmmm…. Yesssssss! This recipe was so delicious! My 4 children LOVED it and my husband said it was one of the best pork chop meals he has ever had! I am a vegetarian, so I made some roasted garlic mashed potatoes and ate the cabbage/apple mix with it and it was perfection, so I can only imagine how good the pork was based on everyone’s reaction! This will be in rotation in my kitchen for sure! Thank you!
Another excellent video, and delicious Autumnal recipe! I truly enjoy your wonderful recipes and enthusiasm. Your demos are well planned, excellent organization, and the presentation is always attractive!
I watch you on Facebook every chance I’m able. Much appreciation for inviting us into your kitchen, and garden. You inspire me to get back into the kitchen and try new dishes. You are delightful, truly a real treasure, and no doubt, you make your Mom so very proud sharing family recipes! Thank you Kaleb! Congratulations👏👏👏👏👏🥰
I am giving this a 5 star, although I have not cooked it yet. I love love love your recipes and how you use basic ingredients to make wonderful meals. I made your apple butter and will be making the kale squash salad today. This recipe here will be on the menu after I get the pork chops. I watch the Food Network all the time, and rarely actually make any of the meals as there are way to many ingredients, I am super basic. So I appreciate how you do your thing! Thanks bunches, you are a gem 💎.