Fall has arrived, and with it comes cooler air, cozy sweaters, and comforting seasonal flavors. I look forward to crisp mornings, steamy cups of tea, colorful leaves, and — most of all — the foods that define the season. Autumn brings pumpkins and winter squash, warming soups, and juicy, crisp apples from local orchards.
While apple pies and sauces are classics, apples also shine in savory dishes. A dish that combines savory pork with lightly sweet, caramelized apples is the perfect way to celebrate fall produce.
Enter: Pork Chops with Apples and Gouda.
In this recipe, onions and apples are gently caramelized, then simmered in vegetable stock with a hint of cinnamon to form a savory, slightly sweet gravy. Tender pork chops are finished with creamy Gouda and served over peppery arugula so every bite is balanced — savory, sweet, creamy, and fresh.
This meal is straightforward to prepare and comes together quickly, making it an ideal weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend supper. It’s a simple dish with big, comforting flavor that suits any time of year, though the apples make it especially fitting for fall.
Serve the pork chops on a bed of arugula and spoon the apple-onion gravy over the top. The melted Gouda adds a rich, creamy layer that complements the lightly spiced apples. This dish pleases both simple and adventurous palates and is likely to disappear quickly at the table.
Pork Chops with Apples and Gouda
Description
Pork chops with apples and Gouda is a comforting fall entrée that balances savory and sweet flavors with simple preparation.
Details
- Author: Emily Koch
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Entree
- Cuisine: Pork
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil or butter
- 4 pork chops
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, divided
- 1 onion, sliced
- 4 cooking apples (such as Cortland, Gala, or Granny Smith), cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup vegetable stock
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon vegetable stock
- 4 slices Gouda cheese
- Arugula, washed and dried, for serving
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. In a small dish combine 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Pat the pork chops dry and rub one side of each with half of the salt-and-pepper mixture.
- Melt the coconut oil or butter in the skillet. Place the pork chops seasoned-side down, sprinkle the remaining seasoning on the top side, and cook 3–4 minutes per side until nicely browned. Remove the pork to a clean plate, cover with foil, and set aside.
- Add the sliced onions to the skillet with a pinch of salt and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the apples, cinnamon, and additional salt and pepper to taste. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until the apples soften and begin to caramelize.
- Pour in the vegetable stock and bring to a simmer. Return the pork chops to the skillet, partially submerging them in the liquid, and simmer 8–10 minutes, until cooked through. Remove the pork to the plate, cover with foil, and set aside.
- Taste the cooking liquid and adjust seasoning. Stir in the cornstarch-and-stock mixture and simmer about 3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Return the pork chops to the skillet and top each with a slice of Gouda. Cover and simmer 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Arrange arugula on serving plates, place pork chops on top, and spoon the apple and gravy mixture over everything. Serve immediately.
Enjoy a cozy, flavorful meal that highlights seasonal apples alongside tender pork and rich Gouda. This recipe is easy to scale and adapts well to your preferred apples and greens.