By Becky Hardin
Updated Sep 1, 2025
Apple Butter Pork Chops are the perfect one-pan recipe for fall and winter. I can’t get over how these skillet pork chops turn out so juicy and flavorful when cooked in something as simple as apple butter. And as a bonus, I love that there’s only one skillet to clean!
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5-Star Review
“Made this tonight. It was delicious! So flavorful, easy to make, minimal ingredients.” -Lori
Easy Apple Butter Pork Chops Recipe
I find nothing goes together quite like pork chops and apples, don’t you think? There’s just something about the sweetness of the apples mixed with the savory pork that I find irresistibly good.
A lot of people eat pork chops with applesauce, but I’ve taken it up a notch and cooked the pork chops in apple butter, and added a side of apple slices. Now that I’ve prepared pork chops this way, I find it is the ultimate way to eat them. Many thanks to Gimme Some Oven for the inspiration to create this recipe.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 lb. boneless center-cut pork chop filets (about 2 filets)
- ▢ kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ▢ 3 tbsp unsalted butter divided
- ▢ 2 apples cored and sliced (no need to peel), I like Granny Smith, but Gala, Fuji, Braeburn, Honey Crisp, or Jonagold all work
- ▢ 7½ oz. apple butter (½ jar) – use more if desired, applesauce also works
- ▢ 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ▢ 1 tsp ancho chili powder or chili powder
- ▢ ⅓ cup heavy cream room temperature
Video
Instructions
- Season both sides of each pork chop with salt and pepper. 1 lb. boneless center-cut pork chop filets, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Melt 2 tbsp butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the pork chops and cook each side for 3 minutes. Place pork chops on a plate and allow them to rest while you cook the apples. 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- Using the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tbsp of butter. Add the apple slices and allow to cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Pour in the apple butter (you can use a bit more if you want, but it does get pretty sweet), brown sugar, and chili powder. Stir to combine. Add in the cream and continue to stir. Bring to a light boil. 7½ oz. apple butter, 2 apples, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp ancho chili powder, ⅓ cup heavy cream
- Add the pork chops, pushing aside the apples to make sure the bottoms of each pork chop are touching the skillet. Spoon a tbsp of apple butter onto each side of each pork chop as you cook.
- Cook each pork chop for about 4 more minutes on each side. Cook until pork is cooked through to your liking. Properly cooked pork chops should be 145°F internally.
- Serve hot with the apple mixture spooned over the pork.
Becky’s Tips
- For a dairy-free option , use vegan butter and coconut cream in place of the heavy cream.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Apple Butter Pork Chops Step by Step
Season the pork: Sprinkle both of the center-cut pork chops with salt and pepper.
Sear the pork: In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp of the unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and cook on each side for about 3 minutes. Place the seared porkchops on a plate and allow them to rest while you cook the apples.
Make the sauce: Using the same skillet in which you cooked the pork, melt the remaining 1 tbsp of unsalted butter. Add 2 cored and sliced apples, cook until soft and tender, which should be about 5 minutes. Pour in 7½ oz. (½ jar) of apple butter, you can add a touch more if you want, but it does get pretty sweet, 2 tbsp of brown sugar, and 1 tsp of ancho chili powder, stirring to combine. Pour in ⅓ cup of room-temperature heavy cream and continue to stir, bringing the mixture to a light boil.
Simmer the pork: Return the pork chops to the pan, pushing aside the apples to ensure each pork chop is touching the skillet. Spoon a tbsp of apple butter onto both sides of the pork chops as they cook. Cook for about 4 more minutes on each side until browned and cooked through to your liking. Note, cooked pork chops should be 145°F internally.
Serve: Serve the pork chops hot with the apple mixture spooned over.
How to Store
Store leftover apple butter pork chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, or until warmed through.
Freeze apple butter pork chops in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
These pork chops are great served with rice, egg noodles, or my favorite easy mashed potatoes . The sauce is so rich and flavorful, so a simple side is best! For a little more savory flavor, I like to add green beans with bacon or lemon Parmesan roasted broccoli .
more pork chop recipes to try
Parmesan Pork Chops with Creamy Parmesan Garlic Sauce
Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon (Pan Fried Pork Chops)
Grilled Pork Chops Recipe
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Apple Butter Pork Chops Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. boneless center-cut pork chop filets (about 2 filets)
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter divided
- 2 apples cored and sliced (no need to peel), I like Granny Smith, but Gala, Fuji, Braeburn, Honey Crisp, or Jonagold all work
- 7½ oz. apple butter (½ jar) - use more if desired, applesauce also works
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp ancho chili powder or chili powder
- ⅓ cup heavy cream room temperature
Instructions
- Season both sides of each pork chop with salt and pepper. 1 lb. boneless center-cut pork chop filets, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Melt 2 tbsp butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the pork chops and cook each side for 3 minutes. Place pork chops on a plate and allow them to rest while you cook the apples. 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- Using the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tbsp of butter. Add the apple slices and allow to cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Pour in the apple butter (you can use a bit more if you want, but it does get pretty sweet), brown sugar, and chili powder. Stir to combine. Add in the cream and continue to stir. Bring to a light boil. 7½ oz. apple butter, 2 apples, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp ancho chili powder, ⅓ cup heavy cream
- Add the pork chops, pushing aside the apples to make sure the bottoms of each pork chop are touching the skillet. Spoon a tbsp of apple butter onto each side of each pork chop as you cook.
- Cook each pork chop for about 4 more minutes on each side. Cook until pork is cooked through to your liking. Properly cooked pork chops should be 145°F internally.
- Serve hot with the apple mixture spooned over the pork.
Video
Notes
- For a dairy-free option , use vegan butter and coconut cream in place of the heavy cream.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
