Maple Glazed Pork Chops with Apples and Onions
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September 30, 2019
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Delicious gluten free pan fried pork chops glazed with a maple sauce, and loaded with fresh apples and fried onions. The pork chops turn out moist and tender and the whole family will love them.
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Image by: Thora Toft Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Makes: 4 servings Difficulty: Medium
• Gluten free • Dairy free option • Egg free • Grain free • Soy free • -
Use all organic ingredients. Ensure any dried spices are labeled certified gluten free, and any packaged items, such as stock, are labeled gluten free.
This recipe is made with meat stock (broth). If you have homemade pork stock, that would be the best. If you don't have any of that, you can use Homemade Beef Stock or Homemade Chicken Stock. The meat stock balances the sweetness of the apples and maple syrup. As a last resort, you can use apple cider (not vinegar), apple juice or water; though be aware that this will turn out quite sweet.
If you have leftover bacon grease, this will provide the best flavor to this dish when frying the onions for the sauce, and for frying the pork chops. If you don't have any, the next best thing to use is Homemade Lard. If you don't have that, then you can use butter or coconut oil.
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• 4 tablespoons Bacon fat, Homemade Lard, butter or coconut oil • 1 medium Onion, cut into wedges • 1 clove Garlic, minced or finely chopped • 2 Apples, peeled and cut into wedges • 2 tablespoons Dark maple syrup • 2 tablespoons Pork stock, Homemade Beef Stock, Homemade Chicken Stock, apple cider, apple juice or water • 1 teaspoon Ground sage • 1 teaspoon Dried thyme • 1/2 teaspoon Sea salt, plus more for seasoning pork chops • 1/2 teaspoon Fresh ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning pork chops • 4 Pork chops -
Substitutions and Notes:
- Dairy Free: Instead of butter, use bacon fat, Homemade Lard, pork fat, or coconut oil to fry the onions and the pork chops.
- Bacon Fat: You can also use some of the fat from the pork chops, if your cut includes it. Even a small piece will be enough to fry the pork chops, as you won't actually need 2 tablespoons if there's fat on the pork chops to use. You will need more fat for frying the onions, so if you can't get 2 tablespoons of melted fat from the pork chop trimmings, then add more other fat, as needed.
- Fresh Thyme and Sage: If using fresh thyme and sage, use 1 tablespoon each, finely chopped.
- Stock: You can use any type of homemade stock you have, such as pork stock, Homemade Beef Stock or Homemade Chicken Stock. You could also use apple cider (not vinegar), apple juice or water. Pork stock will provide the best flavor. Using a meat stock that is not sweet will balance out the sweetness from the syrup and apples.
- Maple Syrup: You can also use honey instead of the maple syrup. It will have a milder flavor, but will still turn out delicious.
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- Cut up the onions, garlic and apples.
- Melt 2 tablespoons bacon fat in a frying pan over medium heat. When bubbling, add the garlic and onions, and fry about 10 minutes, until the onions are starting to get soft.
- Add the apples and fry about 5 more minutes.
- Add the maple syrup, stock, sage, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cook and stir to blend and coat onions and apples in the sauce.
- While preparing the onion mixture, you can start preparing and cooking the pork chops. Sprinkle the pork chops with salt and black pepper, on both sides. Melt 2 tablespoons bacon fat in a frying pan over high or medium-high heat. When bubbling, add pork chops. Fry for about 5 minutes, until richly golden colored. Then flip and fry more. The total amount of frying time will depend on how thick your pork chops are. Below is a cooking time chart that you can use as a guide. After pork chops are done, remove from heat and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes.
- When the onion mixture is ready, and the pork chops have finished resting, add the pork chops to the onion mixture, and stir to coat the pork chops.
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Frying Times for Pork Chops:
The amount of total time needed to fry pork chops will depend on if it's bone-in, or boneless, and how thick it is. The internal temperature of fully cooked pork chops should be 145 degrees F. You can use a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part to confirm the temperature.
Bone-in pork chops:- 3/4 inch - 8 to 10 minutes
- 1 inch - 12 to 14 minutes
- 1 1/4 inch - 16 to 18 minutes
- 1 1/2 inch - 18 to 22 minutes
Boneless pork chops- 3/4 inch - 6 to 8 minutes
- 1 inch - 8 to 10 minutes
- 1 1/4 inch - 12 to 14 minutes
- 1 1/2 inch - 14 to 18 minutes
Serve with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies, for a delicious and nutritious dinner.
Enjoy!
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