Apple Butter Glazed Pork Chops

Name: Apple Butter Glazed Pork Chops with Butternut Squash
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 10 min
Yield: 3 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 bone-in pork chops, about ¾" thick; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 2 cloves garlic, crushed; 2 tbsp roughly chopped shallot; 2 sprigs fresh thyme; 2 honeycrisp apples, peeled, cut into ½" cubes; 4 cups butternut squash, cut into ½" cubes; ⅓ cup chicken broth; 6 tbsp apple butter; 4 cups lightly packed arugula; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 2 tsp olive oil; 2 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Bone-in pork chops are seared and finished with a slow-cooked apple butter glaze that caramelizes into a deep golden crust, served alongside roasted butternut squash and a bright lemon arugula salad to balance the sweet and savory flavors.

🌍American 🏷️Apple butter 🏷️Pork chops 🏷️Fall 🏷️Harvest 🏷️Butternut squash

🏷️Arugula

Total

3h 10m

Servings

3

Difficulty

Hard

Est. Cost

$28–$46

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Recette Magazine

Ingredients

3 bone-in pork chops, about ¾" thick
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tbsp roughly chopped shallot
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 honeycrisp apples, peeled, cut into ½" cubes
4 cups butternut squash, cut into ½" cubes
⅓ cup chicken broth
6 tbsp apple butter
4 cups lightly packed arugula
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp olive oil
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp vegetable oil

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Instructions

1
Pat pork chops dry and season generously with 2 tsp kosher salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Vacuum seal chops with 2 tbsp butter, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp shallot, and 2 sprigs thyme. Place vacuum-sealed pork in a Suvie pan, and cover with water. Place pan into the bottom zone of Suvie.
2
Add 2 honeycrisp apples and 4 cups butternut squash to a Suvie pan. Pour ⅓ cup chicken broth into the pan and place pan in top zone of Suvie. Input settings and cook now or schedule.
3
Set Suvie Cook Settings: Bottom Zone: Sous Vide at 140°F for 1 hour 30 minutes, Top Zone: Steam for 1 hour
4
Once the pork chops have finished cooking, remove vacuum bag from your Suvie and pat dry thoroughly. Heat a cast iron pan over medium high heat for 5 minutes. Add 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the pan. Remove pork chops from vacuum bag and spread 1 tbsp apple butter on both sides of the pork chops. Place pork chops in the pan and sear until browned, about 60 seconds. Flip and cook the other side for 60 seconds.
5
While the pork chops are resting, use a potato masher or fork to mash apple and butternut squash mixture until combined and slightly chunky.
6
In a large bowl, gently toss 4 cups arugula with 1 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tsp olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7
To serve, divide mash, arugula salad, and pork chops between plates.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Pat pork chops dry before searing—moisture prevents proper browning and caramelization. Dry surface = better crust.
Apply apple butter glaze in the last 2–3 minutes of cooking so the sugars caramelize without burning. Low heat and constant basting prevent charring.
Roast butternut squash at the same temperature as the pork chops to time them together; stir halfway through for even browning.
Toss arugula with lemon juice and salt just before serving to keep leaves tender and avoid wilting from excess acid sitting time.

Substitutions

Honeycrisp apples → Granny Smith or Pink Lady (tart varieties maintain texture when roasted)
Bone-in pork chops → boneless pork chops (reduce sear time by 2–3 minutes per side)
Butternut squash → sweet potato or acorn squash (similar roasting time and sweetness)
Chicken broth → vegetable or apple cider (apple cider deepens fall flavors)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled pork chops and squash in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to avoid drying. Prepare arugula salad fresh; dress just before eating.

Common Questions

How do you know when pork chops are done cooking?

Pork is safely cooked at 145°F internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part without touching bone. The meat should still be slightly pink inside.

Can you make apple butter at home or do you need store-bought?

Store-bought apple butter works best for this recipe's timing and consistency. Homemade apple butter requires 6–8 hours of slow cooking, which isn't practical for a weeknight dinner.

What type of apples work best for this dish?

Honeycrisp apples are called for because they hold their shape when cubed and roasted. Granny Smith or Pink Lady are good alternatives for similar texture and tart-sweet balance.

Can you cook this without a bone-in pork chop?

Yes, boneless pork chops work but reduce cooking time by 2–3 minutes per side. Bone-in chops stay juicier and brown more evenly due to the bone's heat distribution.

How far ahead can you prep this recipe?

Peel and cube apples and butternut squash up to 4 hours ahead; store separately in airtight containers. Sear pork chops and assemble the dish fresh for best texture and glaze caramelization.