Savor the perfect blend of sweet apples and savory rosemary with these tender pork chops! Easy to make and packed with flavor for any dinner.
Looking for a dinner idea that feels gourmet but is surprisingly simple to make? These Apple Rosemary Pork Chops are the perfect blend of savory and sweet, marrying the natural sweetness of apples with the earthy aroma of fresh rosemary.
With minimal prep and a handful of everyday ingredients, this dish is as friendly on your schedule as it is on your taste buds. Whether you’re aiming for a comforting family meal or an impressive dinner for guests, these stuffed pork chops deliver on flavor and versatility. For another twist on pork chops, check out The Best Molasses Bourbon Pork Chops.
We are sharing tips to help you get the best results when making this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and printable recipe card.
⭐ Why You’ll Love Rosemary Apple Recipe ⭐
A Perfect Blend of Sweet and Savory
Easy and Quick Recipe
Simple Yet Versatile Ingredients
Feel like mixing it up further? Discover how apples can transform another dish with Pork Tenderloin with Applesauce for some creative inspiration.
🧾 Ingredients
📌 Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with quantities and step-by-step instructions!
- Olive oil cooking spray
- Small yellow onion
- Garlic cloves
- Kale leaves
- Large apple
- Ground cinnamon
- Lemon zest
- Fresh rosemary leaves
- Sea salt and black pepper
- Thick-cut bone-in pork chops
🔪 How to Make Apple Rosemary Pork Chops
Move your oven rack to the center and set the oven to preheat at 375°F.
Coat a large, oven-safe skillet or sauté pan with cooking spray and heat it over medium-high. Toss in the diced onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until the onion turns soft and smells amazing—about 4-5 minutes.
Turn the heat down to medium and give the pan another light spray of cooking spray. Add the kale, apple, cinnamon, lemon zest, and fresh rosemary. Stir now and then, cooking until the apple softens and the kale just starts to wilt—this should take around 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle in some salt and black pepper to taste, mix it all together, then take the skillet off the heat. Move the apple mixture to a medium bowl and set it aside for now.
Grab a sharp knife and carefully cut a pocket into the center of each pork chop. Be sure not to slice all the way through! Spoon the apple-rosemary mixture evenly into the four pork chops. Use toothpicks to close the openings and keep the filling in place.
Put the skillet back on the stove over medium-high heat and add another quick spray of cooking spray. Sear the pork chops on both sides until they’re golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Feel free to sprinkle on a little extra salt and pepper, if that’s your thing.
Slide the skillet into the preheated oven and roast the pork chops until they’re fully cooked—this should take about 15-20 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when a meat thermometer stuck in the center reads 145°F.
Let the pork chops rest for 3-5 minutes before serving them up. Pair them with Garlic and Chive Cauliflower Mash or your favorite side for a delicious meal. Dig in and enjoy!
⭐ Tips and Tricks for the Best Apple Rosemary Pork Chops ⭐
Cooking Times and Temperatures
Use a Meat Thermometer: Always rely on an instant-read thermometer. Pork is safely cooked at 145°F, but remember to pull the chops off the heat at around 140°F. Resting will allow them to rise those final degrees without drying out.
Thickness Matters: A 1-inch thick pork chop usually requires about 4-5 minutes per side over medium-high heat when pan-searing, followed by a brief rest. Thicker cuts benefit from a quick sear and finish in the oven.
Why is resting so important? It allows the juices to redistribute, creating that tender bite every time.
For more pork cooking ideas that nail flavor, check out these Ranch Pork Chops.
How to Prevent Overcooking Apple Rosemary Pork Chops
Ever feel like your pork chops are losing the battle with your stove? Overcooking can happen faster than you think.
Opt for Bone-In Chops: Bone-in pork chops retain moisture better than boneless cuts, acting like a natural insulation.
Cook in Stages: Start with a hot pan to get that golden sear, then transfer the chops to a lower-heat oven to gently bring them to the right internal temperature.
Mind the Residual Heat: Remember, food continues to cook after you take it off the stove or out of the oven. Let your pork “coast” to the ideal doneness by removing it a little earlier than you’d think.
Try these Instant Pot Boneless Pork Chops for a no-fuss way to keep them tender.
For another quick and flavorful pork recipe, check out this Skinny Smothered Pork Chops option to diversify your menu.
📖 Variations of Apple Rosemary Porkchops
Adding Different Herbs or Spices
One of the easiest ways to switch up the flavor is by experimenting with herbs and spices. While rosemary is the go-to herb in this dish, you have a world of options to explore.
- Swap Rosemary for Thyme or Sage: These herbs bring an equally earthy note but with slightly different profiles. Thyme has a subtler, woodsy flavor, while sage offers a slightly peppery, warming taste.
- Add Some Heat: Love a little spice? Sprinkle in some chili flakes or cayenne pepper for a hint of heat that pairs surprisingly well with the sweetness of apples.
- Go Bold with Spice Blends: A dash of Cajun seasoning or smoky paprika can transform the dish entirely. Remember to adjust amounts gradually so the seasoning doesn’t overwhelm the pork chops.
For more tips on enhancing your dishes with unique herbs and spices, check out this quick guide in the Roasted Garlic Dip Recipe.
Sweet & Savory Apple Rosemary Pork Chops
Ingredients
- Olive oil cooking spray
- 1 small yellow onion diced small
- 2-3 fresh garlic cloves finely minced
- 2 cups kale leaves stems removed, finely chopped
- 1 large apple diced small
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 2 Tbsp fresh rosemary leaves finely minced
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 1" thick-cut bone-in pork chops
Directions
- Place top oven rack in center position and pre-heat oven to 375°F.
- Spray cooking spray into a large, ovenproof skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and fragrant, around 4-5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium and add another spray of the cooking spray Add the kale, apple, cinnamon, lemon zest, and fresh rosemary to skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apple is soft and the kale is just wilted, approximately 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and stir to combine. Remove from heat and transfer apple mixture to a medium-sized bowl and set aside.
- With a sharp knife, carefully make a slit through the center of each pork chop to form a pocket. Do not cut all the way through. Divide the apple-rosemary filling between the 4 pork chops and secure the openings with toothpicks to hold the stuffing inside.
- Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add more cooking spray. Sear the pork chops on both sides until golden brown, around 3-4 minutes per side. Season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired.
- Transfer the skillet with the pork chops to the pre-heated oven and roast until the pork chops are cooked through, around 15-20 minutes or until an instant read thermometer inserted in the center reads 145°F.
- Allow pork chops to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving with Garlic and Chive Cauliflower Mash or your favorite side dish. Enjoy!
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