Apples and pork go together and here is the easiest way to match them up. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions.
It is still fall and football season, and I bought too many apples. But this can be a year-round family meal. I only got to use two apples plus the one I ate while cooking. So three.
I love sheet pan meals. I think it is because I'm too laze to think of side dishes. They are usually quick and easy. Add in delicious, and they have me hooked.
My Rating:
A solid 4. I miss the gravy I normally have with indoor cooked pork chops. And it was a bit dry without a brine.
Pro Tips: Notes on Sheet Pan Apple Pork Chops
Let's Talk Pork Chops
Real pork chops are all cooked about the same. So as long as you using any of the center 3 in the diagram, you should be fine.
Your pork chops may be bone-in or boneless and for this recipe try to use 3/4 to 1 inch thick.
Today's pork is much leaner than in previous years and does tend to dry out during cooking and if you have time, brine.
How to brine pork chops: A brine is used to add moisture to meat like pork. A standard pork brine is 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of table salt. If using a different salt, you should adjust accordingly. Also, you may add other things like sugar (usually equal to the salt) or other herbs.
Let’s Talk Apples
A lot seems to be made of what apple to use for this or that. I believe it is more a matter of individual taste. I suggest Cortland, Granny Smith, Ida Red, or Honey Crisp. I had Cortland.
But probably the apples you have is fine other than Red Delicious or Macintosh. Here is a handy-dandy chart that is very well done.
And Lastly the Potatoes
You want to use a thin skin potato in this recipe. So not russet potatoes. Usually red potatoes or Yukon gold would be good choices. They need to be cut small, no more than 1 inch at any point to help speed cooking time.
Other Inside Pork Chop Recipes
Easy Crock Pot Pork Chops with Gravy
Other Sheet Pan Recipes
One Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes and Carrots
Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Sheet Pan Chicken Breasts with Carrots and Potatoes
Preheat oven to 400 degrees convection or 425 degrees conventional.
3/4 to 1-inch thick pork chops. If there is a large rim of fat, then cut that down to 1/4 inch and cut through every 1 inch to prevent cupping. The pork chops may be boneless or bone-in.
Clean 3/4 pound small potatoes and cut into pieces no more than 1-inch size. Rinse 1 cup baby carrots (about 1/2 pound). In a large bowl mix the potatoes and carrots with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt, 2-3 cloves crushed garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
Prep a smaller sheet pan with a heavy coat of PAM.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small bowl in the microwave (about 20 sec). Coat both sides of pork chops with melted butter and then a sprinkle of kosher salt and pepper.
Peel and cut up 2 medium apples of your choice. Cut each apple into 1/8 wedges then cut those in half to make cube-like shapes.
Add 2 tablespoons brown sugar and remainder of the butter. Stir until evenly coated.
Add the carrots and potatoes around the edge of the sheet pan. Spread the apples over the middle of the sheet pan.
Top with the pork chops. Bake for 25-30 minutes. You want an internal temperature of 145-155 on the pork chops (your choice) and soft potatoes and carrots.
You may want to use the broiler for a few minutes to add more browning if you want.
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Sheet Pan Apple Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 2 pork chops
- 3/4 pound red potatoes
- 1/2 pound baby carrots
- 2 medium apples
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2-3 cloves garlic - crushed or minced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees convection or 425 degrees conventional.
- Use two 3/4 to 1 inch thick pork chops. If there is a large rim of fat, then cut that down to 1/4 inch and cut through every 1 inch to prevent cupping. The pork chops may be boneless or bone-in.
- Clean 3/4 pound small potatoes and cut into pieces no more than 1 inch size. Rinse 1 cup baby carrots (about 1/2 pound).
- In a large bowl mix the potatoes and carrots with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt, 2-3 cloves crushed garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
- Prep a smaller sheet pan with a heavy coat of PAM.
- Add the carrots and potatoes around the edge of the sheet pan.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small bowl in the microwave (about 20 sec).
- Coat both sides of pork chops with melted butter and then a sprinkle of kosher salt and pepper.
- Peel and cut up 2 medium apples of your choice. Cut each apple into 1/8 wedges then cut those in half to make cube like shapes. Add 2 tablespoons brown sugar and remainder of the butter. Stir until evenly coated.
- Spread the apples over the middle of the sheet pan. Top with the pork chops.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. You want an internal temperature of 145-155 on the pork chops (your choice) and soft potatoes and carrots.
- You may want to use the broiler for a few minutes to add more browning if you want.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips:
- The pork chops should be 3/4 to 1 inch thick. Either bone-in or boneless is fine.
- The apples can be of your choice, but I suggest Gala, Cortland or Granny Smith.
- The potatoes should be a thin skin type so red potatoes or Yukon Gold would be good choices. Not russet.
- The dish is done when the pork chops are about 150, and the potatoes are fork tender (195+).
- You can add a few minutes under the broiler if needed to add browning.
- Pork chops tend to dry so a brine of 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of table salt for an hour would be good if you have time. Add a tablespoon of sugar to it also. Rinse well when done and do not add more salt.
Nutrition
Originally Published November 4, 2018
Susan Hamilton
Sounds lovely, but 700+ calories seems high.
Kris
I made this tonight per your recipe. It was very good and the apples were a nice touch but the temperature and/or timing were off. I think it'd be better to start the potatoes, carrots and apples for 15-20 minutes before putting the pork chops on. Raising the oven temperature to 425° would hasten the cooking too. I must have spent an hour trying to get the vegetables soft at 400°. I took the pork chops out for 20 minutes for fear they would be too well done for that length of time. I think next time I'll start the vegetables at 425° for 10-15 minutes first then add the chops for 15-20 minutes. I did use the broiler to try to brown the chops but I think something else needs to be added to them to brown them. Thanks so much for the recipe, we did enjoy it.
Judy
This looks great. If I were to make 4 pork chops would the cooking time stay the same? How long would I brine? Not too familiar with brining. Thanks
DrDan
Hi Judy,
Cooking time is the same. If you brine then 1 hour. You can look at the how to grill a pork chop post that covers brine more. https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/grilled-pork-chops/
Also, I put to pork on top to brown some but you could top with the apples instead but no browning then.
Dan