Description
How to make tender apple cider pork with creamy sweet potato mash that brings cozy fall flavors together in one perfect comfort meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Apple Cider Pork
- 4 bone-in pork chops, 1-inch thick
- 2 cups apple cider
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prep Potatoes: Peel and cube sweet potatoes, then boil in salted water for 15-18 minutes until fork-tender. Drain well and let steam dry for fluffy results.
- Season Pork: Pat pork chops completely dry and season generously with salt, pepper, thyme, and sage. Let rest 10 minutes for flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Sear Chops: Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork chops 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Build Sauce: Add onions to same skillet, cook 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic, cook 30 seconds, then stir in cider, vinegar, and brown sugar.
- Simmer Together: Return pork to skillet, reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 15-20 minutes until sauce reduces by half and pork reaches 145°F internal temperature.
- Mash Potatoes: Mash drained sweet potatoes with butter, cream, maple syrup, and cinnamon until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt as needed.
- Serve Warm: Plate mashed sweet potatoes, top with pork chops and spoonfuls of the reduced apple cider sauce. Serve immediately while everything is steaming hot.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet when searing pork or it will steam instead of browning properly.
- Apple cider sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead and reheated gently before serving.
- Swap bone-in chops for boneless if preferred, but reduce cooking time by 5 minutes.
- Mashed sweet potatoes reheat beautifully in the microwave with a splash of cream.
- For extra flavor, add a diced apple to the onions when building the sauce.
- Leftover sauce is incredible drizzled over roasted vegetables or grilled chicken.
Allergy Information: Dairy
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 35g