[disclaim]This post was sponsored by SheSpeaks and Smithfield at Walmart, however all opinions and thoughts expressed are my own. [/disclaim]
My husband has always loved pork chops, but I’ve never been a huge fan. That is until he came up with an amazing recipe for Apple Cider Pork Chops that makes them moist, juicy and tender. It all starts with apple cider vinegar and some nice Smithfield All Natural pork chops.
He started brining our pork chops in an apple cider vinegar mix a few years ago, and then he would grill them. Every time it softens them up to be so tender and moist. You can cut them with a fork.
This is one of our easy weeknight meal. I’m able to grab all the ingredients at Walmart while the kids are at school. Then, after I pick them all up, I can make the brine and have it doing it’s magic in the fridge for about 2 hours. Then, the chops are ready to go for grilling time as soon as he gets home from work.
Table of Contents
Apple Cider Pork Chops
- Total Time: 2 hours 17 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Brining your pork chops will turn them into moist and tender deliciousness.
Ingredients
- 8 pork chops
- 2 cups dark brown sugar
- 1 1/4 cups salt
- 2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
- 2 tablespoons mustard powder
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar, heated to just boiling
- 4 cups of ice cubes
Instructions
- Heat the apple cider vinegar until it’s just reached boiling.
- While it’s heating combine the sugar, salt, peppercorns, and mustard powder in a large bowl.
- Pour in the apple cider vinegar and mix until the sugar has dissolved.
- If you have time, let it sit for 5-10 minutes as the flavor will develop.
- Next, add the ice and mix it up a bit to help the ice to melt.
- Then, add the pork chops.
- Cover the bowl and let it sit for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Don’t go over 2 hours or the chops will be too salty.
- Remove them from the brine and rinse.
- Grill the pork chops on medium high heat for 5-6 minutes on each side.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Cuisine: American
Since we have a family of 5, I usually buy 2 packs of pork chops so we have enough, and then whatever is leftover is my husband’s lunch the next day. BUT, if you just use 4 pork chops, you can get the entire recipe in half except for the salt — just cut it down to 1 cup as the salt is what really helps tenderize the meat. We have learned through trial and error that 2 cups of salt is way too much for 8 chops, so we only increase by a 1/4 cup when we make 8 chops at a time as opposed to four.
Smithfield All-Natural pork sets the standard for the highest quality and safest US born and bred products possible through commitment and compassion.
They show commitment by offering natural products without the addition of steroids or hormones or artificial ingredients. They raise their animals in the US, and they also meet the USDA Process Verified standard.
Smithfield demonstrates compassion for their community by providing local jobs, supporting national and local causes, and partnering and supporting regional farm families throughout the country.
Stay tuned!! I’ll be sharing another delicious pork recipe perfect for your holiday gatherings next week! For more ideas check out Smithfield’s website for how to prepare pork and some great recipes!
18 comments
I’m new to making pork chops. I think I’ve tried making them twice in my life, and just ended up flavoring with salt and pepper. (I know, I’m a culinary rebel). I really like the idea of brining meat, but didn’t consider doing it for pork chops. It looks simple enough, so I might give it a try~ Your set up is also very bright and cheery 🙂 Thank you!
This is absolutely going on my weekly meal plan. We have great quality meat here in Greece but pork can often be a little dry, this sounds like just the job with a little apple sauce on the side!
This porkchop recipe looks so good. I really will have to try it sometime soon.
My husband loves pork chops, too. I’ll share this brining method with him because he’s the grill master at our house (or at least he thinks he is). 🙂
Apple cider pork chops sound awesome, haven’t had porkchops in a long time mainly because I was bored with how I was making them. Will have to give this a try.
Wow, this looks so delicious! I love that this uses apple cider. We love to drink apple cider, but I’ve never cooked with it! I gotta try this!
I never actually thought about brining pork chops, but what a wonderful idea! I’m going to give this recipe a try soon.
My husband makes the best pork chops. If I make them they always end up too dry. His specialties are honey mustard crusted and stuffed pork chops.
I love pork chops and make them when I can but never made them with apple cider nor have I ever used 1 1/4 cups of salt with it,isn’t it too much?
We all love pork chops in my house. These apple cider pork chops sound like something my sons would love to try. I will have to make these for them for something different. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
One of my fall favorites is apple cider. This recipe sounds delicious and I’ll be making it this week!
I love pork chops and probably cook them way too often! I only cook them one way, and the family is tired of them, I am not, but they are–lol. I may try your recipe the next time I get a hankering for them! 🙂
These look absolutely delicious. Don’t know if it’s because I’m hungry or what but making these this week for sure.
The apple cider pork chops looks really delicious. I so rich in flavor and would really taste great.
yummm. i haven’t had pork chops in years. my granny used to cook them all the time before she passed away. I have one about a year ago at a festival it was called a pork chop on a stick and boy was it tasty.
OMG this looks so delicious and easy to make. Would you believe it if I say I haven’t had any pork chops in years?! Time to put an end to that.
Apples and pork are such a classic combination. I love pairing them together – especially this time of year!
My family are not huge fans of pork chops however, I do think it all depends on how you prepare them. These look great!