Legume Free Apple Cider Glazed Pork Chops
Juicy, golden-seared pork chops finished in a glossy apple cider glaze — this is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels far more impressive than the effort involved. The chops get rubbed with a warm blend of turmeric, ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon before hitting a hot skillet, building a deeply caramelized crust that locks in all the good stuff. From there, unfiltered apple cider, a splash of apple cider vinegar, honey, and fresh thyme come together in the same pan to create a sauce that's tangy, lightly sweet, and absolutely worth spooning over everything on the plate. Because the entire recipe relies on whole spices, fresh aromatics, meat, and fruit-based liquids, there's nothing hiding in the ingredient list that could trip up anyone avoiding legumes — no bean-based oils, no soy, no sneaky fillers. Legume-free cooking can sometimes feel limiting with sauces and glazes, since so many store-bought options sneak in soy or other additives, but this one is built entirely from scratch with clean, straightforward pantry staples. The pan sauce reduces into something almost syrupy, clinging to each chop in the most satisfying way. Scatter a few fresh thyme leaves over the top before serving and you've got a plate that looks like it came out of a proper restaurant kitchen.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 bone-in pork chops (about ¾ inch thick, 6–8 oz each)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ceylon cinnamon
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
For the glaze
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 cup apple cider (unfiltered, unsweetened)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Pat the pork chops completely dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, stir together the salt, turmeric, ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon. Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of each chop.
- 2
Heat the coconut oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the pork chops in a single layer and sear, undisturbed, for 4 minutes, until the underside is deep golden and releases easily from the pan. Flip and sear the second side for 3–4 minutes, until equally golden.
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