Nitrate & Nitrite Free Apple Cider Glazed Pork Chops
Pork chops are one of those weeknight dinners that feel special without demanding much, and this version delivers serious flavor through a glossy, tangy-sweet glaze built entirely from whole, clean ingredients. The concern with a lot of packaged or cured pork products is the presence of added preservatives, but these bone-in chops are seasoned with nothing but salt, warm spices, and coconut oil — no curing agents, no processed shortcuts. A rub of turmeric, ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon gives the meat a beautifully aromatic crust before it even hits the glaze. Unfiltered apple cider, apple cider vinegar, honey, and fresh thyme do all the heavy lifting in the pan, reducing down into something syrupy and deeply savory as the browned bits from the sear get folded right in. The result is a skillet dinner that looks and tastes like it came from a restaurant but relies entirely on ingredients you can trace and trust. Finishing with a spoonful of that glossy pan sauce over each chop makes every bite rich, bright, and completely satisfying.
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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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