Sesame Free Apple Cider Glazed Pork Chops
Pork chops have a reputation for being either bland or dry, but this skillet version is neither — it's deeply savory, warmly spiced, and finished in a glossy cider glaze that makes the whole pan smell incredible. A rub of turmeric, ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon gives the meat a beautiful golden crust before it even hits the glaze, and searing in coconut oil locks in that color and flavor. The sauce comes together from apple cider, a splash of cider vinegar, honey, and fresh thyme — nothing hidden, nothing processed, just clean pantry ingredients that reduce into something genuinely restaurant-worthy. For anyone navigating sesame-free cooking, this recipe is a natural fit: every component is straightforward, and there's no soy sauce, tahini, or other common sesame-containing shortcuts in sight. The garlic gets a quick toast in the drippings before the liquid goes in, which adds a subtle depth that makes the glaze taste like it took far more effort than it did. Spoon the pan sauce generously over each chop before serving and don't skip the fresh thyme on top — it lifts the whole dish.
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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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