Nitrate & Nitrite Free Rosemary Apple Pork Chops
Pork chops done right are one of the most satisfying weeknight dinners you can put on the table, and this skillet version delivers serious flavor without relying on any cured or processed ingredients. That matters more than it sounds — a lot of store-bought pork products and even some broths sneak in preservatives that people following a nitrate- and nitrite-free lifestyle are trying to avoid. Here, everything is straightforward: fresh bone-in chops seasoned with sea salt, turmeric, and ginger, seared in coconut oil until deeply golden, then finished in a pan sauce built from real apple slices, garlic, rosemary, bone broth, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of honey. The apples soften into something almost jammy, and the sauce picks up all those caramelized bits from the bottom of the pan, so every bite is layered and rich. Fresh rosemary ties the whole thing together with an herby, slightly piney note that makes this feel far more special than the effort involved. It's the kind of recipe that proves clean eating doesn't have to mean bland eating — just good ingredients treated well.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 bone-in pork chops (about ¾ inch thick, 6–8 oz each)
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 medium apples (such as honeycrisp or fuji), cored and thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 cup bone broth (homemade or aip-compliant brand)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Pat the pork chops completely dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, stir together the salt, turmeric, and ginger, then rub the 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 3–4 minutes, until the underside is deep golden and releases easily from the pan. Flip and sear the second side for 3 minutes. Transfer the chops to a plate and set aside — they will finish cooking in the sauce.
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