In the US, recipes that pair pork with apples have long been popular at home and holiday tables. And since I promise speedy recipes to you, I’d like to introduce Apple Cranberry Pork Chop with Stuffing and Mixed Vegetables – easy to assemble and can be served at fall gatherings and family dinners.
The rich applesauce and bright cranberries contrast the pork, and stuffing plus mixed veggies round it out beautifully. In my take, I gently simmer pork chops in a creamy fruit sauce then serve them over buttery stuffing and vegetables.
What is Apple Cranberry Pork Chop with Stuffing and Mixed Vegetables?
Apple Cranberry Pork Chop features pan-fried pork chops braised in a sauce made from applesauce, fresh cranberries, brown sugar, and cinnamon. The name hints at its roots in classic American pork-and-apple dishes. Americans love pairing pork with fruit for a rich and comforting dinner.
Outside the US, people adapt pork-and-fruit pairings using what’s available in their regions. In parts of Europe, cooks often combine pork with stewed apples or pears, while in Latin America, guava-based sauces sometimes take the place of applesauce.
Pork-and-applesauce dishes date back to at least the 1890s in the US, especially during colder months when apples stored well and meat was preserved in cuts like chops and roasts. They are a sight especially on holidays, such as Thanksgiving. So let these Apple Cranberry Pork Chops charm you as fruit and meat don’t need a holiday to work!
Ingredients of Apple Cranberry Pork Chop with Stuffing and Mixed Vegetables
- Pork chops (3 pieces) – These carry the dish. I go for bone-in chops with moderate thickness to hold up to a 47-minute simmer without drying.
- Applesauce (16 oz.) – This gives the sauce body and sweetness. I prefer unsweetened so I can control the sugar level.
- Fresh cranberries (½ cup) – I use these to punch up the flavor. They add tartness that cuts through the richness of pork and applesauce.
- Brown sugar (¼ cup) – This balances the cranberries and helps the sauce thicken as it simmers.
- Cinnamon (¼ teaspoon) – It adds warmth to the sauce and pairs well with both pork and apples.
- Water (1 cup) – I use this as the simmer base and to loosen the sauce as needed.
- Salt and pepper (to taste) – These go in near the end. I always season after reducing the sauce so I don’t overseason early.
- Butter (3 tablespoons) – I melt this with oil to sear the pork. It gives flavor and helps with browning.
- Cooking oil (2 tablespoons) – I combine this with butter so I can sear at a higher temp without burning the fat.
- Cooked stuffing (3 cups) – You can use boxed or homemade stuffing. It soaks up the sauce well and gives texture contrast.
- Mixed vegetables cooked in butter (1½ cups) – These lighten the plate and add color. I usually go for carrots, peas, and corn cooked in butter until just tender.
How This Apple Cranberry Pork Chop Stands Out
Many Apple Cranberry Pork Chop recipes online either bake the pork chops or simmer them in fruit juice alone. Some lean on dried cranberries or sweetened sauces that end up tasting one-note. My method keeps it simple but focused. I pan-fry the chops for flavor, then simmer them low and slow in a mix of applesauce and fresh cranberries. That simmer locks in flavor and keeps the pork tender without drowning in sugar.
Other versions also skip cinnamon or rush the simmer, but I time it right – 35 minutes first, then another 12 minutes after adding brown sugar and cinnamon. That extra simmer allows the fruit to break down and form a richer sauce with just enough body. Traditional styles often use a baked approach, but this stovetop version is faster, easier to control, and doesn’t require preheating or cleanup from a baking dish. If you’ve tried other Apple Cranberry Pork Chop versions, this one will surprise you with how direct and rewarding it is!
How to Cook Apple Cranberry Pork Chop with Stuffing and Mixed Vegetables
- Start with a hot pan – I combine 3 tablespoons of butter with 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large pan. Once it melts and starts to bubble, I know it’s hot enough to sear.
- Brown the pork chops – I lay down the 3 pork chops and sear each side for 3 minutes. This gives the outside some color and flavor while sealing in juices.
- Build the base of the sauce – I pour in 1 cup of water and bring it to a boil. I stir in 16 oz. of applesauce and ½ cup fresh cranberries, then cover the pan and turn the heat to low.
- Let it simmer low and slow – I let it cook gently for 35 minutes. If the sauce gets too thick or starts to dry up, I splash in more water or applesauce.
- Add sweetness and spice – After the first simmer, I stir in ¼ cup brown sugar and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon. I cover again and let it cook for another 12 minutes so the flavors blend.
- Taste and season – Once the sauce thickens slightly, I remove the lid and add salt and pepper. I taste the sauce directly and adjust to my liking.
- Assemble the plate – I spoon 3 cups of cooked stuffing onto a plate and add 1½ cups of buttered mixed vegetables. I place a pork chop on top and ladle sauce over it generously.
What to Have with Apple Cranberry Pork Chop with Stuffing and Mixed Vegetables
I usually serve apple cranberry pork chop with a few other things on the table. It’s already hearty, but the right side dishes round it out and keep the whole plate interesting. These are some go-to pairings I commonly serve with this dish in the US.
- Mashed potatoes – This adds a smooth and earthy counterpoint to the fruit-forward sauce. I love how it soaks up the extra juices from the pork.
- Creamed spinach – This mild, rich side gives a creamy contrast that works well with the fruit and meat.
- Soft dinner rolls – These are a must for me. I use them to scoop up the stuffing and the sauce left behind on the plate. Or if you’re feeling extra fancy today, a bruschetta will work.
The full plate tastes like something you’d get during the holidays, but it doesn’t take holiday effort. Apple cranberry pork chop with stuffing and mixed vegetables gives enough on its own, but paired smartly, it becomes even more satisfying.
Apple Cranberry Pork Chop with Stuffing and Mixed Vegetables
Ingredients
- 3 pieces pork chops see notes below
- 16 oz. applesauce
- ½ cup fresh cranberries
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 3 cups cooked stuffing of your choice
- 1 ½ cups mixed vegetables cooked in butter
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a pan. Add the cooking oil.3 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- Once the oil and butter gets hot, pan-fry the pork chops for 3 minutes per side.3 pieces pork chops
- Pour the water in the pan. Let boil. Add the applesauce and cranberries. Cover and cook in low heat for 35 minutes. Add more water if needed.16 oz. applesauce, 1 cup water, ½ cup fresh cranberries
- Add the sugar and cinnamon. Cover and cook in low heat for 12 minutes. Make sure that there is enough liquid. Otherwise, add water and applesauce.¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- Once the sauce reduces and gets thick, add salt and pepper to taste.Salt and pepper to taste
- Arrange the cooked stuffing and cooked mixed veggies in a plate and then add the apple cranberry pork chops.3 cups cooked stuffing of your choice, 1 ½ cups mixed vegetables cooked in butter
- Serve for dinner. Share and enjoy!
Notes
- Watch the sauce thickness early. I don’t wait until the end to check the sauce. If it looks too dry during the first 35-minute simmer, I pour in a splash of water or applesauce to keep it from burning.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. When I brown the pork chops, I use a wide pan. If the chops are packed too tight, they steam instead of sear, and that hurts the final flavor.
- Use real applesauce, not fruit puree. I’ve tested this with both, and fruit puree tends to be thinner and sometimes sweetened differently. Applesauce gives the sauce its body and holds the seasoning better.
- Frozen cranberries work too. I’ve made this plenty of times with frozen cranberries when fresh ones weren’t in season. Just thaw them first and pat dry to keep the sauce from turning watery.
- Skip baking and stay with the stovetop. I’ve baked similar pork recipes before, but this one tastes fresher and more vibrant when cooked fully in a pan. It gives better control over the sauce and timing.
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