Apple Pork Chops
苹果猪排 · pan chinese cuisine
A home-style Chinese braise where savory seared pork shoulder is simmered on a bed of fruit, so the pork turns tender while absorbing the sweet apple and onion flavors.
Marisol VegaFirst-gen Mexican American mom of three trying to finally write down my abuela's recipes before I forget them. Slow-cooked pozole Sunday regular here. Ask me about mole shortcuts!Questions & feedback
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Nutrition & allergens
Contains:SoyWheat
Some ingredients are not yet allergen-surveyed; this label is not exhaustive.
Per serving (4 servings)
- Energy (kcal)
- Unknown
- Protein (g)
- Unknown
- Fat (g)
- Unknown
- Carbs (g)
- 4.1(Main ingredients only; seasoning not counted)
- Sodium (mg)
- Unknown
Estimated from verified ingredient data for the original formula — not lab values, and one dish is not a full meal.
pork collar (pork shoulder butt, boneless)猪梅花肉
as needed
ping guo苹果
0.5 whole
onion洋葱
0.5 whole
as needed
black pepper黑胡椒粉
to taste
salt盐
to taste
to taste
as needed
to taste
as needed
as needed
to taste
Techniques you'll use
- Marinating ↗
Season protein ahead with soy, wine, and starch for flavor and texture.
- Pan-frying (jian) ↗
Sear food in a shallow layer of oil, one side at a time.
- Aromatic blooming (bao xiang) ↗
Bloom ginger, garlic, and chili in hot oil to build the aroma base.
- Sugar caramelizing (chao tang se) ↗
Melt sugar into amber caramel to color and flavor braises.
- Simmering (dun) ↗
Gentle low-heat cooking in liquid until flavors merge and meat softens.
Steps
- 1
Step 1
Cut the pork shoulder into slices about one finger thick.
✅ Done when: All slices are an even, one-finger thickness.
- 2
Step 2
Score each slice in a crosshatch pattern, cutting both horizontally and vertically without cutting all the way through.
✅ Done when: Each slice shows a diamond crosshatch on the surface but remains intact.
Add black pepper, salt, thirteen-spice powder, and oil, then massage to coat evenly and marinate for 15 minutes.
✅ Done when: The pork is evenly coated with the seasoning and has rested in the marinade for 15 minutes.
- 4
Step 4
Core and slice half an apple, thinly slice half an onion, and peel a few cloves of garlic.
✅ Done when: Apple slices, onion shreds, and peeled garlic cloves are all ready on the counter.
Pan-fry the pork chops over medium-low heat without flipping them, then remove them once browned as shown.
✅ Done when: The underside of each chop is golden brown.
Leave the oil in the pan, add the garlic and stir-fry until fragrant, then add the onion and cook until aromatic.
✅ Done when: The garlic and onion smell fragrant and the onion has softened.
- 7
Step 7
Arrange the apple slices in an even layer in the pan.
✅ Done when: The apple slices cover the pan bottom in a single layer.
Lay the pork chops on top of the apples, then add sugar (brown or white), light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cinnamon.
✅ Done when: The chops sit in a layer over the apples with the seasonings added.
Pour in boiling water to just cover the pork chops, cover, and simmer for 13 minutes. If the meat comes out tough, finish it in a pressure cooker on the rice setting instead.
✅ Done when: After 13 minutes covered, the pork is cooked through and tender.