Easy Apple Braised Pork Chops

Steps

1. 1

   Step 115 min

   Marinating ↗
   

   Prep the pork: cut the pork collar into several large slices and pound them with the back of a knife to loosen the meat. Massage with pepper salt and a bit of oil, add 6 smashed garlic cloves, and marinate for 15 minutes. (If using separate pepper and salt, season generously — undersalting will make the meat taste bland.)

   ✅ Done when: The pork slices are evenly coated with the seasoning and garlic and have rested 15 minutes.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Off heat
   

   Prep the aromatics and sauce: core one apple and cut it into chunks, and cut half an onion into strips. In a bowl, stir together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, rice wine, and sugar; set aside. (Rice wine is optional but brightens the fruit aroma.)

   ✅ Done when: The apple chunks, onion strips, and a uniform mixed sauce are all ready to use.

3. 3

   Step 38 min

   Medium-high heatPan-frying (jian) ↗
   

   Sear the pork chops: add the pork to the pan and cook about 2 minutes per side without flipping frequently, until one side is golden brown, then sear the other side. After both sides are seared, give each side another 1-2 minutes — you're looking for chops that look delicious and smell fragrant. Remove the pork and set aside.

   ✅ Done when: Both surfaces are golden brown and the chops are fragrant.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Medium heatStir-frying ↗
   

   Saute the aromatics: in the oil remaining in the pan, stir-fry the onion and the garlic from the marinade until fragrant.

   ✅ Done when: The onion and garlic are softened and smell fragrant.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Medium heatStir-frying ↗
   

   Add the apple chunks and stir-fry for a few tosses.

   ✅ Done when: The apple pieces are evenly coated in the pan oils and just starting to soften.

6. 6

   Step 6

   

   Arrange the seared pork chops on top of the vegetables.

   ✅ Done when: The pork chops sit in a single layer on top of the apple and onion.

7. 7

   Step 7

   

   Pour the reserved sauce mixture over everything.

   ✅ Done when: All the ingredients are evenly moistened with the sauce.

8. 8

   Step 815 min

   Low heatSimmering (dun) ↗
   

   Pour in hot water until it just covers the vegetables and comes just below the top of the pork chops — no need to submerge them. Add a little cinnamon powder (a few shakes) or a small piece of cinnamon bark; use sparingly, as cinnamon is assertive and should be an accent. Cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.

   ✅ Done when: After 15 minutes covered on low heat, the pork is cooked through and the liquid has reduced somewhat.

9. 9

   Step 9

   High heatStarch thickening (gou qian) ↗
   

   Reduce the sauce: uncover, raise the heat, and watch closely — the sauce suddenly thickens at a certain moment. Once thickened, toss a couple of times and remove from the pan.

   ✅ Done when: The sauce has visibly thickened and coats the pork and vegetables.

10. 10

    Step 10

    

    Plate and serve. The author's total time from searing to plating was 33 minutes.

    ✅ Done when: The pork chops and vegetables are plated with a glossy, thickened sauce.