Imagine succulent pork chops, perfectly seared and cooked to perfection, swimming in a luscious sauce made with sweet cherries and rich red wine. The dish is a delicious blend of savory and sweet, with each bite leaving you craving more. The unique qualities of the cherry wine sauce elevate the humble pork chops into a restaurant-worthy meal that you can easily whip up in your own kitchen. Let’s get cooking!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in pork chops, about 1 inch thick
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
- 1/2 cup dry red wine
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Start by seasoning the pork chops generously with salt and black pepper on both sides.
- In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and sear for about 3-4 minutes per side until they develop a golden brown crust. Transfer the chops to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the red wine, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze and pick up all those flavorful brown bits.
- Add the chicken broth, balsamic vinegar, honey or brown sugar, and dried thyme to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 3 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Stir in the fresh or frozen cherries and return the seared pork chops to the skillet. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the pork chops are cooked through and the cherries are soft and tender.
- Remove the pork chops and cherries from the skillet, and set them aside on a serving plate.
- Add unsalted butter to the cherry wine sauce in the skillet and whisk until it’s melted and well combined.
- Pour the cherry wine sauce over the pork chops and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
For a quick weeknight dinner, you can use boneless pork chops instead, reducing the cooking time slightly. If fresh cherries are not available, frozen cherries work just as well and are a convenient alternative. To pair nicely with this meal, serve the pork chops with roasted vegetables or a side of creamy mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
