Description
Juicy, grilled pork chops basted with nutty brown butter and fresh sage, served with caramelized apples. This forgiving, fast, and flavorful recipe is perfect for fall grilling.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 pork chops (bone-in, center-cut, about 1.5 inches thick / 600-700g)
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (for baste)
- 10–12 fresh sage leaves
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), sliced ¼-inch thick
- 1 tablespoon butter (for apples)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional, for drizzle)
Instructions
- Prep the grill for two-zone cooking: create a hot side for searing and a cooler side for indirect heat.
- Pat pork chops dry and rub with a mixture of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried sage. Let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
- Sear chops on the hot side of the grill for 2-3 minutes per side until grill marks form.
- While chops sear, melt 4 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it turns amber and smells nutty. Remove from heat and stir in minced garlic and fresh sage leaves.
- Move chops to the indirect heat side. Baste generously with the brown butter mixture. Cook for 5-7 minutes, flipping and basting every 2 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet. Add apple slices, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and tender.
- Transfer chops to a plate, tent with foil, and rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve chops topped with caramelized apples and drizzled with maple syrup if desired.
Notes
Use a thermometer to ensure pork reaches 145°F. Do not skip resting the meat. Brown butter burns easily, so watch it closely. For smoky flavor with gas grills, use a smoker box with hickory or applewood chips.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pork chop with car
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: brown butter, sage pork chops, fall grilling, caramelized apples, pork chop recipe, outdoor cooking, easy dinner