Description
Savory French onion smothered pork chops blend classic French comfort with hearty American flavors. Caramelized onions and rich gravy elevate tender pork chops, creating a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 4 bone-in pork chops, about 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) thick
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1/2 cup grated Gruyere cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, plus more for garnish
Liquids and Oils:
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasonings:
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Generously coat pork chops with salt and black pepper, ensuring even seasoning on both surfaces.
- Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high temperature, creating an ideal searing environment.
- Carefully place seasoned pork chops into the hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a rich golden-brown crust for approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Transfer seared chops to a clean plate, reserving skillet for subsequent cooking stages.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and introduce butter to the same skillet, then add sliced onions with a delicate salt sprinkle.
- Slowly caramelize onions, stirring occasionally, allowing them to transform into a deep golden, softened state over roughly 25 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic during the final minute of onion preparation, releasing its aromatic essence.
- Pour beef broth into the skillet, using a wooden spoon to dislodge flavorful browned remnants from the pan’s surface.
- Incorporate fresh thyme, creating a fragrant liquid base.
- Gently nestle pork chops back into the onion-infused broth, covering the skillet to simmer for 10 minutes until meat reaches perfect doneness.
- Sprinkle Gruyère cheese atop each pork chop, then transfer skillet to broiler.
- Broil until cheese melts into a bubbling, golden-brown blanket.
- Garnish with additional fresh thyme sprigs and serve immediately, ensuring each plate receives a generous helping of caramelized onions.
Notes
- Choose thick-cut pork chops for juicier results and better searing, preventing dryness during cooking.
- Patience is key when caramelizing onions; low and slow develops deep, sweet flavors without burning.
- Pat pork chops dry before seasoning to ensure perfect golden-brown crust and better meat browning.
- For gluten-free version, use cornstarch instead of traditional flour to thicken sauce if needed.
- Swap Gruyère with lactose-free cheese or nutritional yeast for dairy-free dietary requirements.
- Use bone-in pork chops for enhanced flavor and more tender meat texture.
- Allow pork chops to rest 5 minutes after cooking to retain maximum juiciness and redistribute internal moisture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 100mg