Description
Rich, savory French onion pork chops deliver comfort on a plate, blending caramelized onions and tender meat with classic French countryside flavors. Cheese-topped and deeply satisfying, this dish promises a delightful meal you’ll want to savor slowly.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 boneless pork chops (about 1-inch thick)
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese (or Swiss, mozzarella, or provolone)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar (optional, helps caramelization)
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (or Worcestershire sauce)
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (for garnish)
Cooking Fats and Liquids:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup beef broth
- ½ cup beef broth (extra for baking, if needed)
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the pork chops by generously seasoning with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, ensuring even coverage across both sides of the meat.
- Heat a combination of olive oil and butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling surface for perfect browning.
- Carefully place the seasoned pork chops into the hot skillet, allowing them to develop a rich golden crust for 3-4 minutes on each side, then transfer to a temporary plate.
- Reduce the skillet’s heat to medium and melt additional butter, creating a foundation for caramelizing the onions.
- Add sliced onions to the skillet, stirring periodically and allowing them to slowly transform into a deep amber color over 15-20 minutes.
- Introduce a touch of sugar, balsamic vinegar, and fresh thyme to intensify the onions’ complex flavor profile, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
- Pour beef broth into the skillet, gently scraping accumulated browned bits from the pan’s surface to incorporate maximum flavor.
- Return the seared pork chops to the skillet, nestling them among the luxurious caramelized onions.
- Generously sprinkle Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses over the pork chops, creating a decadent melting topping.
- Transfer the skillet to a preheated 375F (190C) oven, allowing the cheese to melt and the pork to reach a perfect internal temperature of 145F (63C).
- After removing from the oven, let the dish rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and flavors to meld.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or roasted seasonal vegetables.
Notes
- Swap out regular salt for kosher salt to enhance the meat’s natural flavors and create a more balanced seasoning profile.
- Choose bone-in pork chops for extra juiciness and richer taste, as the bone helps retain moisture during cooking.
- Use a cast-iron skillet for superior heat distribution and perfect golden-brown searing of the pork chops.
- For a gluten-free version, replace beef broth with chicken or vegetable broth and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Low-carb dieters can skip the sugar and use a touch of monk fruit sweetener to maintain the caramelization process without adding carbohydrates.
- Opt for grass-fed butter and organic cheese to boost nutritional value and create a more environmentally conscious meal.
- Allow pork chops to rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking to ensure even heat penetration and more tender meat.
- Slice onions uniformly to guarantee consistent caramelization and prevent burning during the cooking process.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg