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French onion smothered pork chops - featured image

French Onion Smothered Pork Chops


  • Author: ava_chapman
  • Total Time: 60 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A hearty, comforting dish featuring thick-cut pork chops smothered in a rich, caramelized onion sauce made with red wine and beef broth. It offers the taste of a French bistro with simple, weeknight-friendly steps.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, thick-cut pork chops (1 to 1.5 inches thick)
  • 3 large yellow onions, sliced into half-moons
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 34 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine (such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Slice onions thinly into half-moons. Heat a large skillet over medium heat with 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add onions and a pinch of salt, cooking slowly for 25-30 minutes until deep golden brown and soft, stirring every 5-10 minutes. Deglaze with water or broth if sticking occurs.
  2. Add minced garlic and thyme to the onions, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove onion mixture from the pan and set aside on a plate.
  3. Pat pork chops dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Lightly dust chops with flour, shaking off excess.
  4. In the same pan, add another tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Heat over medium-high. Sear pork chops for 3-4 minutes per side until a brown crust forms and internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Remove chops to a clean plate and tent with foil.
  5. Reduce heat to medium. Pour in red wine, scraping up brown bits from the pan bottom. Reduce wine by half, about 3 minutes.
  6. Add beef broth and Dijon mustard to the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
  7. Return the onion mixture to the pan and stir into the sauce. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Nestle pork chops back into the pan, spooning onions and sauce over the top. Cover and simmer on low for 5 minutes.
  9. Remove from heat and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when searing pork; cook in batches if necessary. Patience is key when caramelizing onions to avoid burning. Let the pork rest before serving to retain juices. For a gluten-free version, skip the flour dusting and use a cornstarch slurry if thickening is needed.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 pork chop with gen
  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 6
  • Sodium: 600
  • Fat: 35
  • Saturated Fat: 14
  • Carbohydrates: 12
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 40

Keywords: pork chops, french onion, caramelized onions, weeknight dinner, comfort food, skillet dinner, red wine sauce