Description
Succulent french onion pork chops deliver classic French bistro comfort with caramelized onions and melted gruyère cheese. Hearty protein meets rich flavor in this simple yet elegant dinner perfect for family gatherings or elegant weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 pork chops (boneless, about 1-inch thick)
- 1 cup Gruyere cheese (shredded, or Swiss, mozzarella, or provolone)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 large yellow onions (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup beef broth
- ½ cup beef broth (extra for baking, if needed)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp sugar (optional, helps caramelization)
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar (or Worcestershire sauce)
- ½ tsp dried thyme (or 1 tsp fresh)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Seasoning: Thoroughly coat pork chops with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder on both sides, ensuring uniform coverage.
- Searing: Heat olive oil and butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling surface to develop a golden crust on pork chops for 3-4 minutes per side, then set aside.
- Caramelizing: Reduce skillet heat to medium, melt butter, and add sliced onions, stirring periodically until they transform into a deep amber color over 15-20 minutes.
- Flavor Enhancement: Incorporate sugar, balsamic vinegar, and fresh thyme to intensify onions’ complexity, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
- Liquid Integration: Pour beef broth into the skillet, delicately scraping browned bits to maximize flavor depth.
- Cheese Topping: Return pork chops to the skillet, nestling among caramelized onions, then generously sprinkle Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses over the meat.
- Finishing: Bake in a preheated 375F (190C) oven until cheese melts and pork reaches an internal temperature of 145F (63C), approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Serving: Allow dish to rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley and accompany with mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Master Meat Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to precisely check the 145F internal temperature, preventing overcooking and ensuring juicy, tender pork chops.
- Control Onion Caramelization: Stir onions consistently at medium-low heat, preventing burning and achieving deep golden-brown color without scorching.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Select room-temperature cheese for smooth, even melting and sprinkle generously to create a luxurious, bubbling golden crust.
- Meat Resting Strategy: Allow pork chops to rest exactly 5 minutes after cooking, enabling natural juice redistribution and maintaining maximum tenderness and flavor concentration.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg