The BEST baked Pork Chops with caramelized peaches, onions and goat cheese

I finally did it. After trying to make the perfect pork chops with multiple trial and errors, I figured it out.

A few things about this recipe, if you want it to turn out great:

1. You need a meat thermometer
2. You have to do the brining part for at least 2-3 hours before cooking
3. You have to like pork

Brining is amazing. I just recently discovered this technique. It actually changes the molecular structure of the meat and makes it so juicy and amazing. So don’t skip it. You won’t be sorry I promise.

So without further delay here the recipe for the BEST pork chops!!

Ingredients:

Brine:

• 2-4 pork chops
• 1 cup boiled water
• 2.5 tbsp table salt
• 2 cups cold water
• 1 tsp rosemary
• 1 tsp pepper

Rub/Marinade:

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary if you have it, otherwise use dry
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp salt

Topping:

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 peach diced
• 1/2 yellow onion diced
• 1 tbsp goat cheese (regular or with honey)
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• pinch of salt

Instructions:

For the brining:

1. Boil 1 cup of water
2. Add salt, rosemary and pepper and mix well in a medium bowl
3. Add 2 cups of cold water to cool down the mixture and mix
4. In a relatively shallow dish (should fit 3 cups of water and pork chops), place pork chops in the dish and pour the water mixture over it
5. If your brine doesn’t cover the pork chops add enough cold water and salt to cover it. Use a ratio of 1 cup water to 1.5 tbsp salt when adding
6. Leave in fridge for 2-3 hours or longer if possible. I usually leave it for 6 hours or overnight

For the baking/ topping:

1. Preheat oven to 400F
2. After you brined the pork chops, remove them from the water mixture and place in baking dish
3. In a medium bowl combine the marinade ingredients (apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, brown sugar, garlic, rosemary and salt) and mix well
4. Cover both sides of each pork chop with the mixture and set aside for 5-10 minutes
5. Heat butter in medium skillet
6. Once butter is melting, add onions and salt
7. Cook on medium-high heat until onions become golden, mixing frequently to avoid burning
8. Add brown sugar and mix well, allowing it to caramelize
9. Turn heat to medium and add peaches
10. At this point, place your pork chops in the oven and set the timer for 10 minutes
11. Continue to cook peaches with onions until they become more soft and brownish (3-5 minutes)
12. Turn heat to low and mix in goat cheese. Cover the pan and let it be for another 5-7 minutes, mixing occasionally.
13. Once your pork chops have been cooking for 10 minutes, take them out and check the internal temp with a meat thermometer. Cooking time really depends on thickness and whether you are making 2-4 pork chops. The internal temp should be 145-150F, so its less than than place back in oven in intervals of 5-10 minutes. Just to give you an idea, i made 2 pork chops that were about 1/2 an inch thick and about 4 inches in length and they took about 20-25 minutes.
14. Once your pork chops are done, remove them from the oven and let them rest for 5-7 minutes! Don’t skip this!
15. Place your cooked peach/onion/goat cheese mixture on top of the pork chops and serve with side of your choice. (Mine here is smashed potatoes)
16. Enjoy!