French Onion Pork Chops
French Onion Pork Chops are a rich, comforting skillet dinner made with juicy pork chops, deeply caramelized onions, savory broth, and melted Gruyère cheese. Inspired by the flavors of classic French onion soup, this easy recipe delivers big flavor with simple ingredients and is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time40 minutes mins
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, French
Keyword: French onion pork chops, pork chops recipe
Servings: 4
Calories: 393kcal
- 4 pork chops about 1 inch thick, either bone-in or boneless
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 large onions thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup beef broth low sodium
- ½ cup Gruyère grated, or Swiss cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sliced onions and sugar, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add the minced garlic and thyme, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Pour the beef broth into the skillet with the onions, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer.
Return the pork chops to the skillet, nestling them into the onions and broth. Cover and simmer gently for about 5-7 minutes, or until the pork chops are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the pork chops. Cover the skillet again just until the cheese melts, about 1-2 minutes.
Serve the pork chops hot, topped with the caramelized onions and melted cheese. Garnish with chopped parsley.
- Use thick pork chops: Pork chops about 1 inch thick stay much juicier than thin chops and are less likely to overcook.
- Take your time with the onions: Properly caramelized onions should be deep golden and very soft. This step builds most of the flavor in the dish.
- Do not crowd the pan: Sear the pork chops with a little space between them so they develop a good golden crust instead of steaming.
- Scrape the pan when adding broth: Those browned bits on the bottom of the skillet add huge flavor to the sauce.
- Check the temperature: Pork chops are best when cooked to 145°F (63°C) and then rested for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve with something to catch the sauce: Mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or roasted potatoes are perfect for soaking up the caramelized onion sauce.
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 297mg | Potassium: 807mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 188IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 207mg | Iron: 1mg