This Fall Favorite Is The Key To Juicy Pork Chops

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Who doesn't love the sweet and tangy taste of apple cider when the leaves are changing and the air is crisp? When it comes to incorporating this fall beverage in food, donuts likely come to mind. However, you can also use it as a glaze or brine that will make your pork chops extra juicy.

We've all suffered through dry pork chops that require several extra chews before swallowing. It's relatively easy to overcook them since they often don't have enough fat to prevent them from losing too much moisture. It's a good idea to take additional steps to ensure they stay juicy (like pulling them when they reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit and letting them rest), but the cider will also help offset issues caused by the meat's leanness.

To achieve extra succulence, you can soak the chops in a brine for several hours before cooking. This helps retain moisture and breaks down proteins in the meat, resulting in greater tenderness. While a typical brine is a solution of salt and water, replacing the water with apple cider will give the food a subtly sweet and tart flavor that screams autumn. Alternatively or additionally, for more apple flavor, consider making a reduction or pan sauce like the one in this Mashed apple cider pork chops recipe. You can do this by simmering the liquid with the leftover brown bits of pan-seared pork chops and cooking the meat in the glaze.

Apple ciders can taste different depending on the brand since each one could use different production methods, types of apples, and added ingredients. Low-quality cider might taste more like apple juice and have an artificial flavor. Therefore, when choosing an option for your pork chops, it's a good idea to go with one that's highly rated. For instance, when Mashed ranked some of the worst and best grocery store apple ciders, the Ohio Cider Company came out on top, while Instant Alpine Spiced Apple Cider ended up at the bottom.

While it might be the best apple cider brand to buy this fall, Ohio Cider Company isn't always available in stores. In that case, another well-regarded offering is Musselman's Fresh Pressed 100% Apple Cider, an affordable option found at Walmart. Folks could also try Trader Joe's seasonal Spiced Cider, which will boost the flavor of your pork with ingredients like cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. Some shoppers have come across another quality alternative, Zeigler's Honey Crisp Apple Cider, at Costco.

Local apple orchards also often sell fresh cider. If you go the local route, it's a good idea to ask whether the product is pasteurized, since unpasteurized varieties potentially contain harmful bacteria. In the latter case, the CDC recommends boiling the liquid for at least a minute to help kill the bacteria before you consume the product.