Pork and apples are a common combination, right? But a bit tired. Why not jazz up your dinner and make pork with blueberry balsamic sauce instead? The sweetness of the blueberries and the tangy vinegar are a fantastic complement to the rich, meaty pork.
The result: absolutely divine! I really wanted to eat it again! Heck, I want to eat it now (as I type this early in the morning).
It all sounds planned from that description, but it really wasn’t. I bought some pork chops intending to make a stir fry. But that’s not what I ended up making. It suddenly occurred to me that I had some fresh blueberries (they were on sale) and that blueberries and pork would work nicely together. A quick search and I found a number of recipes combining blueberries, pork, and balsamic vinegar. Seemed like a great combination! Some recipes were more involved then others. But it was a weeknight. I didn’t feel like fussing too much. So, naturally, I chose a simple one! Less mess and fewer ingredients. It’s largely this recipe, but I swapped the sugar with honey (so I could use less and it would dissolve into the sauce faster). And so pork with blueberry balsamic sauce was born!
I reduced both the quantity of everything and the cooking time for the sauce (since there’s a lot less of it – make sure to keep the flame super-low).
I’ve made this with a pork chop, but a tenderloin, or even chunks of pork would work just as well.
Pork with Blueberry Balsamic Sauce
An easy, and delicious weeknight dinner bursting with sweet and tangy flavor.
Ingredients
Pork
- 1 bone-in pork chop (about 1/2 lb)
- 2 tsp canola or neutral oil
- 1/3 tsp dried thyme
- generous pinch garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- 1 to 1/4 tsp honey (to taste)
- 2 T balsamic vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 T fresh blueberries
Instructions
Pork (stage 1)
- Put the pork chop in a ziplock or sealable small bag.
- Add the rest of the seasonings and shake to distribute the seasoning over the meat.
- Set aside and start the sauce.
Sauce
- Add the garlic, honey, vinegar, salt and pepper to a small saucepan.
- Heat on very low for 2-3 minutes. Add the blueberries and mash them a bit with the back of a spoon (preferably wooden).
- Cook gently another 5 minutes until it thickens. Then turn off the heat.
Pork (stage 2)
- Heat the oil in a frying pan. Add the pork chop, give each side a quick sear, then cook on medium for 5 minutes or so.
- Flip the chop to the other side and cook another 5 minutes. Take off the heat and let rest for five minutes.
- It's done when it's slightly springy to the touch.
- Place the chop on a plate and spoon the sauce over it.
More Pork Recipes
Made with ground pork, cooked in a salsa verde of jalapeños, garlic, onion, and cumin.
Unlike most chili recipes, this one cooks fairly quickly (especially if you’ve got cooked or canned beans).
Apple Glazed Ham Steak Recipe for One Person
Back to basics here (pork and apples), but with a twist. Because ham is usually paired with pineapple. And, since the ham is essentially pre-cooked, it’s ready in just a few minutes.
Honey Mustard Glazed Spareribs
Tender, not too sweet, with just a bit of a mustard kick. And they cook in about an hour.
Pork Tenderloin with Mushrooms and Sour Cream
Rich, flavorful, and fast. The sauce is rich, indulgent, and delicious, with sour cream, mustard, and sweet/sour capers.