One-Pan Pork Chops with Plums and Thyme

By
Chef Natalie Marble
-
One-Pan Pork Chops with Plums and Thyme

Happy September! As the busy back-to-school season kicks in, finding quick and delicious weeknight meals becomes essential. These One-Pan Pork Chops with Plums and Thyme are the perfect solution for hectic evenings when you still want to serve something flavorful and wholesome. Juicy pork chops, paired with sweet, caramelized plums and fresh thyme, create a balanced, seasonal dish that feels gourmet without the effort.

Best of all, it’s a one-pan wonder — meaning less time spent cleaning up and more time with the family. This recipe is ideal for those rushed school nights when you need something fast, yet satisfying.

I hope you try it!

Pork Chops with Plums and Thyme

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 tbsp avocado oil

2 tbsp unsalted butter

4 bone-in thick pork chops

3 plums

1 red onion

1 tbsp olive or avocado oil

2 garlic cloves

4-5 sprigs fresh thyme

Kosher salt and black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit and place the oven rack in the upper â…“ of the oven.
  2. Cut the plums in half and remove the pit. Cut each half into 4 thick wedges and place them in a bowl.
  3. Remove the outer skin of the onion and cut into ½-inch rings. Add the rings to the plums and toss them with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a large pinch of salt and pepper.
  4. Heat up a large cast iron skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat.
  5. Season the pork chops, generously, on both sides, with salt and pepper.
  6. Add the avocado oil to the pan, along with the butter, and let it heat up for a minute.
  7. Add the pork chops, and let them cook, undisturbed, for about 3-4 minutes.
  8. When they are golden brown, flip them over and add the plum-onion mixture to the pan, along with the garlic cloves and thyme sprigs.
  9. Transfer the whole pan to the oven and cook for about 5 minutes.
  10. After 5 minutes, the pork chops should be done. You can check this with a meat thermometer – they should be 145 degrees.
  11. Remove them to a plate and set them aside.  Then, turn the oven up to broil and cook for another few minutes or until everything is a little charred and caramelized.
  12. Remove the pan from the oven and add the pork chops back to the pan and serve.  ENJOY!

NOTES:

  • Feel free to substitute nectarines or peaches for the plums.
  • Please be aware that cook time for the pork chops will vary depending on the thickness of your chops.

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Hello, I’m Natalie!  I’m a professionally-trained chef, culinary instructor and recipe developer living in Ann Arbor.  A career change, a trip through culinary school 20 years ago, and being a lifelong Julia Child enthusiast has led me to a career doing my very favorite thing:  making food and cooking approachable to home cooks of all ages!   

My passion for creating great food experiences and getting people excited about learning and having fun in the kitchen is always at the heart of what I do.  You can find me at NatalieMarbleCooks.com.  And on social media you can find me at @NatalieMarbleCooks.  Sign up for my bi-weekly email newsletter here, where I share family-friendly recipes, tips & tricks, new class information, and hopefully a little inspiration!

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