Iowa Thick-Cut Pork Chops with Apple Cider Glaze

Iowa is the nation's leading pork producer, and the thick-cut Iowa chop — a bone-in loin chop cut 4–5cm (1 1/2–2 inches) thick — is the state's proudest table achievement. Reverse-seared and finished with a tart-sweet apple cider glaze, this preparation honors Iowa's dual heritage of pork production and apple orcharding.

Serves: 4

Ingredients

Pork Chops

• 4 bone-in Iowa pork loin chops, 4–5cm (1 1/2–2 inches) thick (about 340g / 12 oz each)
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp neutral oil

Apple Cider Glaze

• 480ml (2 cups) fresh apple cider
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• 30g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Pat chops dry and season all over with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
2. For the glaze, combine cider, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, and thyme in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer vigorously for 18–22 minutes until reduced to about 120ml (1/2 cup) and lightly syrupy. Remove thyme, swirl in butter, and season with salt. Set aside.
3. Preheat oven to 135°C (275°F). Place chops on a wire rack over a baking sheet and roast for 25–35 minutes until an instant-read thermometer reads 52°C (125°F) at the thickest point.
4. Heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat until smoking. Add oil. Sear chops 2 minutes per side and on the fat cap for 1 minute until deeply browned.
5. Brush generously with apple cider glaze and grill or sear for 30 seconds more to set the glaze. Rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before serving.
6. Serve with additional warm glaze drizzled over the top and roasted root vegetables alongside.

Cook's Notes: The reverse-sear method prevents the gray ring common with direct high-heat cooking and ensures edge-to-edge even doneness. Choose chops with good marbling and a generous fat cap — ask your butcher to cut them specifically to thickness.