Blackened Pork Chops with Sweet Potato Wedges and Apple-Cranberry Brussels Sprouts

These blackened pork chops bring together a savory spice rub with just enough sugar to help the outside brown beautifully in the pan.

On the side, roasted sweet potato wedges add comfort, while shredded Brussels sprouts cook quickly with tart apple, dried cranberries, lemon zest, and lemon juice for a bright, slightly sweet hash.

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Ingredients

12 ounce Boneless Pork ChopsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

12 ounce Sweet PotatoesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 ounce Dried CranberriesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Granny Smith AppleView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Blackening SpiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

8 ounce Brussels SproutsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

unit SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

unit PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry all produce. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Halve the sweet potato, then cut it into 1/2-inch-thick wedges. Place the wedges on a baking sheet and toss with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast the sweet potato wedges until lightly browned and tender, 20 to 25 minutes, tossing halfway through.
4. While the sweet potatoes roast, trim the Brussels sprouts. Halve them lengthwise, then thinly slice into shreds.
5. Peel, core, and dice the Granny Smith apple. Zest the lemon, then halve it.
6. In a shallow dish, stir together the blackening spice and sugar.
7. Season the pork chops all over with salt and pepper. Add them to the dish with the spice-sugar mixture and turn to coat evenly. You may not need every bit of the rub.
8. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and cook until browned and cooked to your preferred doneness, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
9. Transfer the pork chops to a plate and let them rest for 5 minutes.
10. While the pork rests, heat another drizzle of olive oil in the same pan over medium heat. Add the shredded Brussels sprouts and diced apple.
11. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the Brussels sprouts are browned and the apple is tender, 5 to 6 minutes.
12. Stir in the dried cranberries, a pinch of lemon zest, and a squeeze of lemon juice to taste. Season the hash with salt and pepper.
13. Thinly slice the pork chops against the grain. Divide the pork, roasted sweet potato wedges, and Brussels sprout-apple hash between plates and serve.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Baking sheet

GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set, 3 Pack Includes Small (13×9) Medium (15×1) and Large (17×11) Pans Carbon Steel Construction Cookie Sheets Bakeware Set, GrayView on AmazonNutriChef 3-Piece Nonstick Kitchen Oven Baking Pans - Premium & Stylish Non-Stick Steel, Commercial Grade Restaurant Quality Metal Bakeware with Red Silicone Handles - Easy to Clean, NCSBS3SView on AmazonNordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet - USA Made Aluminum Commercial Quality Sheet Pan for Baking or Roasting, Encapsulated Galvanized Steel Rim Prevents Warping, 2-PackView on Amazon

Peeler

OXO Good Grips Swivel PeelerView on AmazonSpring Chef Premium Swivel Vegetable Peeler, Soft Grip Handle and Ultra Sharp Stainless Steel Blades - Perfect Kitchen Peeler For Veggie, Fruit, Potato, Carrot, Apple - BlackView on AmazonFUHUY Vegetable, Apple Peelers for kitchen, Fruit, Carrot, Veggie, Potatoes Peeler, Y-Shaped and I-Shaped Stainless Steel Peelers, with Ergonomic Non-Slip Handle & Sharp Blade, Good Sturdy (2PCS)View on Amazon

Zester

Deiss PRO Lemon Zester & Heavy Duty Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater - Parmesan Cheese Lemon, Garlic, Nutmeg, Chocolate, Fruits, Vegetables, Ginger Grater - Cheese Shredder & Stainless Steel GraterView on AmazonMicroplane Premium Classic Series Zester 18/8, Black - Lemon Zester & Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater - Citrus, Parmesan Cheese, Garlic, Ginger, Nutmeg, Chocolate - Stainless Steel GraterView on AmazonOXO Good Grips Etched Zester and GraterView on Amazon

Shallow dish

AmazonShop popular Shallow dish on AmazonView on Amazon

Large pan

SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on AmazonSNOWCLAD Frying Pans Nonstick with Lid,Hybrid Non Stick 5 Quart Saute pan,PFOA Free Cookware,Stainless Steel skillet,12 inch Deep Saute Pan,Dishwasher&Oven Safe,Works on All CooktopsView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use the same pan for the pork and the Brussels sprout hash?

Yes. The recipe cooks the hash in the same pan after the pork rests, which adds extra flavor from the browned bits left behind.

Do I have to peel the apple?

The method calls for peeling, coring, and dicing the apple before cooking it with the Brussels sprouts.

How thick should I cut the sweet potato wedges?

Cut the sweet potato into wedges about 1/2 inch thick so they roast until lightly browned in 20 to 25 minutes.

What does the sugar do in the pork rub?

The sugar mixes with the blackening spice and helps create a browned, flavorful coating as the pork sears.