Crispy Breaded Pork Cutlets with Apple Cider Gravy

I've got the perfect cozy meal for you! Fry up a batch of these Crispy Breaded Pork Cutlets with Apple Cider Gravy and get ready to graciously accept all of the compliments coming your way.

Are you in the mood for another special meal idea for chilly nights? Try these Cranberry Braised Short Ribs! They are rich and balanced with a sweet-savory sauce.

Ingredients

The list isn't long, but this combination of ingredients yields a deeply flavorful sauce and tender fried cutlets. It's a perfect meal to use up cider and apples if you are lucky enough to be able to pick them locally.

Boneless Pork Chops: Either buy a whole pork loin and slice off chops yourself or buy chops that are about 1-inch thick. This is the ideal thickness to pound into a cutlet for breading.

All-Purpose Flour and an Egg: We'll use these to bread our pounded cutlets for a crisp coating and tender pork.

White and Black Pepper: If you've never tried white pepper, you're in for a treat. It's bright and fruity and compliments the sweet cider gravy so well. I find it in the regular supermarket as well as at my local Asian market. If you can't find it, substitute with black pepper.

Vegetable Oil: This is my preferred frying oil, but if you have a favorite you like to use then by all means work with that.

Apple Cider: Lucky us, we have a cider mill nearby that we can take advantage of in the fall. Fresh cider is key to a pan gravy that isn't too sweet. For this reason, I'd avoid substituting apple juice.

Apples: Use an apple variety that you'd bake with to avoid apple slices that break down too much in the pan sauce.

Thyme: I really love the way thyme pairs so well with both sweet and savory flavors and it's a perfect herb in this dish.

Beef Stock or Broth: Just a cup of broth makes a rich gravy with good savory depth.

Prepare the Pork Cutlets

Before you start, preheat your oven to 200F and place a sheet pan with a wire rack in it in the oven to warm. This will be the spot for the cutlets to stay warm and crisp as they come out of the frying pan.

Place one pork chop in between two sheets of plastic wrap. Pound the chop thin using the smooth side of a meat mallet. You are aiming for a cutlet that is about ½-inch thick. Remove the cutlet from the plastic wrap and season with salt and pepper. If desired, cut the meat in half for easier frying and serving.

I like to set up a breading station with the seasoned cutlets, egg wash, and the seasoned flour. My dad always did his breading in a paper sack, and this method reduces the sticky fingers and makes cleanup a little easier. Just add the flour, peppers, and salt to the bag and shake to mix. Add two tablespoons of water to a whisked egg for the egg wash.

Add one cutlet to the paper bag, twist the top to close it, and then give it a shake. Remove the flour-coated cutlet and then drop both sides into the egg wash. Allow any excess to drip off before returning the cutlet to the paper bag for another layer of flour.

Now your cutlet is ready for frying! I like to do one at a time so that the coating doesn't get wet and sticky. This breading method will yield a tender but crisp well-seasoned cutlet.

Frying the Pork Cutlets

Heat about ½-inch of vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. I love to use my trusty cast iron pan for this meal. When the oil is shimmering, add the cutlets by gently laying them in the oil away from you (this way any splashes won't come back and burn you). Fry for about 5-6 minutes per side, until golden brown.

As the cutlets come out of the oil, drain them well and then place them on the rack in the oven to keep warm. Try to space them out better than I did in this photo so that the steam from each cutlet doesn't soften the breading.

These tender cutlets are cooked to perfection, still moist inside with a flavorful and crisp breaded coating.

Making the Apple Cider Gravy

Drain all but about one tablespoon of the oil from the pan. I pour mine into an empty soup can. You are left with this toasted flour that is a great beginning of a roux that will help thicken and flavor the pan sauce or gravy. There are also little brown bits from the pork and breading that will add extra flavor.

Add in the cider and increase the heat to medium-high. Deglaze the pan by scraping all those brown bits and flour with a wooden spoon and cook the cider for about 5 minutes, until it is thickened and glossy.

Add in the apples, thyme, and beef stock or broth. Cook, stirring occasionally, on medium-high for 10-15 more minutes. The apple cider gravy will continue to reduce and the apples will soften.

Your apple cider gravy is ready when it is silky smooth, glossy, and thickened. There will be about a cup of sauce plus the softened apples. Remove the thyme stems and you are ready to serve.

Serving Pork Cutlets with Apple Cider Gravy

My favorite things to serve alongside these pork cutlets are mashed potatoes and simple steamed and buttered green beans. Add a cutlet to each plate and ladle over some gravy with the apples. Serve additional apple cider gravy on the side.

Make-Ahead Options

This meal does surprisingly well if you make it in advance. Once the cutlets come out of the frying pan, drain them and allow them to cool. Wrap them in foil and refrigerate until you are ready to reheat them.

Preheat the oven to 375F and use the same rack over a sheet pan. Place the cutlets over the rack and heat for about 20 minutes to re-crisp them and heat them through.

Move the apple cider gravy to a microwaveable bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Before serving, heat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, pausing halfway to stir the gravy.

Make It Kid Friendly!

The sweet Apple Cider Gravy goes a long way in enticing the kids to give this dish a try. I find that one of my kiddos objects to the texture of the apples so it's easy to scoop only the sauce and leave them off. If the gravy is a no-go altogether, these pork cutlets will taste a lot like a chicken nugget to most kids. Simply serve them up with their favorite sauce!

Try It and Share

These Crispy Breaded Pork Cutlets with Apple Cider Gravy are sure to be a hit with your family. I want to see your results! Tag your photo with #planeatpostrepeat and mention me @planeatpostrepeat on Instagram or Facebook. I can give you a virtual high five and thank you for cooking one of my recipes! Comment below with any questions and please leave a review so others can find this recipe more easily.

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