The juiciest pork chops are smothered in onions and served over a rich cauliflower cream. This recipe is a dinner that always wows and is ready in 30 minutes! Restaurant-worthy but easy to make. The first time I made these Braised Pork Chops was during my last Whole30Recipes takeover on Instagram. I wish back then I had taken more photos of the dish because these pork chops with a creamy cauliflower side were a huge hit! This time around, on my 4th takeover I’m coming prepared!
Why This Recipe Rocks
Thick-cut pork chops are lean meat that cooks up well in a braised fashion. Braising them ensures that they cook up juicy and tender. The cauliflower is whipped up while hot with egg yolks that cook in and create a savory custard consistency. Then sauteed onions and pan sauce and pilled on top! Are you drooling yet?
About The Ingredients
- I use thick-cut pork chops, lightly spiced and seared. Then braised with a vinegar and broth combo for tender, flavorful meat! Opt for nice, 2 inches-thick, boneless pork chops from your butcher. Cook with the fat on, it’s easier to trim off after if it’s not your thing. Spiced and seared these braised pork chops are anything but boring or dry!
- Bone broth simmered cauliflower blended to silky perfection with whole raw cashews and mayo. Trust me on this. It makes for a rich cream that is oh-so-satisfying while adding sating fats to your meal. I use THIS mayo recipe.
- Sweet and tender sauteed onions and spoonfuls of the reduced pan sauce. This meal checks all the boxes and you will be surprised at how fast it comes together!
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Braised Pork Chops with Cauliflower Cream
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Entree
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: Whole30
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A deliciously easy yet decadent weeknight meal!
Ingredients
Pork Chops
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil, divided
- 1 large vidalia onion, sliced
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 thick cut, boneless pork chops
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoons ground mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoons 5-spice
- 1 cup bone broth
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
For the Cauli-Cream
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 cups small diced cauliflower
- 1/2 cup broth
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/4 cup avocado oil mayo or 2 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup raw whole cashews (or 1/4 cup coconut cream)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add in 2 tablespoons avocado oil, sliced onions and a bay leaf. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Cover and cook here, stirring occasionally until tender, about 8 minutes.
- In the meantime, start the mash. Heat 1 tablespoon avocado in a small sauce pot. Add in the garlic and cauliflower, stir until the garlic starts to smell toasty.
- Add in the salt and bone broth. Cover and cook here 5 minutes.
- Season the pork chops evenly all over with the salt, 5 spice and mustard.
- When the onions are done, remove them from the skillet. Add in a little more oil and set the skillet back over medium heat, do not clean it.
- Add the pork chops to the skillet so they aren’t touching. Cook here, with the lid on, 5 minutes per side.
- While these cook, take the lid off of the cauliflower and let the broth reduce by half. Then transfer everything to a blender, add in the mayo and cashews (or egg yolks and coconut cream) and blend until smooth. Set aside.
- By now the pork chops are properly seared. Open the lid and add in the cup of broth and the red wine vinegar. Close the lid and cook for 5 minutes.
- Remove the pork chops from the skillet and set them on a board to rest. Bring the heat up to high on the skillet and reduce the sauce by half.
- Trim the fat off the pork chops then slice in thin, even slices with a sharp knife.
- Spread the cauliflower cream on the bottom of two bowls.
- Add the sliced pork chops and top with sauteed onions.
- Take the skillet off the heat and pour or spoon the reduced pan sauce over the onions.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 recipe
- Calories: 606
- Fat: 43g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 33g
Caitriona O'Shaughnessy says
Hello, can’t wait to try this recipe! Is there something I can substitute for 5-spice? It’s not something I typically use, and I’m trying not to buy spices I won’t use regularly
Cristina Curp, FNTP says
You can use a pinch of nutmeg
Sarah in CA says
In the recipe description you mentions an egg mixed in with the hot cauliflower. When I read the recipe it lists mayo and cashews rather than the egg. I am wondering which it is an egg or mayo and nuts. I would rather the egg since we can not eat any nuts. The pork chops are wonderful and a keeper recipe.
Cristina Curp, FNTP says
Originally I used egg yolks and cashew cream, but ppl were complaining about making the cashew cream so I tweaked the recipe. You can just add 2-3 large egg yolks to the blender while the hot cauliflower purees and a little coconut cream. Will turn out lovely.
Samanthia Corcoran says
What substitute would you make to have this AIP compliant?
JOYCE L MADRIGAL says
MY HUSBAND LOVES THIS RECIPE!!
HE IS IN THE HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE THE CAULIFLOWER MASH AS I HAVE A HEAD OF CAULIFLOWER IN MY FRIDGE.
CAN IT BE MADE AHEAD AND FROZE?
THANK YOU!
Cristina says
Yes you can freeze it.
Alicia Rodriguez says
We made this for the first time, gosh probably close to a year ago now, and it is still one of my all time favorites. It seems like a lot of steps but it really goes pretty quickly and my kids love this one. Definitely staying in our rotation.
Cristina says
Yeayyy thanks so much Alicia
Erica says
This recipe is SO GOOD. My favorite way to make cauli-mash, and the flavors on the pork chop are so savory. Making again tonight for dinner and my mouth is already watering.
Cristina says
Thank you Erica!
Molly Mills says
Hi Christina! Ive made this recipe before and me, my husband, and my 16 month old all loved it! I am planning on making it again this weekend, but when i went shopping i could only find pork belly. I know it will take longer to braise, but do you think it would be an ok replaCement?
Cristina says
pork belly I would serve it crispy over the mash. Season it, slice it up and fry it like bacon. You can reduce the braising liquid in a sauce pot and just pour it over like sauce!
Hillary says
I made this for dinner last night and it was amazing! So easy too. i’ve never cooked with five spice before but i’m definitely going to start using it more since the flavor was awesome! I served it with some sauteed shaved brussels sprouts and had dinner on the table in just over 30 minutes! Unfortunately I wasn’t able to give this five stars (I tried in Chrome and Firefox but it won’t let me click the fifth Star) but it definitely is a five star recipe!!!
REbecca says
This recipe is amazing! Its Super simple but looks so impressive. 10/10 i will keep this recipe in my regular rotation!
Cristina says
Yeayyy! Thank you!!!
Kris says
**This was easy & delicious! Family declared “VERY tasty”**
Cristina says
whoot whoot!
Vicki barron says
Thanks. Will give it a try.
Vicki barron says
Hi. Have tried several of Your recipEs and love them. Heres my question—-i only have a cell phone. Is there anyway to print your recipes from a cell phone without the ads and other stuff that covers the screen? I Have to take four or five screen shots just to get one recipe. I know i could clean this up before printing if i had a computer but i dont. I know you have a book coming out in July with all new recipes but is there a way to get the “old” recipes For those of us without computers.
Cristina says
Hi Vicki! Thank you!!! Not sure why the mobile version doesn’t have the ‘PRINT” button on the recipe box. My suggestion is to copy and paste the recipe text into your NOTES then print from there 🙂
Jana says
I made this On the second night of my whole30 and it’s amazing! It really made me believe i can do this! Can’t wait to try your other recipes and get your book.
Cristina says
Thank you so much Jana!!!
Brittney says
Is it ok to use frozen cauliflower?
Cristina says
Yes!
Karen DuCharme says
2 questiOns:
1. Can i half this recipe? (Cookjng for just me)?
2. MaYo link said “above”, where? Couldnt find it.
Cant wait to try this!
Cristina says
Hi! Yes of course! and I added it to the recipe notes 🙂