These brined pork chops, cooked in the air fryer alongside green beans and finished with a mushroom-vermouth sauce, are incredibly flavorful and simple enough for a weeknight dinner. The combination feels restaurant-worthy, but takes minimal effort—make it tonight and enjoy every bite.
Brining the pork chops is optional but highly recommended. It takes a little extra time and very little effort, yet the results are worth it. A basic brine of salt, sugar, and water will work, but adding aromatics like thyme, garlic, and peppercorns boosts the flavor even more. Brining helps the pork chops stay juicy and prevents them from drying out during cooking.
Cooking the pork chops and green beans together in the air fryer is fast and efficient: both will cook evenly without much attention, leaving you free to prepare the mushroom-vermouth sauce on the stovetop.
When I wrote this recipe I planned to use sherry for the sauce, but the pantry only had vermouth, so I used it instead—and it was delicious. The recipe below uses dry vermouth, which you can swap for a dry sherry if you prefer.
Brined Air Fryer Pork Chops
Ingredients
- Green Beans
- 2 Thick Cut Pork Chops (6 to 8 oz each)
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup Kosher Salt
- 1 tsp Peppercorns
- 2 tbsp Honey or Sugar
- 2 Fresh Thyme Sprigs
- 3 crushed Garlic Cloves
- 5 oz sliced Cremini Mushrooms
- Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 2 chopped Garlic Cloves
- 1 tbsp chopped Shallot
- 1 cup Dry Vermouth can substitute dry Sherry
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
Instructions
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Bring half of the water to a boil with the salt, honey (or sugar), peppercorns, thyme, and crushed garlic, whisking until the salt and sweetener dissolve.
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Pour the hot brine into a container large enough for the pork chops and add the remaining water (or a mix of ice and water) to cool it. Make sure the brine is completely cool before adding the meat.
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Submerge the pork chops in the brine and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
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Rinse the chops thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels. Let them sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before cooking.
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Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
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Drizzle oil over the pork chops and green beans and arrange them in the air fryer basket. The green beans should be done in about 10 minutes; the pork chops will take about 20 minutes or until they reach your desired doneness.
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Allow the pork chops to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving to retain juices.
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While the pork cooks, heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the cremini mushrooms in a splash of olive oil until they brown, stirring frequently.
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Add 1 tablespoon of butter, the chopped shallot, and chopped garlic; cook until softened.
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Pour in the dry vermouth and simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated and the flavors concentrate.
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Stir in the heavy cream and continue cooking until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then spoon over the rested pork chops when serving.
Tried this recipe?
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