This farmhouse pork and apple pie is a warm, hearty dish that brings together tender pork, sweet apples, and a perfectly flaky, golden crust. Each bite is a comforting combination of savory and sweet, ideal for a cozy dinner at home.
It’s the kind of dish that feels like a hug in a pie—perfect for chilly nights and family gatherings. You can easily adapt this recipe to your taste by swapping out the apples for pears or adding other fruits. Whether for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this pie will impress with its deliciously rich flavors and beautiful presentation.
Full Recipe:
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1 package (15 ounces) refrigerated pie crusts
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1 lb. boneless pork loin, cut into 1-inch cubes
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1 tablespoon vegetable oil
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1 medium onion, chopped
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2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
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2 tablespoons brown sugar
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1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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1/4 cup water
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1 tablespoon butter, cubed
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1 egg, beaten
Directions:
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Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
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Roll out one pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch pie plate. Set aside.
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Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork cubes and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the pork from the skillet and set it aside.
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In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
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Add the apples, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Return the cooked pork to the skillet and stir to combine. Add the water and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, until the apples are tender and the sauce has thickened.
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Pour the pork and apple mixture into the prepared pie crust. Dot the top with cubed butter.
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Roll out the second pie crust and place it over the filling. Trim the excess dough and crimp the edges to seal.
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Brush the top crust with the beaten egg.
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Cut slits in the top of the crust to allow steam to escape.
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Bake the pie for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour
Kcal: 350 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
Farmhouse Pork and Apple Pie: A Comforting Meal for the Whole Family
When it comes to combining the savory flavors of pork with the natural sweetness of apples, few dishes do it as well as the Farmhouse Pork and Apple Pie. This dish captures the essence of home-cooked comfort food, offering a hearty, flavorful meal perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner. The balance of tender pork, crisp apples, savory bacon, and the rich flavors of cider and sage creates a deep, satisfying taste. It’s not just a pie—it’s a complete meal, with layers of flavors that meld together beautifully as they bake in the oven.
Why Pork and Apples? A Classic Combination
Pork and apples have long been a celebrated pairing in cooking, particularly in European cuisine. The richness of pork, when combined with the light, tart sweetness of apples, creates a natural harmony. Apples cut through the fatty richness of the pork, making the dish feel more balanced and allowing the flavors to stand out. The addition of spices like nutmeg and sage further enhances the depth of the dish, bringing a warm, earthy note that is perfect for the cooler months.
What makes this recipe stand out is how it brings these classic ingredients together in a rustic, comforting pie form. The richness of the pork, combined with the sweetness of apples and the savory touch of bacon, is enveloped in a layer of mashed potatoes, adding a creamy and satisfying finish. The broiling step at the end of the recipe ensures the mashed potato topping becomes golden and slightly crispy, which contrasts nicely with the tender filling.
The Importance of Cooking Method
The key to this recipe’s success lies in the cooking method. Browning the pork before baking it allows for a richer flavor and a more succulent texture. The bacon, which is crisped in a skillet, adds a smoky, savory depth to the filling, which contrasts beautifully with the sweet apples. The apples release their juices as they cook, infusing the pork with sweetness, while the cider and water help to create a flavorful, almost gravy-like sauce.
Baking the mixture in the oven for two hours allows the flavors to meld together, making the pork tender and juicy. The mashed potato topping adds an extra layer of comfort, and broiling it at the end gives it a golden brown finish, ensuring each bite is both creamy and crisp.
A Hearty, Satisfying Meal
This farmhouse pie isn’t just a dish—it’s a full meal in itself. The pork and apple filling, with its savory and sweet flavors, pairs perfectly with the creamy mashed potatoes that crown the dish. This is comfort food at its finest, offering a delicious combination of textures and flavors. The richness of the pork is balanced by the lightness of the apples, and the creamy mashed potatoes add just the right amount of indulgence.
In addition to being a delicious dish, it’s also incredibly filling. One serving can easily satisfy a hungry family member, and the leftovers are just as tasty the next day. The combination of pork, apples, and potatoes makes it a complete meal, and the flavors only improve as they meld together during baking.
Perfect for Special Occasions or a Cozy Dinner
Whether you’re hosting a special family dinner or just looking for a hearty meal to warm you up on a chilly evening, the Farmhouse Pork and Apple Pie is sure to impress. It’s the kind of dish that feels homemade, bringing warmth and comfort to any table. The layers of flavors—pork, apples, bacon, cider, and creamy mashed potatoes—make it a unique and satisfying meal. It’s perfect for when you want something that feels both hearty and indulgent.
Not only does this pie make for a memorable dinner, but it’s also a great dish to serve for holidays or family gatherings. The rustic look of the pie, combined with its rich, comforting flavors, makes it an excellent option for special occasions when you want to serve something that feels both familiar and a little indulgent.
Customizing Your Farmhouse Pork and Apple Pie
While this recipe is already incredibly flavorful on its own, there are ways to personalize it to suit your preferences. For example, if you prefer a spicier kick, you can add some chopped fresh chili or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the pork mixture. If you’re not a fan of cider, you could substitute it with apple juice or even a dry white wine for a slightly different flavor profile. For a deeper, more savory flavor, adding some fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme can enhance the overall taste.
If you’re looking to lighten the dish up a bit, you could replace the mashed potatoes with a lighter mashed cauliflower topping. Alternatively, you could add a vegetable side dish, like roasted Brussels sprouts or a green salad, to balance the richness of the pie.
Nutrition Considerations and Serving Suggestions
While this pie is undeniably hearty and rich, it offers a good balance of proteins and carbs. A serving of this pie contains approximately 467 calories, with a moderate amount of fat and a good helping of protein from the pork and bacon. The apples provide some natural sugars, while the mashed potatoes offer a comforting carb component. For those looking to reduce fat intake, you could opt for leaner cuts of pork or use less butter in the mashed potatoes.
This dish pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes, such as a simple green salad or roasted vegetables. The richness of the pie makes it ideal for serving alongside something light and refreshing, helping to balance the overall meal.
Conclusion: A Classic Dish Worth Trying
In conclusion, the Farmhouse Pork and Apple Pie is a comforting, rustic meal that combines savory pork, sweet apples, smoky bacon, and creamy mashed potatoes into a satisfying, flavorful dish. Whether you’re preparing it for a special occasion or a cozy weeknight dinner, this recipe is sure to impress. The combination of ingredients, flavors, and textures makes it a unique and hearty meal that will have your family coming back for more. It’s an enduring classic that’s perfect for the fall and winter months, offering warmth, comfort, and delicious flavors in every bite.