Tender & Juicy Pumpkin Curried Pork Chops (Ready in 30 Minutes!)
Elevate your weeknight dinner with these Pumpkin Curried Pork Chops! Featuring a savory pumpkin sauce with smoked paprika and caramelized onions, these bone-in pork chops are tender, juicy, and packed with warm, spiced flavor.
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Growing up in Sri Lanka, we used pumpkin in some of the most delicious savory curries. So, when fall rolls around in Georgia, I can’t help but give my dinner recipes a little “Savory Spin” using one of my favorite autumn gourds.
These Pumpkin Curried Pork Chops are one of my all-time favorite “fusion” meals. In this dinner, pork chops are married with vibrant, spiced flavors of a Sri Lankan pumpkin curry. Plus, they are ready in under 30 minutes, which is a total win for those busy weeknights!
Why You’ll Love This Savory Pumpkin Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Less than 30 minutes from the pan to the plate.
- Unbelievably Juicy: The spiced pumpkin “sauce” creates a protective, flavorful “blanket” that keeps the pork from drying out.
- Warm & Spiced: We’re using a combination of curry powder and smoked paprika for a smoky, earthy depth.
- Family Friendly: It’s savory and aromatic without being “hot” spicy, so even the kids will love it!
What You’ll Need
- Bone-in Pork Chops: I love using Bone-in Chops because they stay incredibly juicy.
- Pumpkin Puree: Make sure it’s 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling!
- Curry Powder & Smoked Paprika: Our flavor powerhouses.
- Large Onion: Yellow or white works best here as they help the color of the pumpkin shine.
- Olive Oil & Water: For the perfect sauce consistency. Coconut milk or broth can be used instead of water for a thicker, tastier sauce.
- Salt and black pepper for taste.
How To Make Pumpkin Curried Pork Chops
- Caramelize: Sauté your chopped onion in olive oil over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes.
- Blend the Sauce: Pulse the pumpkin, spices, and sauteed onions in a food processor until smooth.
- Coat & Sear: Slather that delicious pumpkin mix onto both sides of your pork chops.
- Cook: Return them to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes per side (use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork to make sure it reaches 145°F). Then, garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley.
- The Dip (Optional): Mix the remaining pumpkin sauce with a splash of water in the hot pan to create a savory dipping sauce to serve on the side!
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Shashi’s Expert Tips:
- Sauté the onions over medium-high heat, stirring often, so they slightly caramelize. This adds so much flavor to this dish.
- Let your pork chops “rest” for 3-5 minutes after taking them off the heat. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is tender and succulent!
What to Serve with Curried Pork
To keep with the healthy theme, I love serving these alongside a veggie quinoa, roasted turnips, and a simple kale sambol.
For a filling meal, serve these with some butternut squash and some garlic asparagus.
Or, serve these with some yellow rice and a stir fry of vegetables.
More Savory Pumpkin Recipes to Try:
Pumpkin Cauliflower Curry (with Canned Pumpkin)
Coconut Pumpkin Pasta
Pumpkin Lentil Soup
Easy Pumpkin Chili Sauce with chicken
Easy Pumpkin Chutney Recipe
Thanks so much for stopping by. If you make this recipe, please let me know in the comments below what you think of it, or tag your creation on social media with @savoryspin or #savoryspin.
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Tender & Juicy Pumpkin Curried Pork Chops (Ready in 30 Minutes!)
Print Pin RateIngredients
- 2 Bone-in Pork Chops 1 package
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1/3 cup water
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp. Olive oil
Instructions
- Coat the bottom of a pan with olive oil and sit it over a medium flame.
- Add the chopped onion to it and let it cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, till barely caramelized.
- Then, add pumpkin puree, curry powder, smoked paprika and barely caramelized onion to a blender/food processor and pulse till well incorporated.
- Use this to coat both sides of the Pork Chops.
- Return the pork chops to the same pan that was used to caramelize the onions and let cook 4 to 5 minutes (according to package instructions).
- Flip and let cook another 4 to 5 minutes on the other side. Use a meat thermometer to make sure internal temp is 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, wipe off the pan and then add water and remaining Pumpkin Curry mix to the same pan, stir and let simmer for about 2-3 minutes and serve alongside the Pumpkin Curried Pork Chops as a dip (optional).
Notes
- Sauté the onions over medium-high heat, stirring often, so they slightly caramelize. This adds so much flavor to this dish.
- Let your pork chops “rest” for 3-5 minutes after taking them off the heat. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is tender and succulent!
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Enter your email and I’ll send you this recipe to you. Plus you’ll get new recipes from me every week!
Nutrition
Dear Shashi, what a flavorful dish for the fall. I would love to try this…I know my family would love it too. What a beautiful, hearty meal. xo, Catherine
Yum! Never thought to pair pumpkin with pork!
Happy Fall!
This is such a delicious, savory Fall meal! I can smell the yumminess from here!
This looks incredible! Have got to try it!
oh yum! looks amazing! you did a wonderful job!
Shashi, I got emotional reading your intro…I’m so sorry you had to go through that but I’m really glad not much was taken and you had some wonderful officers come to your assistance. As far as this gorgeous dish here, I love that you used pumpkin in a savory recipe and it looks so pretty and flavorful!
Oh. My. Gosh. Robbery the word itself is terrifying. But I loved reading the stroy. And what a beautiful looking droolicious Fall twist, Shashi. Absolute stunner.
Thanks so much Anu! xx
That must have been a terrible experience! These pork chops look delicious Shashi 🙂
Thankfully, time heals 🙂
Thanks Tandy
I’m seriously drooling over these pork chops! I must try asap!
Yes Yes Yes! Thanks Taylor 🙂
You’ve just reminded me that I haven’t had pork for far too long. It’s surprisingly difficult to find here. I’m so far behind on your blog – off to catch up now!
No worries Tara – I’ve been behind in blog catching up too – last month was crazy busy – but hope to eventually 🙂
Thanks so much btw!
My cousin had her house broken into and I just remember her saying how violated she felt (thankfully they weren’t home when it happened). And what wonderful policemen who comforted you (and your daughter!). On a happier note – these pork chops! I LOVE when pumpkin is used in savory dishes! The best!
Thanks so much for sharing your cousins’ story, Ashley – yes, it’s that feeling of violation that’s hard to get over – not the stuff taken. And, thanks for your sweet words – hope your week is off to a wonderful start.
Oh my sweet friend, I teared up reading this!! I hate that you had to go through something like this and am so grateful for police who comforted you.
And these pork chops are the perfect fall dish!
Awww – you are so sweet, thanks so much, Kristen, like the saying goes “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” right? 🙂
Fortunately, inspite of that horrible incident, God made sure there were some good people around. xx
I love the idea of using curried pumpkin puree to coat the pork chop…really unique and the pork chop looks excellent.
Thanks so much Angie!
EEEEK! My heart totally broke for you reading this Shashi! I know the feeling of your home being broke into because it happened to me. It feels like a total violation of your PERSONAL space. It’s a lot to take, especially if you were already going through a tough time! <3 You are such a strong woman, and I always find you so inspiring.. just so you know!! Anyways, Smithfield is THE BOMB (and I have a post for them coming up too!)! So you already know I am going to say I LOVE THESE CHOPS! Pumpkin curried pork chops!! SO UNIQUE! I bet these taste even more delicious than they look, girlfriend! Cheers, friend! xoxo
Oh no! I’m so so sorry that your place was broken into too, Cheyanne! It is the total violation of personal space that’s what got me – it’s not the stuff… and thank you, you know, you kinda rock my socks off too with your cheery posts, my sweet friend.
I cannot wait for your Smithfield post – but I need to head on over and check out your cinnamon cream cheese filled apple bread right now as I missed it yesterday!
Hope your day is wonderful xoxo
My last house was broken into and I remember feeling scared forever living there. I just felt so violated that someone had gone through my things and seen pictures of me. I eventually moved because it was just too much to handle and as someone who lives alone, I couldn’t live somewhere I didn’t feel safe.
I so agree Megan, my daughter and I moved shortly after that – even though we got notification that the perpetrators had been captured, some images are hard to un-see! I’m so sorry you went through this too, sending you a virtual hug…btw, I hope you are healing well.
How scary about the robbery Shashi. Thankfully I have not had that experience, but that happened a few years ago across the street. Our neighbors upper elementary school age girls came home to find a similar scene to the one you described. Very scary. Thankfully I was home and they were able to come here and call their parents etc. but scary stuff. I am so thankful you and your little one were not home for that intruder visit. You just never know. These pumpkin curry chops look amazingly delicious and I would love these for dinner. My mind is on all things pumpkin and I’d love to have it in a main dish! I can almost smell it from here! Have a super week! XO
Ohmygawsh, my heart hurts for those girls! God sent them an angel in you – so glad they had you to comfort them through such a traumatizing ordeal.
Thank you so much for your sweet words, my dear friend. I hope you have a wonderful week too xoxo
Loving the glistening look of these perfectly cooked pork chops with the fall flavors. Beautiful plate! Sharing! I am glad to hear that is was “stuff” taken as it is true all these things can be replaced.
You are indeed right, Bobbi! Thank so much! Hope you are well xx
Those look good and curried pumpkin with pork is something very exciting and new, to me. Beautiful work!
Thanks so very much Dan 🙂
I can’t imagine what you must have been feeling like when you realized someone went through your home. I’m sorry to hear you had to go through that.
Thank you so much for stopping by and your kind words, Tina.
Wow, I can’t imagine how jarring that must feel to have your home broken into. Fortunately, that’s never happened to us, but I can only imagine how it would make me feel…especially with a little one in the house now. Those cops sound like amazing people, though, and they definitely deserve recognition. Thanks for sharing! And also thanks for sharing this amazing recipe. I love me some good pork chops, and the addition of curry and pumpkin here sounds incredible! I’m sending my drone your way! 🙂 #client
Thank you so much, David!
Hey – live and learn, right? It was a long time ago and now my place is like Fort Knox – I once locked myself outside and tried to get in but couldn’t and somehow set the alarm off and the cops showed up to find me trying to jimmy a window – yup – I had some explaining to do – and I ended up having to call a locksmith who charged me extra cos of the type of deadbolt I had on! GAH!
PS. that drone better be bringing me some of your Cajun pulled pork!
I can’t quite imagine someone going through my home, taking what they wanted. I once had my car broken into and the stereo pinched (a stereo I’d worked away from home one Xmas & New Year to be able to afford) and was utterly devastated. If it had been my home I think I would have crumbled x
Janie x
Thanks so much for stopping by and your kind words, Janie. I had my car broken into too – no fun at all! xx
pumpkin curry is one of mf my favorite dishes! This looks really good!
Thanks so much Kristen
Good story, Shashi! Glad you had to deal with not that (probably a little stereotypical now) police attitude which is often depicted in books and movies. And these pork chops? Yes, please! Last year i tried the combo of pork and pumpkin so I know what you are saying here. Basically you’re saying you’d like to send this to me. Well, please don’t stop yourself 🙂
Thanks so much Ben, yes, those policemen were so kind, went above and beyond the call of duty – at least that’s my opinion.
Haha – ok, I’ll send you a pork chop if you send me some of your decadent marshmallows – deal? 🙂
I am totally in love with this recipe. It is so perfect for autumn! Full of comforting, warming flavours and so beautiful too.
Thanks so much for stopping by and your sweet comment, Georgina 🙂
I’m completely in love with this Fall twist!
Thanks so much Rachel!