Smoky Maple Pork Chops Cobb Salad
September 7, 2025 • 0 comments
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Servings: 4 (easily scalable!)
Ingredients
- For the Pork Chops:
- (2 chops) Smoked Pork Chops
- 1 tbsp of olive oil
- 1 tbsp of pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp of Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp of freshly ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
- For the Cobb Salad:
- 6 cups of mixed salad greens (romaine, spinach, or a blend)
- 2 farm-fresh hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ½ cup of corn kernels (grilled or steamed)
- ½ cup of cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup of red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup of crumbled or shredded cheese (traditional feta/sheep feta, or goat cheese)
- For the Dressing:
- 3 tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
- 1 tsp of Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp of pure maple syrup
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
- Cook the pork chops: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon, pepper, and salt. Brush the mixture over both sides of the smoked pork chops. Grill or pan-sear the pork for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until the glaze caramelizes. Then you can just set the chops aside to rest while you prep the rest of the salad.
- Prep the salad ingredients: As the pork rests, prepare your salad ingredients by washing and drying the greens. Halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the avocado, grill or steam the corn, dice the cucumber, and thinly slice the onion. Quarter the hard-boiled eggs and crumble or shred any cheese of your choosing.
- Make the dressing: Whisk all dressing ingredients together in a small bowl or jar until smooth and well blended.
- Assemble the salad: Arrange your greens on a large platter or individual plates. Next, top with tomatoes, avocado, corn, cucumber, eggs, onion, and cheese, arranged in a traditional Cobb salad fashion. Then, slice the rested pork chops and layer them over the salad.
- Dress and serve: Drizzle the maple-Dijon dressing over the salad and serve.
Complementary Side:
- Crusty sourdough (for scooping up bites!)
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use regular pork chops instead of smoked?
For sure! Just grill them with a pinch of smoked paprika or a quick dash of liquid smoke in the glaze to mimic that smoky flavour.
What cheese works best in this salad?
Goat cheese, traditional feta, or sheep feta all add creaminess and tang. Choose based on your preference!
Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes! Store the dressing separately and add the avocado right before serving to keep it fresh.
Can I cook the pork chops in the oven or air fryer instead of grilling?
Yes! If you don’t have a grill or prefer to cook indoors, both the oven and air fryer work great for this recipe.
Oven method: Preheat to 400°F (200°C). Brush the pork chops with the olive oil and maple-Dijon glaze, then bake on a lined sheet for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Finish with a quick broil for some caramelization if you like. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Air fryer method: Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Glaze the chops and place them in a single layer in the basket. Air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway. As always, make sure the internal temp hits 145°F (63°C) before serving.
Is this salad good for picky eaters?
It can be! One of the best things about a Cobb salad is how customizable it is. If you’re serving picky eaters, you can easily lay out the ingredients separately and let everyone build their own bowl. That way, folks can skip what they don’t like and load up on what they do. You can also swap ingredients to suit different tastes - use a milder cheese, leave out the dressing until serving, or switch the pork for chicken or even plain grilled meat. It’s a great “assemble-your-own” meal that still feels fresh and balanced.
