10 Best Pork Chop Recipes - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

See my guide on how to use an Instant Pot.

Looking for new ways to cook pork chops? Baked, pan fried, grilled pork chops and more, these are the best pork chop recipes to make for dinner!

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How to Cook Pork Chops

My family loves pork chops for dinner, and over the years I’ve created a pork chop recipe for every craving. Whether you want to cook your pork chops on the stove, in the oven, on the grill, or in the air fryer, Instant Pot or crock pot, I’ve got you covered with these easy pork chop recipes!

Pork chops are a versatile, family-friendly dinner idea. Cook them the right way and they’ll turn out juicy and flavorful, every time.

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Pork Chop Recipes

Baked Pork Chops

Pork chop recipes don’t get any easier than these baked pork chops! The pork chops are seasoned with a flavorful spice rub and then baked in the oven until perfectly juicy. You’re going to want to make these again and again.

Smothered Pork Chops

When it’s comfort food you’re craving, these smothered pork chops are sure to satisfy. Bone in pork chops are browned in a skillet and smothered in a creamy mushroom sauce. There’s so much to love about this indulgent pork chop recipe.

Pan Fried Pork Chops

Simple yet satisfying, these pan fried pork chops are cooked in a skillet for that crave-worthy flavorful browned crust. They’re finished with a simple pan sauce made from butter and fresh thyme. These pork chops are perfect for a weeknight dinner and so good served with mashed potatoes.

Grilled Pork Chops

Just look at those flavorful grill marks! These grilled pork chops are incredibly juicy, and so flavorful thanks to the best marinade. You’ll want to make this pork chops recipe all summer long!

Pork Chop Marinade

No list of pork chop recipes would be complete without a go-to pork chop marinade. This simple marinade infuses pork chops with incredible flavor. It’s made with just six ingredients and can be used to marinate pork chops for grilling, baking or air frying.

Air Fryer Pork Chops

If it’s healthy pork chop recipes that you’re looking for, then these easy air fryer pork chops are for you. They’re juicy inside, deliciously seasoned on the outside, basically pork chop perfection! Serve them with a few healthy sides like this kale salad and devour!

Crock Pot Pork Chops

These slow cooker pork chops are a lifesaver on busy days! There’s nothing better than getting dinner prepped early in the day and then letting the crockpot do the rest of the work. These tender pork chops are cooked in a rich and flavorful mushroom gravy. You’re going to want to make this pork chop recipe on repeat!

Stuffed Pork Chops

This is a secretly easy meal that’s sure to impress. Boneless (or bone in) pork chops are stuffed with a flavorful breadcrumb stuffing made with apple, onion, celery and fresh herbs. While this recipe exudes fall flavor vibes, it’s so good that we make it year-round. Add them to your list of pork chop recipes to make this week!

Instant Pot Pork Chops

A quick cook time, juicy pork chops, sweet and savory honey garlic sauce… this pork chop recipe has it all. These Instant Pot honey garlic pork chops are sure to be met with rave reviews around your dinner table. As one reviewer commented, “Sauce was incredible!” It’s no secret that Instant Pot recipes are some of my favorites for getting quick meals on our table, and this pork chop recipe is one of the best.

Breaded Pork Chops

One of the best pork chop recipes for a quick and easy dinner, these breaded pork chops are coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and then baked in the oven. Keep this recipe in your back pocket for busy days!

Pan Seared Pork Chops

Ready in less than 30 minutes, pan seared pork chops are a tasty answer to the “What’s for dinner?” question. These chops are served with a honey mustard sauce that’s so good you’ll want to eat it with a spoon! Serve green beans and roasted potatoes on the side for an easy, healthy dinner.

How to Make Juicy Pork Chops

Follow these tips to ensure that your pork chops turn out incredibly juicy and tender, every time.

  • Choose thick-cut pork chops whenever possible. They’ll be less likely to dry out when cooking.
  • Bone-in pork chop recipes vs. boneless pork chop recipes: Follow the tips in the recipe you’re making. As a general rule, bone-in pork chops will be more juicy than boneless because the bone helps to keep the meat from drying out. Boneless pork chops cook more quickly.
  • Don’t overcook them! Overcooking pork chops is a sure-fire way to dry them out. How long to cook pork chops is going to depend on your cooking method and the thickness of the pork chops.
  • Use an instant read thermometer to check when pork chops are done. The internal temperature of pork chops should be 145 degrees F after cooking, according to the USDA.
  • Let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat; otherwise the juices will run out all over the plate or cutting board.
  • Use a pork chop marinade or pork rub to add flavor.

Once you’ve mastered these pork chop recipes, try out other cuts of pork for dinner with these delicious Pork Recipes.

10 Best Pork Chop Recipes - Kristine's Kitchen (13)

Best Juicy Pork Chop Recipes

Servings: 2 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

The best pork chop recipes, including these pan fried pork chops. How to cook pork chops that are juicy and flavorful.

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Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 bone-in pork chops, at least 1-inch thick, see note for boneless
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, stir together the salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and cayenne.

  • Place the flour in a wide, shallow dish.

  • Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet, such as a cast iron skillet, over medium-high heat.

  • Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Rub the seasoning mixture over the pork chops. Coat pork chops in the flour and add them to the hot pan. (Cook in batches or use two pans if they won't all fit in the pan at once.)

  • Cook the pork chops for 2 minutes on each side to get a nice golden brown sear. Then reduce the heat to medium, flip and continue cooking for 5-10 more minutes per side, or until the pork chops register 145° F in the center when measured with an instant read thermometer. Be careful to not overcook them as this will dry them out. (If your pork chops are thin they will likely cook in less than 5 minutes per side.)

  • When the pork chops are almost cooked through, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and the fresh thyme to the pan. Allow the butter to melt. Remove the pan from the heat. Spoon the butter and thyme sauce over the pork chops.

  • Let pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Two large bone-in pork chops will provide 2 large servings or 4 smaller servings. You can use 4 pork chops to serve more people. You may need to cook them in two batches if they won’t all fit in the pan.
  • To use boneless pork chops, keep a close watch on them so that they don’t overcook and dry out since boneless chops cook faster. Using thick cut pork chops (at least 1-inch thick) also helps to prevent them from drying out.

Serving: 1pork chop, Calories: 538kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 38g, Fat: 34g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 14g, Cholesterol: 147mg, Sodium: 1260mg, Potassium: 668mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 0.3g, Vitamin A: 955IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 51mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is an estimate.

Cuisine: American

Course: Main Course

Tried this recipe?Mention @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or tag #kristineskitchenblog.

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10 Best Pork Chop Recipes - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to cook pork chops without them drying out? ›

High-heat frying sears them to a golden brown; and a moderately hot oven (400 degrees F) bakes the pork chops gently enough to keep them from drying out. This "sear-roasting" method is a great way to cook pork chops in the oven: Fry one side to golden brown, then flip, and place the chops directly in the oven.

What is the most flavorful pork chop? ›

Bone-in: I much prefer bone-in pork chops (specifically, rib chops or loin chops) because they have the most flavor. But if you prefer the leaner boneless pork chops, those will work too. Just be extra-careful not to overcook them.

Does soaking pork chops in salt water make them tender? ›

A brine is essentially just salt and water. It helps prevent moisture loss during cooking, and the salt also helps tenderize the meat from the inside out. If you want an extra juicy piece of pork, brine it before cooking. You can make an effective brine just with salt and water, but additional seasonings do help.

Is it better to bake or pan fry pork chops? ›

While there are a number of ways to cook pork chops for dinner, baking is arguably the easiest path to perfection. The hands-off cooking method cooks pork chops gently and evenly without the need for extra fat, resulting in juicy, healthier pork chops that pair well with practically any side dish.

Why do you rinse pork chops before cooking? ›

We call this cross-contamination. While washing meat and poultry to remove dirt, slime, fat or blood may have been appropriate decades ago when many slaughtered and prepared their own food, the modern food safety system doesn't require it.

Should I cover pork chops when baking? ›

We ask you to cover the pork with foil or parchment during baking. By gently cooking the chops this way, they remain juicy and become tender.

What makes pork chops better? ›

Brining pork chops is one of the best ways way to guarantee a juicy cooked pork chop. Even a quick 30-minute brine (or up to four hours) makes a big difference. It's not strictly necessary — you can still use this method to make great pork chops even without brining — but if you have some extra time, I recommend it.

How to best cook pork chops? ›

When you're frying thin pork chops over medium-high to high heat, 2 to 3 minutes per side is just right for browning and cooking them all the way through. For thicker chops, brown on both sides then check the internal temperature with a digital thermometer. It will take 5 to 6 minutes per side to completely cook them.

What makes pork taste better? ›

Consider Brining

While a simple brine of water and salt will do the trick, you can also use the brining stage to impart extra flavor with sugar and seasonings. Just be careful not to brine too long (two to four hours should do the trick) and rinse the pork before cooking.

How do you get the most flavor out of pork chops? ›

Like steak or chicken, pork also needs a lot of salt to bring out all the flavor. If you really want to be fancy, you can brine the pork chops in some salt water (season it with other stuff like whole peppercorns and bay leaves). 2. COOK 'EM KINDA LOW AND KINDA SLOW.

What goes with pork chops for dinner? ›

Try serving pork chops alongside something sweet, like homemade applesauce or apple-cranberry stuffing. Plus, you can always switch things up by serving your pork chops with something bright and zesty like the lemon roasted asparagus.

How do you make pork soft and tender? ›

Using a brine or a marinade will make your life so much easier. If you're not confident in your cooking skills, there is one foolproof way to guarantee your pork ends up on the tender side, even if you cook it too long: Soak it in a brine or a marinade.

How do you keep pork chops from getting tough? ›

Try a Marinade or Brine. A marinade or brine can introduce more moisture or lots of flavor into your meat before you cook it. A marinade is a sauce that introduces extra flavor to your pork, depending on the aromatics or herbs you choose to include. A brine pulls more moisture into the meat, which keeps your pork juicy ...

Do pork chops get more tender the longer you cook them? ›

Overcooked Pork Chops Are Tough

When they're cooked for even a few minutes too long, whether it's in the oven or on the stovetop or grill, they're quick to dry out, and — you guessed it — become tough, chewy, and less than appealing. This is partly due to carry-over cooking.

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