What Kind Of Pork Chops Should I Use
When it comes to baking pork chops, the thicker, the better. Pork is easy to overcook, and when that happens, the results are less than ideal.
To prevent overcooking, choose pork chops that are at least 1-inch thick.
If you can buy bone-in chops, do it! The bone helps reduce the chance of overcooking, and personally, I think the result tastes better than boneless pork chops.
When Are The Pork Chops Done
Youll know these oven baked pork chops are good to go when they reach an internal temperature of 145 °F. As mentioned above, this usually takes about 25-30 minutes in the oven but for fool-proof cooking, check them at the 20 minute mark with a digital instant-read thermometer to know for sure. All ovens are different so they make take a little less time or a little more depending on the brand of oven.
What Seasonings Are Best For Pork Chops
Similar to chicken breast, pork is mild in flavor, so you have lots of options for adding flavor. Here are a few suggestions:
- Keep it simple and use salt, pepper, a fresh herb like thyme, and lemon wedges scattered around the pan. This is what weve done in our photos, and the recipe shared below.
- For chili powder based seasoning, we love using a combination of ancho or our homemade chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Combine one teaspoon of everything listed, except use only 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
- We love using a blend of brown sugar, grated lemon zest, and smoked paprika for a sweet citrus rub. Use one tablespoon brown sugar, one teaspoon lemon zest, and 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika.
- A combination of fresh herbs, Dijon mustard, and lemon is classic.
- Italian seasoning, Zaatar seasoning, and taco seasoning are also excellent.
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Herb Lemon Baked Pork Chops
These herb and lemon baked pork chops are perfect for a spring or summer dinner.
The freshness of the lemon and herbs leaves you feeling light and airy. Bonus points if you use hand-picked herbs from your garden.
Serve this dish on a bed of rice nestled next to a side of veggies, and youve got yourself a healthy, light meal with a burst of citrusy flavor in every bite.
What Are Pork Loin Chops
Pork loin chops are primarily white meat of the pig. Meaning less fat than the darker meat youd find in shoulder chops or country style ribs. This means you need to keep a close eye to make sure it doesnt dry out. The dark meat chops you can normally find less expensively at the store can handle a longer cooking time or braising. Start with an extra five minutes in the oven then check for doneness.
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How Do You Make Baked Pork Chops
This recipe starts with bone-in pork chops, which are seared in a little olive oil until golden brown. Remove the chops from the pan, then add the sauce ingredients which include butter, garlic, brown sugar and seasonings. Return the pork chops to the pan and spoon the sauce over the top. Bake the pork chops until theyre cooked through, then serve and enjoy.
Cut Pork Chops From Pork Loin
This recipe is made with boneless pork chops. In order to be economical, I bought a half pork loin and sliced it into pork loin chops. Not only was this way cheaper than buying pre-cut chops, but it also allows me to cut thick pork chops, which will help them stay juicy in the oven.
Can you use bone-in chops? Yes. Theyll bake similarly. You can use any pork chop cut youd like, just make sure it is at least 1-inch thick.
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How To Make Baked Pork Chops
While grilling pork chops is definitely one of the most common ways to cook pork, there’s another way that does not involve dealing with the grill: the oven.
All you need? An oven and a baking sheet. Then add your seasonings, rubs or other ingredients and bake following your recipe’s instructions. It’s as simple as that!
How To Bake Boneless Pork Chops In The Oven
1. Start by lightly pounding the chops between two pieces of plastic wrap.
You do NOT want to flatten them, you just want to pound them to break up some of the fibers, in order to help tenderize the meat. 4-5 light smacks per chop will do.
- lightly pound pork chops
2. Rub the chops with olive oil first, then with mustard. Make sure to cover both sides and the edge.
- coat with oil and mustard
3. Combine the ingredients for the spice rub, then evenly sprinkle all sides of the chops.
You dont want to rub the spices into the chops , but just lightly dab it all over the meat.
- season the pork
4. Place the chops on a rimmed pan lined with baking parchment.
Bake the chops at 400°F for 6 minutes per ½ inch thickness OR until the internal temperature reaches 140°F. Turn on the broiler and broil the chops for 1-2 minutes until they are nicely browned.
- bake pork chops
5. Remove the chops from the oven, let them rest for 5 minutes. Make sure the temperature has risen to at least 145°F before serving!
- rest for 5 minutes before serving
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How Long Should I Cook Pork Chops In The Oven
The cook time for baked pork chops will vary depending on how thick your chops are. That said, they wont need very long in the oven.
For example, boneless pork chops about 1-inch thick will need a 2 to 3 minute sear in the skillet and then 8 to 15 minutes of bake time in the oven.
Thinner chops will cook much quicker, and thicker chops may take a few minutes longer a temperature thermometer is your best bet for checking doneness.
Pork is done when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you do not have a thermometer, you will know they are done if the juices run clear when cutting into the chops.
What To Serve With Pork Chops
I personally like to serve these ones up on a bed of rice but you can also serve with a side of vegetables soaked in butter or over mashed potatoes.
Mix things up and try a few of these options:
- Try my Broccoli Salad for a healthy side dish, its always a family favorite.
- In the middle of winter and want something fresh? My winter citrus avocado salad is a taste of summer on a plate!
- Nothing beats a good sweet dinner roll recipe for a comfort food side dish.
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How Long To Grill Pork Chops
The thickness of your pork chops is what will determine how long they’ll need to stay on the BBQ. I don’t recommend grilling pork chops that are less than 1-inch thick as they tend to dry out easier.
On a medium-high heat BBQ, you want to grill boneless pork chops for 14 minutes per inch of thickness. Add 2 minutes per inch if you’re using bone-in pork chops.
The best way to tell if your pork chops are cooked, and to not overcook them, is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. When you think your chops are done, insert the thermometer into the middle of one of them. If it reads 145 degrees Fahrenheit, your chops are ready to come off the grill.
Tips For Baking The Best Pork Tenderloin
- Do not overcook it. As with any lean cut of meat, if it is overcooked, it will be dry. The key is to cook it to 145 degrees Fahrenheit and no more. The pork will be a tiny bit pink in the center and buttery soft.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer. It’s an inexpensive kitchen tool that every kitchen should have. Using a thermometer will ensure that your meat is perfectly cooked.
- Sear the pork before you bake it. Taking the 6ish minutes to do this step will not only give it a beautiful color, but it also adds flavor and seals in the juices, so it stays more tender.
- Add a little liquid. We deglaze the searing pan with some beef stock and add this to the roasting pan. It adds a fantastic flavor and helps keep the tenderloin juicy.
- Pour a little apple cider vinegar over the pork. It will help tenderize the meat and give a delicious flavor to the sauce.
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Juicy Honey Garlic Pork Chops With Caramelised Edges Ready And On Your Table In Less Than 15 Minutes Smothered In The Best 4
This Honey Garlic Pork Chops Recipe is so easy you wont believe it when its done! No marinating needed, this recipe is an incredibly quick and delicious way to serve bone in or boneless pork chops seared until golden then simmered and broiled in the most amazing honey garlic sauce!
THE BEST part are those crispy, charred and caramelised edges!
Sweet And Spicy Glazed Pork Chops
Can you think of a better flavor combo than sweet and spicy? Thats the only way to serve Chinese pork if you ask me.
This recipe brings the delectable duo to your dinner table, with succulent pork chops bathed in a sweet, savory glaze.
These chops are tender, juicy, and finish in only a few minutes! The secret is in the sauce coating the meat in a smoky sugar glaze helps seal the moisture.
Quick Tip: This recipe works best with boneless porks chops between 1/2 to 1-inch thick.
What can be better than succulent meat swimming in a creamy mushroom sauce? Cant think of anything? Neither can I!
This recipe creates one decadent dinner that will leave you feeling satisfied.
The creamy mushroom sauce is so rich and silky, making the perfect gravy for these tender pork chops. Each forkful is like taking a chomp of heaven.
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Easy Keto Pork Chop Recipes
These keto pork chop recipes will bring new flavors to your meal plan. From braises to glazes, there are plenty of tasty dishes to choose from.
I think pork chops are one of the most versatile cuts of meat out there. They work in so many cuisines, and its easy to add tons of flavor to them.
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So, get creative with your keto dinner menu and add fun twists to this underappreciated protein powerhouse.
These 25 delicious keto pork chop recipes will give this humble cut a whole new reputation at the dinner table!
How To Store Oven Baked Pork Chops
- Serve: You shouldnt leave cooked meat at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Store: Let the Pork Chops cool down, then seal it in an airtight container to store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: To keep leftover pork longer, you can freeze it for 2-3 months.
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About the Author: Sabrina Snyder
Sabrina is a professionally trained Private Chef of over 10 years with ServSafe Manager certification in food safety. She creates all the recipes here on Dinner, then Dessert, fueled in no small part by her love for bacon.
Sabrina Snyder is a professionally trained personal and private chef of over 10 years who is the creator and developer of all the recipes on Dinner, then Dessert.
She is also the author of the upcoming cookbook: Dinner, then Dessert Satisfying Meals Using Only 3, 5 or 7 Ingredients which is being published by Harper Collins.
She started Dinner, then Dessert as a business in her office as a lunch service for her coworkers who admired her lunches before going to culinary school and becoming a full time personal chef and private chef.
As a personal chef Sabrina would cook for families one day a week and cook their entire week of dinners. All grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning was done along with instructions on reheating. As a private chef she cooked for private parties and cooked in family homes in the evenings for families on a nightly basis after working as a personal chef during the day.
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Whats The Best Way To Cook Pork Chops
In my opinion, the best way to make juicy and tender pork chops is by searing them on the stove using a cast iron pan and then finish cooking them in the oven.
The reason is that the pork chops will have mor flavor and a nice, brown, and beautiful crust on the outside, and they will be very juicy and tender inside. See how I do it down below!
Of course if you dont have an oven-safe skillet, sear the pork chops in whatever skillet you have and transfer them to a baking dish to finish in the oven.
How To Make Baked Pork Chops:
As much as I would love to say that you can make perfectly baked pork chops by just popping them directly in the oven, Ive just never had good luck with that method. Instead, Ive learned over the years that the secret is taking an extra 15 minutes to brine the pork. Then giving it a quick sear on the stove before roasting it in the oven. And then, as I mentioned above, using the help of a cooking thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the pork and ensure that it has reached the magical 145°F . It may sound complicated, but I promise you its easy peasy. Simply:
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Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Pork Chops
- Youll want to cook the potatoes separately from the pork chops. They can be roasted in an air fryer or steamed and mashed with butter and milk.
- To make these pork chops with brown sugar sauce in a slow cooker, first season them with salt and pepper and sear a hot skillet with vegetable oil.
- Add them to the slow cooker, and rub the garlic and brown sugar over the tops of the pork chops.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
How To Make Smothered Pork Chops
In just a few steps and less than 40 minutes you can have these delicious pork chops on your table. Here is an overview of how to make this recipe. Find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.
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How To Cook Pork Chops In The Oven
Serves 4
The Secret To Tender And Juicy Pork Chops
I get so many questions about cooking boneless pork chops in the oven, mostly from people who grew up eating dry pork and are hesitant to even try baked pork recipes.
When baking pork chops, a few simple rules guarantees great results. Here are my most important tips for succulent, juicy and tender pork chops.
Buy the Right Type of Pork Chop
For oven baking, the thickness of the chops matter, and thick chops are a must! Choose pork chops that are at least 1-inch thick. Thin chops tend to always dry up when baked. You can use both bone-in or boneless pork chops for this recipe with great success.
Cooking Times vs Internal Temperature
Cooking times vary greatly depending on the type of pork chop, the thickness of the meat and how hot your oven runs. The meat will stay juicy if you dont over cook it. Its as simple as that.
The secret to not overcooking pork chops is to check the meats internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. Cooking times should be a guideline only.
To avoid a dry pork chop, check for doneness a few times during the last part of baking time . Insert the meat thermometer probe in the thickest part of the pork chop and remove the meat from the oven when the internal temperature reads 135-140 degrees F.
Rest the Meat Before Serving
A Meat Thermometer
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