The Best Baked Pork Chops Recipe
Learn the easiest and best way to bake pork chops that always turn out absolutely perfect. Enjoy juicy and tender pork chops and learn all my best tips for cooking this healthy protein the right way
Thick boneless pork chops are seasoned with a flavorful dry rub made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and then oven baked on a sheet pan or baking dish to golden brown, juicy perfection.
How To Reheat Baked Pork Chops
I don’t recommend using the microwave to reheat them. It will cause them to overcook.
If you froze your pork chops uncooked, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator over night and then bake as normal.
If your pork chops are cooked and frozen, let them thaw first.
If you are reheating thawed, cooked pork chops, I recommend putting them on a sheet pan in the oven at 300°F until heated throw. You want them to slowly reheat without overcooking them.
How To Make Baked Pork Chops
Also Check: Bush’s Baked Beans Tour
How To Store The Leftovers
When it comes to these tender pork chops, I highly doubt youll have any leftovers but on the rare chance that you do, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I personally recommend eating them the next day though otherwise the marinade and the pork may start to dry out, and nobody wants that to happen!
How To Cook Thick Pork Chops In The Oven
On this cooking video, were going to make thick pork chops that are cooked in the oven. These are the perfect thick pork chops. And they are really easy to make. To begin, well prepare the pork chops. For this recipe, well use thick pork chops. And well just season them with salt and pepper. Next, well prepare the marinade. For this marinade, were going to use soy sauce. Well also use honey and garlic. Well also add some black pepper. Well also use sesame oil. Sesame oil is a good way to add a bit of heat to the marinade. And finally, well add the pork chops to the marinade. Well also put a lid on the pan. This will help it to cook for the perfect amount of time. For this time, well cook it for about 40 minutes at 350 degrees. While this is cooking, well make the quick but delicious sauce that goes with the pork chops. Well begin by heating the oil in a pan. And when the oil is warm, well add the onion. Well also add some garlic. Well then add some mustard. And well also add some Worcestershire sauce. Well then
Recommended Reading: Bake Believe Chocolate Chips Keto
Can You Cook Pork Chops From Frozen
You can, but I dont recommend it. Cooking meat direct from frozen will result in an overcooked outside while the inside is still not cooked through.
If you have frozen pork chops, thaw them first in cold water before proceeding with the baked pork chop recipe. Besides, since you are marinating the meat anyway, you can let the chops thaw in the marinade in the fridge overnight if you have the time.
Recommended Reading: Honey Baked Ham Pensacola Fl
How To Bake Pork Chops At 375 Degrees
Step one: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Mix together seasonings of choice. For this recipe, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Step two: Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Place chops in the baking dish.
Step three: Pour olive oil over tops of the pork chops then top with seasoning mixture.
Step four: Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 18-25 minutes depending on the thickness of the chop. Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to make sure it reaches 145 degrees. If using 1/2-inch pork chop, check the temperature after 12 minutes of cooking.
Step five: Let pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Recommended Reading: How Long To Cook Bush Baked Beans In Oven
How Do You Cook Thin Pork Chops
The easiest way and probably the best way you can keep pork chops tender is by giving them a quick sear them first, then cooking in a warm oven. You may also want to try roasting or slow-roasting. Having the meat at room temperature before cooking helps the meat cook through evenly.
Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat and add a little olive oil and heat until the oil is hot. After a minute on high temperature, the oil and pan should be hot enough. Add the pork chops into the pan. You will know if the pan is hot enough if you hear a sizzle when you add the meat.
Allow to cook for 1-2 minutes and flip the meat browning the other side. At this point you are cooking just until the meat is seared on both sides. Total cook time for browning should not be any longer than 4 minutes.
Next place the pork chops in an oven at medium heat and bake until they are slightly pink and juicy but still safe to eat. The safe internal temperature should be 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure that you use a meat instant read thermometer to monitor progress throughout because nothing beats getting an accurate reading from start, so you dont overcook your meat.
Allowing this dish rest for about 30 minutes at room temperature will help the juices stay inside the meat. Tent the meat with aluminum foil to help keep the residual heat in.
Smothered Pork Chops Recipe Tips
- The best way to tell when pork chops are done is to measure their internal temperature with an instant read thermometer. According to the USDA, pork chops should be cooked to 145° F and then allowed to rest for 3 minutes before consuming.
- The exact cook time will depend on the thickness of the pork chops. I recommend using pork chops that are at least 1 inch thick for best results .
- Bone-in pork chops work best in this recipe. The bone keeps the meat from drying out. You may use boneless pork chops, but be sure that they are at least 1 inch thick and be careful to not overcook them.
- If the gravy gets too thick you can stir in a little more broth to thin it out.
Recommended Reading: Honey Baked Ham Olive Branch Ms
Why Are My Pork Chops Dry And Tough
Pork chops are a lean cut, so they cook quickly and can overcook easily. When theyre cooked for even a few minutes too long, they become dry and tough. The reason chops can become tough is because they continue to cook even after you take them out of the oven or stove. This can happen because the retained heat makes it difficult for the chop to cool down.
How To Cook Boneless Pork Chops
Boneless pork chops cook more quickly and evenly but also dry out more quickly.We designed this recipe for boneless pork chops, so no additional modifications are necessary, but if you want to try your new pork chop skills with another recipe try to marinate before baking to keep your chops tender and juicy if making chops without a bone.
If youre looking for more easy baked pork chop recipes, as well as tons of info to make you a pork chop cooking master, be sure to check out my ultimate guide to cooking pork chops here.
It is full of tips and tricks to perfect pork chops so you can have your own delicious pork miracles on the dinner table!
Recommended Reading: How Long To Bake Potatoes At 350
How To Tell When They’re Done
The best way to tell when your pork chops are cooked through is via the use of an instant-read thermometer. The ideal temperature reading for doneness ranges between 145°F and 155°F.
Other ways to tell if your pork chops are done is by either feel or sight. If you poke at your pork chops and they are soft in the middle, with a good deal of give, they’re likely not done. If however, you poke the middle of a chop and it is extremely firm, you’re probably past the point of well done. A perfectly cooked chop will fall somewhere in the middle.
Pork chops are okay to eat if they are slightly pink in the middle, as long as the juices are running clear. If the juices do not run clear, the chops should be returned to the heat source to continue cooking.
Why I Love Pork Chops:
- Within about 20 minutes, I can sit down with my family and have a healthy delicious meal that everyone will love.
- Easy spices that I always have in my pantry and they turn out so good on these boneless pork chops.
- Pork Chops are budget friendly. Pork Chops are really easy to make and turn out so juicy and flavorful if you cook them just right.
- The sauce that the pork chops make is so good. I love to serve this as a side so we can either dip or pour over our veggies. This is a must that my family always look forward to.
- Pork Chops are perfect for any diet that you are on. Porks Chops are a lean meat that is low in calorie but high in protein.
- Pork Chops are perfect on the grill. Instead of making steak or chicken, I love to mix things up and grill some pork chops.
Also Check: Nutri Grain Soft Baked Breakfast Bars
Faqs For Baked Boneless Pork Chops
Why are my baked pork chops always tough?
You overcooked them. Foodsafety.gov says that fresh pork should reach an internal temperature of 145°F. Overcooking it will give you a tough pork chop.
Do I need to use a specific brand of ranch dressing mix?
No. You can use whatever brand you prefer for your seasoning mixture. I partial to Hidden Valley, because it’s my favorite ranch flavor, but use whatever kind you like.
Can I use thinner or thicker pork chops?
You can, but be careful on cooking time. I recommend staying with 1- 1 ½ inches. You’ll need to adjust your cooking time to account for differing size.
How long to bake boneless pork chops?
For pork chops that are 1 to 1 ½ inches thick, bake them at 400°F for 15-18 minutes .
How to tell when baked pork chops are done?
To tell if your baked pork chops are done, insert an instant read meat thermometer at the thickest part. When it reads 145°F, the pork chops are done.
Why are my pork chops dry?
This is due to overcooking. Foodsafety.gov says that fresh pork should reach an internal temperature of 145°F. Overcooking it will give you a tough pork chop.
Should I cover the pork chops with aluminum foil while in the oven?
No, this step is not necessary.
Should you flip pork chops in the oven?
You will want to flip these pork chops once during the cooking process.
How do you keep boneless pork chops from drying out?
What To Do With Leftovers
Pork can be finicky when reheating, so Ill sometimes eat it cold. One great way to re-use leftover pork in to add it to my Egg Fried Rice which is something I do often. Make sure to dice the pork up into small, bite-sized pieces and saute them in a little butter to heat them before adding them to the rice.
Here are some more delicious pork recipes to try:
You May Like: Is Baked By Melissa Nut Free
Juicy Pork Chop Tips:
- Make sure to bake your pork chops at high temperature. This helps it to caramelize the texture of the pork chops and locks in the juices.
- Try not to overcook your pork chops. Using a meat thermometer helps reach the perfect temperature of 145 degrees. Plus make sure you check them to ensure that you are not overcooking them.
- The main key to achieve a juicy pork chop is letting it rest for around 10 minutes before slicing. I also place a piece of foil lightly on the pork chops.
- I like to buy at least 1-inch thick pork chops to ensure that they do not dry out. We have bought thin ones and they dried out very quickly.
- My family loves boneless pork chops but you can also use bone-in pork chops.
How Long To Bake Thin Pork Chops At 375 Tips
There are a variety of pork chops out there, some with more fat and others with less. The cut of meat can be either tender, mild-tasting, and only needs quick cooking or tough, strong-tasting, and needs a longer cooking time. Most pork chops come from the pork loin on the back of the pig. Whereas some options for a quality chop include blade shoulder, center cut, country style or rib end. To ensure that your cuts are cooked to perfection, it pays to determine which cut of meat you need and how thick you need it to be before purchasing it.
Thicker chops have better texture. Pork is currently being bred to be rather lean, so it may be very easy for it to get overcooked. Thicker chop is forgiving, so try to find thick-cut pork chops or ones that are at least 1 1/2 inches thick.
Brining helps to keep the meat moist and offer more protection for overcooking. Plus, it adds flavor to the mildly flavored meat!
The fat content, the thickness of the chop, and how the pork was raised all have an effect on how long it will take to bake the pork chops. The cooking time will vary depending on many factors including thickness and type of chop being prepared as well as temperature of oven and actual temperature in the kitchen at the time preparation commences. If your goal is to produce a mouth-watering moist & juicy mouthful why not consider lowering oven temperatures by 25 degrees F?
You May Like: Can I Bake Frozen Chicken
Do You Flip Pork Chops In The Oven
When it comes to pork chops, many people often ask if they need to flip them in the oven. The answer is that it largely depends on your cooking preferences and what type of pork chop you are using. If you like your pork chops cooked through, then you likely wont need to flip them. However, if you prefer them more well-done, then flipping them can help ensure that they cook through evenly.
How To Grill Pork Chops
I tested this recipe on an outdoor gas grill. You can also use a charcoal grill or grill pan. Follow these tips for the best grilled pork chops:
- Thick pork chops are best for grilling because they wont dry out easily. Choose pork chops that are at least 1-inch thick for best results.
- Bone-in or Boneless Pork Chops? Bone-in pork chops are best for making juicy grilled pork chops, because the bone helps to prevent the pork chops from drying out. You can also use thick boneless pork chops.
- You can season the pork chops with the pork chop marinade in this recipe or this simple Pork Chop Seasoning. Either way, I recommend marinating your pork chops for the best flavor. After putting the pork chops in the marinade or coating them with the seasoning rub, marinate them in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours.
- How long to grill pork chops: First sear pork chops over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side. This will create nice grill marks and also helps to seal in the juices. Then reduce the heat to medium and continue grilling for 4 to 7 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 145° F. The exact cook time depends on the thickness of your chops. Boneless pork chops will take a few less minutes to cook through.
- Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat so that your pork chops turn out tender and juicy.
You May Like: Best Homemade Baked Mac And Cheese
Tips For Juicy Pork Chops
- Bake them at high temperature. This will caramelize the outsides and sear in the juices.
- Dont overcook pork chops. Take them out of the oven when the internal temperature is between 145 and 150° F.
- Let the baked pork chops rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This is the key to moist, juicy pork chops. You can loosely cover them with foil while they rest if you wish.
- Buy thick-cut pork chops that are at least 1-inch thick. Thin pork chops tend to dry out more easily.
- I usually cook boneless pork chops, but bone-in pork chops can be even more juicy because the bone helps to keep the meat moist.