pork chop recipes

The Ultimate Pork Chop Recipe Collection

1. 15-Minute Garlic Butter Pan-Seared Chops

Perfect for: A quick, restaurant-quality weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

4 bone-in pork chops (at least 1-inch thick)

1 tbsp olive oil

3 tbsp unsalted butter

4-6 cloves garlic, minced

3 sprigs fresh thyme or rosemary

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Prep: Pat the chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.

Sear: Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chops. Sear for 3–5 minutes without moving them to develop a golden-brown crust.

Baste: Flip the chops. Add butter, garlic, and fresh herbs to the pan. Once the butter melts, tilt the pan and spoon the foaming garlic-herb butter over the chops continuously for the last 2 minutes of cooking.

Rest: Remove from the pan when the internal temperature reaches $140^\circ\text{F}$ (it will rise to $145^\circ\text{F}$ while resting). Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

2. Caramelized Brown Sugar Baked Chops

Perfect for: Hands-off cooking with a sweet and savory glaze.

Ingredients

4 boneless or bone-in pork chops

2 tbsp olive oil

The Rub: 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper.

Instructions

Preheat: Set your oven to $400^\circ\text{F}$ ($200^\circ\text{C}$).

Season: Mix the rub ingredients in a small bowl. Pat chops dry, rub with olive oil, then coat thoroughly with the spice mix.

Bake: Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15–20 minutes (boneless) or 20–25 minutes (bone-in).

Crisp: Optional: Broil for the last 2 minutes to caramelize the sugar into a sticky glaze.

Rest: Rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

3. Honey Garlic Glazed Pork Chops

Perfect for: A sticky, Asian-inspired flavor profile.

Ingredients

4 pork chops

2 tbsp butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

¼ cup honey

¼ cup chicken broth (or water)

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)

Instructions

Sear: Pan-fry seasoned pork chops in a skillet over medium-high heat for 3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 1 minute. Stir in honey, broth, and vinegar. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Glaze: Add the chops back into the pan. Spoon the sauce over the meat and cook for another 2–3 minutes until the pork is cooked through and the sauce is sticky.

Pro-Tips for Success

Thickness Matters: Look for chops at least 1 inch thick. Thin chops (½ inch or less) overcook in seconds and often become "shoe leather."

Take the Chill Off: Let the pork sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before cooking. This ensures the center warms up without the outside burning.

The Brine Hack: If you have time, soak your chops in a mixture of 4 cups water and ¼ cup salt for 30 minutes. This seasons the meat deeply and helps it retain moisture during high-heat cooking.