How to Cook the Juiciest Pork Chops

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If you’ve ever wondered how to cook pork chops, this recipe holds the key. We opt for a cut of pork that’s thin enough to be cooked in the skillet without having to finish in the oven yet is still thick enough not to overcook. We finish off these juicy pork chops with a sauce that builds its flavor from the drippings left in the pan for a quick and fulfilling dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Serve alongside lightly dressed greens.

a recipe photo of the Juicy Pork Chops
Credit:

Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Active Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
4
the ingredients to make the Juicy Pork Chops

Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 2 (8-ounce) boneless pork chops (1 to 1¼ inches thick)

  • 3/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola or avocado

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

  • 1 cup lower-sodium chicken broth

  • 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar

  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish

  • 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed

Directions

  1. Use a small, sharp knife to make crosswise cuts into fat on pork chops at 1/2- to 1-inch intervals without slicing into the meat.

    a photo of a cutting board and a knife with the pork chops

    Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

  2. Pat the chops dry; sprinkle with poultry seasoning, salt and pepper. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chops to the pan in a single layer; cook, pressing down on the chops often and flipping once, until golden brown and a thermometer inserted into the thickest portion registers 140°F, 4 to 6 minutes per side (adjust heat as needed to prevent overbrowning). Transfer the pork chops to a large rimmed plate and keep warm. (Let rest for 5 minutes; the internal temperature will continue to rise to 145°F.) Discard all but 1 teaspoon of the drippings in the skillet.

    a photo of the pork chops cooking in a pan

    Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

  3. Place the skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic to the drippings; cook, stirring constantly, until softened and fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add broth and any accumulated juices from the plate, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen browned bits. Bring to a simmer; cook, stirring often, until reduced to 1/3 cup, about 7 minutes. Stir in vinegar; simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 minute.

  4. Remove from heat; stir in parsley. Gradually whisk in butter, about 1 tablespoon at a time, until well combined and emulsified. Pour the sauce over the pork chops. Garnish with more parsley, if desired.

    a photo of the sauce being poured onto the pork chop

    Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are pork chops healthy?

    Pork is an excellent source of protein and a good source of vitamins and minerals, including potassium and choline. Choline is essential for a healthy nervous system. Pork chops come from the loin of the pig but can come from different sections of the loin. Sirloin pork chops have less fat than the other varieties and made the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check List.

  • Can I make pork chops ahead of time?

    Absolutely. However, according to the Department of Agriculture, you should plan to use pork chops within three to four days, as refrigeration does not stop bacteria from growing on pork. Be sure the meat is refrigerated at a temperature of 40°F or below. Let the cooked pork cool for only about 10 minutes before placing it in a container in the fridge. Use a shallow container with a lid, or a zip-top bag, or you can wrap the pork in foil.

     

    Reheating pork is easy and best done in a skillet or oven. Remove the pork chops from the fridge and let them stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes. For the stovetop method, heat about a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the chops, increase heat to medium and cook for a couple of minutes per side. Remove the chops when an instant-read thermometer registers 140°F. Remember, the internal temperature will continue to rise to the recommended 145°F after leaving a hot skillet or oven. You want to be careful not to heat them too much and dry them out. For the oven method, preheat the oven to 300°F and place the chops on a rack that’s resting on a rimmed sheet pan. Bake for about 10 to 15 minutes. You can reheat pork chops in an air fryer with good results too, but we don’t recommend reheating them in a microwave because they tend to dry out too quickly.

  • What should I serve with pork chops?

    We recommend complementary sides that bring in a different flavor and texture, such as potatoes in all shapes and forms, fruit-based stuffings and apple sauce, roasted root vegetables, asparagus, collards, wedge salads or other greens, and always cornbread or hot rolls. For wines, we recommend light-bodied reds or light- to moderate-bodied whites.

  • What can be used instead of poultry seasoning?

    Poultry seasoning is typically a mix of thyme, parsley, sage, rosemary, marjoram, onion powder, and salt and pepper. Sometimes you’ll see it with celery seed and nutmeg too. While there are recipes to make your own, you can also swap the seasoning blend for one of the herbs mentioned. You can also opt for oregano or Italian seasoning, if you wish, or herbes de Provence. Or, try swapping it for za’atar. Just be sure that whatever you use, the measurement is the same. You don’t want to overpower your pork chops with seasoning.

Recipe developed by Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman

EatingWell.com, June 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

306 Calories
20g Fat
3g Carbs
27g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 pork chop & 1 1/2 Tbsp. sauce
Calories 306
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 3g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 1g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 27g 54%
Total Fat 20g 26%
Saturated Fat 8g 38%
Cholesterol 94mg 31%
Vitamin A 79µg
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 2mg 11%
Folate 3µg
Vitamin K 18µg
Sodium 356mg 15%
Calcium 25mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%
Magnesium 29mg 7%
Potassium 488mg 10%
Zinc 2mg 19%
Vitamin B12 1µg
Omega 3 1g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.