Easy Skillet Pork Chops with Gravy - Pork Chop Recipe - Family Food on the Table (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making tender 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.

Pork chops tend to dry out and burn when you cook them on the stove-top alone, but by frying one side first and getting it good and brown, then turning it over and putting it in the oven to finish cooking, you get the best of both worlds.

Pork has a meaty, slightly sweet, and very savory flavor, but it is also quite oily. Apples have a sweet, relatively dry, slightly acidic flavor, and the dry acidity is a good complement to the oiliness of pork. People have served pork with apples for at least a couple thousand years.

Best Seasoning for Pork Chops

Thyme and sage add herby and floral notes complementing pork's flavor exceptionally well. There's also a combination of smoked paprika, pepper, and a little bit of cayenne pepper, which all give your pork chops a lovely, not overly spicy, kiss of heat.

Tenderize Pork with a Meat Mallet

An old-fashioned meat mallet is a quick, affordable, and reliable way to soften up any cut of meat. It's great for pork chops because you can use it lightly on thinner chops and put more force into thicker cuts.

The milk solids in butter also contribute to a beautiful caramelization, creating a golden-brown crust on the pork chops. However, it's essential to note that butter has a lower smoke point compared to some cooking oils. This means that if the heat is too high, the butter can burn, leading to an unpleasant acrid taste.

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.

Remove the pork chops from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before cooking so they can be at room temperature. (That helps pork cook evenly and juicier.) Pat dry the chops with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Rub them on all sides with a tablespoon of oil.

The quickest way to cook pork chops is to pan-fry or griddle them. As the chops can be quite large, this method is best when serving one or two people. If you're cooking for more you might want to try roasting or grilling.

Why do my pork chops always come out tough? ›

Because pork chops are such a lean cut, they are relatively quick-cooking and prone to overcooking. 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.

Brining actually changes the cell structure within the meat, resulting in a noticeably juicier chop. The salt brine also seasons the interior of the meat. It won't taste “salty” — just well-seasoned. You can even add other seasonings, like garlic, peppercorns, fresh herbs, and lemon, to the brine for more flavor.

Pork chops are lean, so seasoning with salt before cooking is essential for making the most flavorful chops. Tip #3: Rub the chops with spices and some flour. Here's where your favorite spice rub can come in. Alternatively, you can use our spice blend suggested in the recipe below or try this homemade Cajun seasoning.

There's also no shame in going with the classics, like roasted fingerling potatoes, mac & cheese, or homemade Instant Pot applesauce. Generally speaking, you can never go wrong with potatoes as a side dish, and we love shaking things up with baked sweet potatoes and even fluffy potato rolls on occasion too.

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. According to Hazel, these kinds of preparations always produce the most tender outcomes.

Easy and simple: Let the pork chops rest for at least 10 minutes, covered, before slicing them up. The juices will redistribute back into the meat to keep them flavorful, tender and juicy.

Because pork chops are such a lean cut, they are relatively quick-cooking and prone to overcooking. 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.

Alternatively, a baking soda mixture generally takes between 15 and 20 minutes to tenderize the cuts of meat. It also carries less risk of harming the meat should the cuts sit in a baking soda for longer. As a result, a baking soda wet brine can be more forgiving and foolproof than a traditional saltwater brine.