21 Juicy and Delicious Pork Chop Recipes You Need to Try

Pork chops are a fantastic, versatile protein that can be transformed into mouthwatering meals with the right techniques and seasonings. In this article, you’ll find 21 delicious pork chop recipes, complete with ingredients and step-by-step instructions. Plus, we’ll share essential tips to ensure your pork chops turn out juicy and flavorful every time.

How to Cook Juicy Pork Chops Every Time

Before diving into the recipes, here are some expert tips to elevate your pork chop game:

1. Choose the Right Cut

• Bone-in vs. Boneless: Bone-in pork chops retain more moisture and flavor, while boneless ones cook faster.
• Thickness Matters: Opt for chops that are at least 1-inch thick to prevent them from drying out.

2. Use the Right Cooking Method

• Searing First: Searing locks in juices before finishing in the oven or a covered pan.
• Resting Time: Let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes after cooking to redistribute juices.

3. Don’t Overcook

• Ideal Internal Temperature: Pork is safe to eat at 145°F (use a meat thermometer for accuracy).
• Carryover Cooking: Remove from heat a few degrees before 145°F, as they continue cooking off heat.

Now, let’s get to the recipes!

1. Garlic Butter Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops (bone-in or boneless)
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the chops: Pat the pork chops dry and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
2. Sear the chops: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
3. Make the garlic butter sauce: In the same pan, reduce heat to medium-low. Add the butter, minced garlic, and thyme. Stir for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Finish cooking: Return the pork chops to the pan and spoon the garlic butter over them for another 2-3 minutes.
5. Rest and serve: Let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving to retain juiciness.

2. Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 3 tbsp honey
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Season the pork chops with black pepper.
2. Sear in olive oil over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side until browned.
3. Make the glaze: Reduce heat to medium-low and add honey, garlic, and soy sauce. Stir for 2 minutes until thickened.
4. Coat the pork chops in the glaze and cook for another 2 minutes.
5. Rest for 5 minutes, then serve.

3. Creamy Mushroom Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Heat oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the pork chops for 3-4 minutes per side until browned. Remove from pan.
2. Sauté the mushrooms and garlic until soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Simmer for 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Return the pork chops to the pan, spooning the sauce over them. Simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and rest before serving.

4. Lemon Herb Grilled Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Marinate pork chops in the mixture for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat a grill to medium heat and grill the chops for 5-6 minutes per side.
4. Let the pork chops rest before serving.

5. Smothered Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 tbsp butter

Instructions:

1. Sear pork chops in a skillet with butter for 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from pan.
2. Sauté onions until golden, then sprinkle flour over them and stir.
3. Add broth and stir until thickened into a gravy.
4. Return pork chops, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.

6. Maple Dijon Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Prepare the pork chops: Pat dry and season with salt and pepper.
2. Sear: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork chops for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from the pan.
3. Make the sauce: In the same pan, whisk together the maple syrup and Dijon mustard. Cook for 1 minute until thickened slightly.
4. Coat the pork chops: Return them to the pan, spooning the sauce over them. Simmer for 3-5 minutes.
5. Rest and serve: Let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.

7. Apple Cider Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Season and sear: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season pork chops with salt and pepper, then sear for 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
2. Make the sauce: Add butter and apple cider to the pan. Stir and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.
3. Simmer: Return pork chops to the pan, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
4. Rest and serve: Let rest before serving, spooning sauce over the top.

8. Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Prepare coating: Mix Parmesan and breadcrumbs in a shallow dish.
3. Dip pork chops in beaten egg, then coat in the breadcrumb mixture.
4. Sear and bake: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sear chops for 2 minutes per side, then transfer to a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
6. Rest and serve.

9. Honey Balsamic Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season and sear pork chops for 3-4 minutes per side, then remove.
3. Make glaze: Add balsamic vinegar and honey to the pan, simmering for 2 minutes.
4. Return pork chops and cook for 5 minutes, basting with the glaze.
5. Rest and serve.

10. Cajun Spiced Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Rub pork chops with Cajun seasoning.
2. Sear in a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat for 4 minutes per side.
3. Lower heat and cook for another 3 minutes, flipping occasionally.
4. Let rest before serving.

11. Teriyaki Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• ½ cup teriyaki sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions:

1. Marinate pork chops in teriyaki sauce for 1 hour.
2. Grill or pan-sear for 5-6 minutes per side.
3. Rest and serve with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

12. BBQ Ranch Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• ½ cup BBQ sauce
• 2 tbsp ranch dressing

Instructions:

1. Grill or pan-sear pork chops for 5 minutes per side.
2. Brush with BBQ sauce and cook for another 2 minutes.
3. Drizzle ranch dressing over pork chops before serving.

13. Bourbon Glazed Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• ¼ cup bourbon
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp butter

Instructions:

1. Sear pork chops in butter for 4 minutes per side, then remove.
2. Add bourbon and sugar to the pan, simmering for 2 minutes.
3. Return pork chops and cook for another 5 minutes, basting with sauce.

14. Chipotle Lime Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1 chipotle pepper, minced
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Marinate pork chops in chipotle and lime juice for 30 minutes.
2. Grill or pan-sear for 5 minutes per side.

15. Garlic Rosemary Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

Instructions:

1. Season and sear pork chops with rosemary and garlic for 4 minutes per side.
2. Reduce heat and cook for another 5 minutes, spooning juices over the top.

16. Stuffed Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 thick pork chops
• ½ cup spinach, chopped
• ¼ cup shredded cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Cut a pocket in each pork chop.
2. Stuff with spinach and cheese.
3. Sear in olive oil for 3 minutes per side, then bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.

17. Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Gravy

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Place pork chops in a slow cooker.
2. Pour soup and broth over them.
3. Cook on low for 6 hours.

18. Soy Ginger Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 1 tbsp grated ginger

Instructions:

1. Marinate pork chops in soy sauce and ginger for 1 hour.
2. Pan-fry for 4 minutes per side.

19. Pineapple Glazed Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• ½ cup pineapple juice

Instructions:

1. Sear pork chops, then add pineapple juice.
2. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.

20. Mustard Herb Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard

Instructions:

1. Coat pork chops in mustard.
2. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes.

21. Classic Shake and Bake Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

Instructions:

1. Coat pork chops in breadcrumbs.
2. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes.

Final Tips for Juicy Pork Chops

1. Don’t Skip the Resting Step

After cooking, always let your pork chops rest for 5-10 minutes. This redistributes juices and prevents them from drying out.

2. Use a Meat Thermometer

For perfectly juicy pork chops, use an instant-read thermometer and remove them from heat at 145°F (63°C).

3. Try Reverse Searing for Thick Chops

For extra thick pork chops, bake them at 275°F until they reach 135°F, then sear them in a hot skillet for the best crust and flavor.