If pork chops have turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use them with confidence and how to choose them, cook them, store them, what to substitute, and 215 recipes to try them in.
Whether you're looking to create a quick and easy weeknight dinner or can become a show-stopping meal for a special occasion, pork chops can be a reliable go-to.
When it comes to buying pork chops, it's essential to look for cuts that are fresh and high-quality. You should purchase pork chops from a local butcher or reputable meat counter. Look for chops that are pinkish-red in color with a decent amount of fat cap to help keep things moist (depending on the recipe). The thickness of the chops can vary depending on your preference, but generally, a 1-inch-thick chop is a good starting point.
One of the most common culinary uses for pork chops is simply pan-frying or grilling them and serving them alongside your favorite sides. However, pork chops are used in various recipes, from stews and baked pork chop casseroles or sliced into strips for stir-fries.
If you're looking for a classic pork chop recipe, try seasoning your chops with salt, pepper, and garlic powder before pan-frying them in oil until they are browned and cooked. For a twist on the traditional, you can also try marinating your pork chops in a mixture of soy sauce, honey, and ginger before grilling them to perfection.
No matter how you prepare them, pork chops are a delicious ingredient that can add flavor and versatility to any meal. So, next time you're at the grocery store, pick up a few high-quality pork chops and get cooking!
Specific kinds of pork chops and the recipes that use them.
Pork loin chops are chops cut crosswise from the pork loin, the long lean muscle along the pig's back. They are the everyday dinner chop: relatively lean, mild, and quick to cook. A bone-in loin chop with a little T-shaped bone is essentially a pork version of a T-bone steak.
Being from the loin, they are tender but low in fat. That makes them fast and easy on a weeknight, and easy to ruin if you are not paying attention.
Centre cut pork chops come from the middle of the loin, the prime stretch that runs along the back. They are the leanest of the loin chops, with a large eye of pale, tender meat and very little fat or connective tissue.
You will see two styles. A bone-in centre cut has a length of rib or backbone attached; a boneless one is pure loin.
Both are quick-cooking and mild, which is the appeal and also the hazard. For the broad how-to that covers all loin chops, see pork loin chops; this page is about the leanest of them and how to keep it from drying out.
Pork shoulder chops are chops cut from the shoulder end of the pig rather than the loin. They are also sold as blade chops or pork steaks, and they are a different animal from the lean loin chops most people picture when they hear pork chops.
The difference is fat and connective tissue. Shoulder chops are marbled, a little chewy, and threaded with collagen, which makes them tougher than a loin chop but far more flavorful and much harder to dry out.
For the general chop basics, see pork chops. This page is about what makes the shoulder version its own thing.
Where to find pork chops: Pork chops are usually found in the asian section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group: Pork chops are a member of the Pork Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 3 ounce | 85 grams |
| 1 chop, excluding refuse (yield from 1 raw chop, with refuse, weighing 151 g) | 74 grams |
There are 291 recipes using and its varieties.
Grilled pork chops marinated 6 hours in olive oil, white wine vinegar, garlic, peppercorns, bay leaf, and dry mustard. A simple Mediterranean-style marinade for thick-cut chops.
A seasoning mix that originated in Jamaica, jerk is popular throughout the Caribbean in the preparation of meats such as pork and chicken for grilling. Jerk seasoning typically includes chilies, onion, allspice, and thyme.
Grilled pork chops marinated in soy sauce, lemon juice, chili sauce, and brown sugar. A sweet-savory-spicy glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the grill.
Pan-roasted pork loin chops coated in a bold homemade dry rub of chili powder, cumin, garlic, and oregano, marinated overnight, then seared and roasted. A simple spice-rubbed dinner with big Southwestern flavor.
Delicious pork chops are seared in a hot skillet, sugar snap peas are cooked in a flavorful broth, which makes this one-skillet meal that's quick, easy to prepare and perfect for a week day dinner.
German-style pork chops braised in beer and beef broth with sliced onions, thickened into a rich gravy. Served with Brussels sprouts and boiled potatoes.
Crockpot pork chops and beans: tender chops slow-cooked down into a sweet-tangy bath of pork and beans, ketchup, mustard, and onion. A four-ingredient, dump-and-go dinner.
Tasty, easy to prepare, brandy recipe for boneless pork chops. Best with 1" thick chops, a leafy spinach salad with walnuts, rasberry vinaigrette dressing with a dash of balsimic vinegar, and a glass of dark earthy Merlot. One of my favorite discoveries.
Thin-sliced pork chops browned and simmered in soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame seeds, then tossed with tender snow pea pods. A homestyle pork stir-fry that's comforting and straightforward.
Low-fat, super lean pork loin chops, glazed with tangy and sweet honey Dijon sauce and baked until perfect.
Give your pork chops a friend with this easy to follow crockpot recipe that will earn a spot in your cookbook.
An easy rendition of a weekday ready pork chop dinner covered in a tangy cranberry and onion sauce.
Easy and comforting weekday dinner. Pork chops smothered in a tangy paprika cream sauce.
Let the aroma of this succulent dish into your home and have the kids eager to help you around the kitchen!
Stuffed with apples the thick pork chops create an elegant impressive main dish. Topped off with an easy Apple Jelly glaze makes this recipe a winner.
Serve these succulent baked German pork chops over a bed of rice or with some good bread to soak up all the yumminess.
Pretty darn easy and tasty. I had all ingredients on hand and didn't have to worry about a trip to the store. I didn't use any cayenne because we have small children, but it still came out great. The sauce was tasty over rice!
These deliciously stuffed pork chops are juicy and moist, serve with mashed potatoes or a refreshing veggie salad.
Sweet and sour pork chops with sweet potatoes: braised pork chops in a brown sugar cider vinegar cinnamon glaze, with canned sweet potatoes warmed through. A one-skillet dinner in 60 minutes.
Meaty loin chops cooked in a tropical barbecue sauce, sweetened with pineapple. A taste of the islands.
Baked pork chops with bacon and egg fried rice. Browned on the stovetop and finished in the oven for tender pork.
First time I've paired pork chops with dried fruit. During braising the apricots and prunes plumped up and added a nice mellow fruitiness which paired with the tender pork perfectly.
Lean and boneless pan fried pork loin chops cook up in a flash. Glazed with Asian-inspired flavors, this juicy quick & easy pork chop recipe is a quick and easy weeknight family hit!
It's not the double-down, but it's as close as you can get! The ultimate crunch and moistest lean pork chops you will ever experience.
A crispy not soggy coating highlights this quick and easy rendition of pan-fried pork chops.
Easy crock pot pork chops, slow cooked and smothered with apples and cabbage. A German-style slow cooker pork chop recipe.
Pork or veal schnitzel with a mushroom sauce topped with bacon. Perfect for Oktoberfest or any time you are hankering for German fare.
Ginger plum pork chops with plum preserves, ground ginger, and apple cider vinegar. A 5-ingredient, one-skillet pork dinner ready in 25 minutes.
Chili-dusted pan-seared pork chops served with a fresh corn, black bean, and tomato salad tossed in lime juice and cilantro. A colorful, protein-packed weeknight dinner ready in 35 minutes.
One-skillet pork chops with mushrooms and green beans in a creamy rosemary mushroom soup sauce. A quick weeknight dinner that goes from stovetop to table in 40 minutes, served over fettuccine.
Pork chops in Dijon mustard sauce with tarragon and sour cream, served over egg noodles. A quick French-inspired skillet dinner with a creamy, tangy pan sauce.
30-minute pork chop dinner with yellow rice, salsa-style tomatoes, and fresh cilantro. A five-ingredient weeknight meal ready before takeout would arrive.
Leave the barbecue alone and turn on the oven for this scrumptious casserole made with succulent pork chops and savory potatoes.
Baked pork chops topped with rice-stuffed green pepper rings, cream of mushroom soup, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. A retro casserole that doubles as dinner and presentation.
Slow cooker pork chops layered with onion, red bell pepper, and ketchup for a tangy, fall-apart tender crockpot dinner. Just 5 ingredients and minimal prep.
Cracker-crusted pork cutlets pan-fried and finished in a fresh orange juice and thyme sauce. No egg wash needed, just press and chill for a crust that sticks on its own.
Pork chops with apples in a sweet-and-sour sauce of red wine vinegar, honey, chicken broth, and tomato paste. A French-inspired skillet dinner in 40 minutes.
Pork chops over easy slow-cooks dredged and browned chops in chicken and rice soup until fork-tender. A set-and-forget weeknight dinner ready when you walk in the door.
Pork chops bake over a bed of rice with sliced tomatoes and onions in this simple one-dish dinner. The juices from the meat and vegetables flavor the rice as it cooks.
Stuffed pork loin chops with an apple, mushroom, and raisin bread crumb filling, browned and baked until tender. A cozy dinner for two, served with applesauce on the side.
Peachy pork chops stuffed with a sage and peach bread dressing, then baked over more stuffing with a peach preserve glaze. Sunday dinner with sweet-savory Southern charm.
Fiery pork and bamboo shoots over crispy rice noodles: stir-fried slivered pork with winter bamboo, Thai chili paste, and ginger served over a cloud of deep-fried puffy rice stick noodles.
Grilled pork chops marinated in Italian dressing, white wine, and sage for a simple Tuscan-inspired dinner. Five ingredients, big flavor, and a buttery pan sauce that takes minutes to make.
Southern-style pork chops simmered in a creamy peanut butter mushroom gravy until fork-tender. A comforting one-pan supper ready in just over an hour.
Pounded pork chops breaded with ginger and allspice, deep-fried until golden, and crowned with crispy fried apple rings. A warm, spiced pork and apple dinner that brings fall flavors to the table.
Island barbecue pork chops broiled with a tropical glaze of pineapple juice, vanilla, allspice, and garlic mixed into barbecue sauce. A Caribbean-inspired weeknight dinner with just 6 ingredients.
Brown sugar-dredged pork chops braised in a honey-soy-sesame sauce with onions and green pepper. Finished with toasted sesame seeds for nutty crunch. Easy one-dish pork dinner.
Cajun-style grilled pork chops rubbed with a triple-pepper spice blend of white, red, and black pepper plus onion powder. Just 6 ingredients for bold, smoky flavor.
