Pan Seared Pork Chops

5 from 1 vote

Learn to make the most flavorful and moist pork chops using these easy tips! A cast iron pan create the best crust on pork chops. Top with a garlic herb butter or mango salsa for a delicious meal.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 344kcal

Author: Michelle Miller

Equipment

Ingredients

4 bone-in pork chops
Kosher salt to taste
black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon pastured butter
mango salsa optional, to serve

Herb Garlic Butter (optional)

1 tablespoon pastured butter
1 clove garlic minced
1 tablespoon fresh herbs rosemary and thyme recommended

Instructions

Dab pork chops with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Generously season the pork chops with kosher salt and black pepper.
Add oil and butter to a skillet, and heat over medium high heat until the butter has melted.
Add the pork chops into the hot oil, and sear the first side for 2 minutes, until a deep golden brown color is reached.
Flip the chops, and cook the other side to a nice golden color.
Continue cooking the chops until they’ve reached an internal temperature of 135º F in the thickest part of the chop. Flip the pork chop over a couple times for even cooking.
The USDA recommends pork be cooked to 145º F, but I find that to dry out the pork. Remove pork chops from the skillet at 135º F, and the temperature will continue to rise while the meat rests.

Garlic Herb Butter (optional)

After removing the pork chops from the skillet, add in an additional tablespoon of butter.
Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and herbs, and saute for 2-3 minutes, until the garlic has begun to brown.
Drizzle the butter over the cooked pork chops prior to serving.

Notes

PORK CHOPS WITH MANGO SALSA

Pork and mango are a match made in heaven! Try this Mango Salsa Recipe on top of your pork chops.

Prior to cooking the pork chops, make a batch on Mango Salsa. Use only salt and pepper on your pork chops.

How long are cooked pork chops good in the fridge?

To store leftover pork chops, add them to an airtight container, and refrigerate them for up to 4 days.

To reheat pork chops, add avocado oil to a hot skillet and heat them for about 3 minutes per side.

Is it better to pan fry pork chops in butter or oil?

Both butter and oil are great options for searing pork chops. Butter adds a great flavor to pork chops, but when you cook butter at high temperatures, it can burn.

Adding avocado oil and butter prevents the butter from scorching. Avocado oil has a high smoke point and doesn't degrade when used for high temperature cooking.

How do you fry pork chops to make them tender?

Using bone-in pork chops lends to a more tender chop.

Additionally, using a meat thermometer, and stopping the cooking process at 135º F will ensure the pork doesn't overcook and become tough.

Third, especially if using boneless pork chops, consider brining the pork chops. Read about the easy process below!

How to brine pork chops

If you're using boneless pork chops, consider a salt water brine prior to cooking them if you have time.

Soaking pork in salt water tenderizes the meat and infuses it with flavor. This prevents the pork from drying out when cooked.

To brine 2 pork chops (less than 1 pound):

4 cups water

3 tablespoons Kosher salt

Optional: fresh chopped rosemary or thyme

In a large storage container, add water and salt, and stir to dissolve the salt.

Add the pork chops, and add a lid or cover the container with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, up to overnight.

Remove the pork chops from the brine and pat them dry with paper towels prior to seasoning them.

Nutrition