Updated on October 13th, 2022
Not many may agree, but pork chops can be a really phenomenal choice for dinner and one very underappreciated meal. It’s not steak, but pork still finds the sweet spot of being almost universally adored, relatively inexpensive, and easy to prepare for everything from weeknight dinners to fantastic dinner parties. Depending on how well you cook pork, the results can be satisfying.
In this article, we’ll show you how to cook pork chops on the stove so that you get absolutely delicious results. Also, look out for helpful tips and suggestions to ensure a smooth and easy cooking process.
Pork Chops Nutrition Facts
Tips for Cooking Pork Chops
Cooking pork chops is generally made better when you have some “life-saving” tips at your disposal. These tips could literally mean the difference between basic and great-tasting pork chops, so pay close attention:
Don’t cook straight from the refrigerator – Chops should not be cooked directly from the refrigerator. Remove pork chops from the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before cooking them.
The time spent outside the refrigerator allows the meat to come to room temperature, allowing the pork to cook more uniformly throughout. You can use this method with different kinds of meat cuts, including pork tenderloin and steak.
Use salt – Half an hour before cooking, season the chops with salt. As a result, the salt gets a chance to improve the meat’s flavor and texture. Pork chops are considerably lean; as a result, seasoning them with salt before cooking is vital to arrive at the best flavor.
Add some spice – Spices and a pinch of flour should be rubbed into the chops. This is when your preferred spice rub comes in handy. You can also use any great spice blend of your choice. Add a pinch of flour to whatever you choose. A delicious crust can be achieved by rubbing a small bit of flour over the chops.
Sear the pork – Sear one side first, then flip and cover with a lid. This approach is quite useful and may be used to prepare a variety of meats other than pork, and it aids in keeping the meat as juicy as possible.
After browning one side of the chops, flip them, reduce the heat to low, and cover the skillet with a lid. The second side will slowly turn golden brown, and the heat from the pan will gently cook the middle because the lid is on. The chops remain moist and soft as a result of the gentle cooking method.
How to tell when pork chops are done – When an internal thermometer reads 145° F, the pork is done. Depending on the thickness of the chops, you may need to add or subtract a few minutes from the cook times in the recipe you’re following. If your chops aren’t all the same thickness or size, remove the thinner chops first, a few minutes before the thicker chops. It’s better to check the temperature of each chop as they cook and remove them as soon as they’re done.
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Cooking Thick Pork Chops on the Stove
Follow this straightforward process to cook pork chops on the stove:
- Begin by thoroughly drying your chops and liberally seasoning them with Italian, salt, and pepper.
- For a lovely golden sear, use cast iron, and it has the best heat conductivity and will give the pork chops a uniform hue.
- Pour olive oil in a pan and heat at a medium-high level. Add your chops when the pan is sizzling hot, not a moment earlier.
- Sear the pork chops over medium-high heat without moving them.
- The sear will be disrupted if you move the pork chops around or peek below them while they’re cooking. You can flip the pork chops after the initial side is golden brown. Sear for no more than 5 minutes.
- If your pork chops are sticking to the pan, give them a little more time. They usually release from the pan when they’re crisp on the outside and ready to flip. It takes roughly 4 minutes per side to do this.
- Cook until browned on the other side. Remove them from the flame and set them aside to cool before cutting into them.
- You can now serve and enjoy your freshly cooked pork chops
This process for cooking pork chops on the stovetop is pretty easy and delivers great-tasting results.
Cooking Time for Pork Chops on the Stove
Follow the guidelines in the table below to know how to time your cooking:
| Cooking method | Cooking time |
| Stovetop cooking | 9 – 10 minutes |
| Resting the pork chops | 5 – 7 minutes |
Easy Pan-Fried Pork Chops (2 to 4 Servings)
Ingredients
- 2 bone-in pork chops, preferably rib chops (1 ½ inch thick, 8 to 10 ounces each)
- 3 cups of water at room temperature
- ½ cup of kosher salt
- ¼ cup of packed brown sugar (light or dark brown)
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and smashed
Instructions
- With a fork, tenderize the pork chops. On a big platter or baking sheet, arrange the pork chops. (Place a wire rack on a baking sheet if desired.) Prick the chops with a fork all over, about ⅛ inch deep. Prick the other side of the pork chops as well.
- The pork chops should be brined next. In a gallon zip-top bag, combine the water, salt, and brown sugar and whisk to dissolve the salt and sugar. Seal the bag after adding the pork chops. Place the bag on a rimmed baking sheet and arrange the pork chops in a single layer on top. Keep the pork chops in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours before serving.
- Using paper towels, blot the pork chops dry after removing them from the brine.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it’s hot and smoking. Cook for 1 minute each on both sides, check that the pork chops begin to brown, and release fat into the pan.
- Reduce the heat to medium Cook for another 8 to 10 minutes, rotating the chops every minute, until the thickest section registers 135°F.
- Turn off the stove. Butter, thyme, and garlic are added to the pan. Pour melted butter over the pork chops with a big spoon. Baste the pork chops once more before flipping them. Rest the pork chops in the pan for 5–7 minutes, or until they reach 140–145°F.
- Serve the pork chops with the butter sauce. Make sure the pork chops are sliced across the grain.
Notes
This recipe for cooking thick pork chops on the stove offers deliciously satisfying results, and the cooking process is easy to follow. If you need more insightful ideas on how to cook pork chops, then you should definitely check out this video recipe.
