28 Recipes That Deliver Juicy, Tender Pork Chops Every Time

published Sep 11, 2023

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Air Fryer Pork Chops — Credit: Joe Lingeman
Air Fryer Pork Chops

There’s a reason we love slotting pork chops into our meal plan. Much like chicken breasts, this inexpensive, mild-mannered cut of meat is super-versatile. It can be cooked a ton of different ways — in the oven, on the stovetop, over a grill, or in the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or air fryer — and it pairs well with ingredients and flavors that range from roast veggies to apples to mustard and soy sauce. Let’s not forget that it’s also pretty quick-cooking.

In the grocery store, loin chops and rib chops are the most common cuts you’ll see in the meat case. Both work well for just about any of these recipes, though it’s worth seeking out slightly tougher cuts of meat, such as blade or sirloin chops if you’re planning on using the slow cooker — they will end up tender and delicious.

Personally, I like to cook my pork chops in my cast-iron skillet, but whatever your favorite method is, we have a recipe for you.

Oven-Cooked Pork Chops

If you’re looking for set-it-and-forget-it ease, crank up the oven, toss the pork chops on a sheet pan, set the timer, and go read a book until everything is ready.

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Crispy, Cheesy Sheet Pan Pork Chops

Inspired by shake 'n bake pork chops, this nostalgic throwback is turned into a sheet pan supper will the help of Parmesan cheese and panko breadcrumbs

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Tender & Juicy Oven-Baked Pork Chops Recipe

The easiest recipe for tender, juicy pork chops that turn out perfectly every time. All you need? Cast iron skillet and your oven. No brining necessary!

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Sage-Brined Pork Chops with Brown Sugar Glaze

Whether you’re planning a low-key holiday meal or sneaking in a midweek dinner date amid other holiday plans, put these tender pork chops glazed with brown sugar on your list. It’s one of those dishes that is so easy and so simple, and yet feels like a special feast all its own.

Stovetop Pork Chops

For that crispy-sear outside and tender inside, nothing beats a skillet on the stove. The extra benefit: It’s super fast.

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Easy Pan-Fried Pork Chops

All you need is your handy cast iron skillet and few key techiniques to make crispy, juicy pan-fried pork chops.

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Pork Chops in Port Wine Sauce

These pork chops would also be great served with rice pilaf or some baked sweet potatoes.

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Rhubarb and Brown Sugar Skillet Pork Chops

Rhubarb is often thought of as an ingredient for sweets, and while I would never turn down a slice of strawberry-rhubarb pie, rhubarb can do double duty in the world of savory foods as well.

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Pork Chops with Sweet-and-Sour Cabbage and Apples

The vendor we spoke to claimed Stayman apples were more in-season than other varieties because they could withstand cold weather. Ours were flavorful and pleasantly tart but a wee bit soft.

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Juicy, Crispy Schnitzel

Schnitzel is so surprisingly fast to prepare that you’ll likely find yourself making it any time the craving strikes.

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Pork Schnitzel with Crispy Rice Coating

When I was flipping through chef Jacques Pépins’s newest cookbook, Heart & Soul in the Kitchen, this recipe immediately jumped out to me. I love crispy pork schnitzel, but using rice cakes as an alternative to bread crumbs or flour for the breading? I needed to try this immediately.

One-Skillet Pork Chops

For an even easier stovetop experience, use one of these recipes, which keeps everything contained to a single pan.

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One-Skillet Salsa Pork Chops

Pork chops are simmered in chunky salsa that's punched up with a splash of balsamic, so each bite is just the right balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy.

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Easy Skillet Pork Chops with Apples

These thick cider-brined chops are tender, juicy, and practically foolproof, and are nestled atop wedges of sweet apples and onion.

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One-Pan Basil-Plum Pork Chops

Tender pork chops roast with sweet plums for the ultimate summer skillet meal.

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Maple Ginger Pork and Sweet Potatoes

This is the kind of dinner that’s meant for cool fall evenings. Sweet, spicy pork chops are nestled in caramelized sweet potatoes and red onion, making for a complete meal worthy of a casual dinner party or a cozy Sunday night dinner at home.

Saucy Pork Chops

Dry pork chops are a thing of the past with these saucy recipes. Give the meat a good sear, and then let it soak in one of these delicious sauces.

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Easy Creamy Mustard Pork Chops

Tender, browned pork chops bathed in a creamy mustard sauce.

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Whole30 Creamy Mushroom Smothered Pork Chops

Brown and juicy pork chops are covered in a creamy rosemary and mushroom sauce for an impressively easy stovetop dinner.

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30-Minute Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pork Chops

An easy recipe for boneless pork chops cooked in a creamy garlic mushroom sauce on the stovetop.

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Cilantro Lime Pork Chops

These cilantro lime pork chops are bursting with bold flavor, and make for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

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Pork Chop Marsala

Skillet pork chops with a mushroom and marsala wine sauce.

Grilled Pork Chops

There’s something about an open flame that just makes meat taste extra delicious.

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Grill Pork Chops

A quick soak in an easy brine makes for perfect grilled pork chops every single time.

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Easy Grilled Pork Chops with Sweet & Tangy Mustard Glaze

Brine the chops while the grill heats for the juiciest serving of pork, and finish with a sweet and tangy mustard glaze.

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Easy Rosemary-Rubbed Pork Chops

If you have a grill pan, this is a great time to use it. But if not, simply cook the pork in a heavy skillet such as cast iron.

Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Break out the slow cooker any time you don’t want to turn on the oven, but you’re still looking for that extra-tender, slow-heat taste.

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Cook Pork Chops in the Slow Cooker

Pork chops cook on top of a layer of vegetables in the slow cooker, resulting in an incredibly flavorful, hands-off meal.

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Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Chops

These seasoned pork chops fit the bill perfectly with their sweet and savory cranberry riff.

Instant Pot and Air Fryer Pork Chops

Relative newcomers to the kitchen appliance game, both the air fryer and the Instant Pot have proven themselves more than capable of making a fantastic-tasting chop.

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Air Fryer Pork Chops

Thanks to the convection heat of the air fryer, these breaded pork chops cook up crisp and juicy every time.

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Tender and Juicy Instant Pot Pork Chops

How to make fork-tender pork chops and an onion gravy in the Instant Pot.

Stir-Fries with Pork Chops

If you’re looking to change things up a little, try using pork chops in a stir fry. The thinly sliced, marinated meat, dusted in cornstarch cooks up crispy and delicious in mere minutes.

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Pork and Cabbage Stir-Fry

This amazing cooking technique can cross borders, making dishes such as this tender pork cooked with heaps of shredded green cabbage and sweet apple slices possible with just as much success and ease.

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Pork and Broccoli Rice Bowls

Rice bowls are filling and versatile; they’re one of my go-to meals when I want to get dinner on the table fast. This version, scaled down so there’s just enough for two, takes its inspiration from the takeout favorite of pork and broccoli.

Stuffed Pork Chops

For an especially delicious treat, try stuffing a pork chop. This combo of pine nuts and mushrooms adds an earthy flavors to the mild pork that just has to be tried.

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Pork Chops Stuffed with Pine Nuts, Porcini Mushrooms, and Pecorino

Pair it with a crisp white wine and a simple side salad for all-out dinner bliss.

This article originally published on The Kitchn. See it there: 28 Recipes That Deliver Juicy, Tender Pork Chops Every Time