How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Pork Chops

Juicy, easy and packed with flavor: we’re talking about your next delicious dinner, aka bacon-wrapped pork chops. The humble chops are wrapped in bacon which bastes the pork during baking for a moist texture and a smoky taste. They’re broiled right at the end with a little barbecue sauce to make the pork chops tangy and sweet.

The recipe calls for boneless pork chops—pick some up the next time they’re on sale and keep them in the freezer to make this recipe anytime. (Here are three ways to safely thaw frozen pork chops.) The chops bake up in about a half hour and are easy to put together with bacon strips and seasonings.

Easy Bacon-Wrapped Pork Chops Recipe

The chops need only a few minutes of prep time and are finished baking in about 25-30 minutes. The recipe serves 4.

Ingredients

TMB Studio

• 4 boneless pork chops (6 ounces each)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 8 strips thin-sliced bacon
• Toothpicks
• 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce

Editor’s Tip: Here are the best bacon brands, according to our Test Kitchen pros.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the chops

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a small baking sheet with foil. Spray the foil with nonstick spray. Use a sharp knife to make small slits in the fat layer on the pork chops, about one inch apart. (This helps prevent the meat from curling as it cooks.) Sprinkle the chops on both sides with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Add the bacon

TMB Studio

Wrap two strips of bacon around each pork chop; secure them in place with toothpicks. Place the chops seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 3: Bake

Bake the pork chops uncovered for 20-25 minutes, flipping them over once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center reads 145°.

Step 4: Broil with sauce

TMB Studio

Switch the oven to the broil setting and move the rack so that the pork chops sit about six inches below the heat. Broil the chops for 1-2 minutes until the bacon is crisp; then flip them and repeat on the other side. Finally, brush one side with barbecue sauce, then broil the chops for 1-2 minutes more, to caramelize the sauce.

Step 5: Serve

TMB Studio

Remove the toothpicks from the pork chops, and serve them while they’re nice and hot. Next, learn how to make Crockpot smothered pork chops and Vietnamese pork chops.

How to Tell When Pork Chops Are Done

A digital thermometer is your best bet to cook pork chops to the perfect temperature. Pork is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature between 145° and 160°. In this recipe, the chops are baked just until they reach 145°—that way they can continue to cook from residual heat and for a few minutes under the broiler without getting dried out.

If you see a little bit of pink in the center of the chops, don’t worry—they’re safe to eat.

What to Serve with Bacon-Wrapped Pork Chops

These smoky, bacony chops go really well with steak-cut French fries or creamy mashed potatoes. Pair them with a hearty veggie side dish like roasted Brussels sprouts or grilled corn on the cob. And folks will be thrilled to find a basket of warm buttermilk biscuits with honey butter to enjoy with the pork chops.

Tips for Making Bacon-Wrapped Pork Chops

What kind of bacon do you use for pork chops?

While we love our thick-cut bacon, it will be too chewy here. The best type of bacon for these pork chops is thinly-sliced: they still have plenty of fat to keep the chops juicy, and will also crisp up better under the broiler.

How can you make bacon-wrapped pork chops your own?

While they’re delicious simply seasoned with salt and pepper, try rubbing in other spices for more layers of flavor: garlic powder, onion powder, hot paprika or chipotle chili powder for a touch of smoky heat. Rub some brown sugar into the chops before adding the bacon; it will caramelize under the heat to add a little sweetness. And of course, there are dozens of barbecue sauce varieties to try, including mustard-based South Carolina style and molasses-sweetened Kansas City style.

Can you make bacon-wrapped pork chops ahead of time?

Yes! Once the bacon-wrapped chops are finished baking, allow them to cool to room temperature. Wrap them tightly in a dish and store them in the fridge for up to five days.

How do you reheat bacon-wrapped pork chops without drying them out?

To reheat the chops, place them in a baking dish and add a little liquid—stock, water or even apple juice—to help them stay moist. Cover the pan tightly in foil and place in a 350° oven for about 30 minutes, until they’re warmed through.