Picture the components of your favorite French onion soup recipe—loaded on top of a pork chop. That’s the basic concept behind French onion pork chops, which is why it’s such a cozy crowd-pleaser amongst so many other favorite pork chop recipes. Between the caramelized onions (the key to perfecting this dish), the thick and juicy pork chop, and the gooey cheese, you’ll be hard-pressed to find any leftovers after serving this for dinner.
Ingredients for French Onion Pork Chops
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Onions
- Boneless pork loin chops
- Fresh thyme
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Pepper
- All-purpose flour
- Beef stock
- Gruyere or Swiss cheese
Directions
Step 1: Saute the onions
In a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, heat butter and 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until deep golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove and keep warm.
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Step 2: Cook the chops
Sprinkle chops with thyme, salt, garlic powder and pepper. In the same skillet, cook pork chops in the remaining 1 tablespoon oil until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Remove from pan. Return onions to skillet. Stir in flour until blended; gradually whisk in stock. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Return chops to skillet.
Bake, uncovered, until a thermometer inserted in pork reads 145°, 8 to 10 minutes. Top with cheese; bake until cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes longer. If desired, top with additional fresh thyme before serving.
How do you store leftover French onion pork chops?
Place any leftovers into an airtight container in the refrigerator. According to the USDA, cooked pork chops may be kept for three to four days. When it’s time to reheat them, your main goal is to keep them from drying out—place them in a skillet and add a little broth or oil to create some moisture along with the heat (you can do this on the stovetop or in the oven).
Can you freeze French onion pork chops?
Yes, cooked pork chops can be frozen for up to three months. Once they’ve cooled, place them in an airtight container (like a freezer bag or silicone pouch) in your freezer. When it’s time to eat them, thaw the pork chops in the fridge overnight and reheat them by following the instructions above.
French Onion Pork Chops Tips
What’s the best kind of pork chop to use for French onion pork chops?
Pork chops come from the loin of the pig, which runs from the animal’s hip to the shoulder. Thick, bone-in pork chops have more flavor, though they may take a bit longer to reach 145° than a thinner or boneless cut. For even more flavor, choose chops with a little marbling.
How can you make French onion pork chops your own?
The first place to play around with personalizing your recipe is to consider different types of cheese, such as provolone or mozzarella. Some people like to add a few springs of rosemary along with the thyme. Finally, adding a little splash of Worcestershire sauce into the caramelized onions wouldn’t be unheard of for an extra pop of flavor, either.
What do you serve with French onion pork chops?
The sky’s the limit, so choose your favorite side dishes. For instance, mashed potatoes and green beans amandine is a classic combination. How about pairing it with one of these seasonal green salads and dinner rolls? And you can never go wrong with homemade spiced applesauce as an accompaniment.
