When you want a hearty dinner fast, quick-cooking cuts of meat are your ally. This recipe for pan-seared pork chops totally fits the dinner bill. With a dash of salt and pepper and some Italian seasoning, our recipe couldn’t be easier.
The Best Cuts of Pork for Searing
This recipe calls for 6-ounce, boneless pork chops, which are easy to find at most grocery stores. Many pork chops come from the loin, but are cut in different ways, and have different characteristics. Rib chops are generally tender, and would work perfectly in this recipe. Sirloin chops could end up a little bit tougher, so they wouldn’t be a first choice.
Have bone-in chops? Those will work too, but they’ll take a little bit longer to cook. If you like your pork cooked through, thinner chops will work best for you. If you like a nice pink center, opt for thicker chops.
Ingredients for Pan-Seared Pork Chops
- Boneless pork loin chops
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
Directions
Step 1: Season the pork
Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
Editor’s Tip: If you want to get extra creative with your chops, try one of our make-at-home seasoning blends in place of the Italian seasoning.
Step 2: Sear the pork chops
Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat, until hot. Add olive oil and make sure it coats the whole pan. When the oil shimmers, add the pork chops.
Cook until a thermometer inserted in the center of one of the chops reads 140°F, around 5 minutes per side.
Step 3: Rest the chops
Let the chops rest in the pan for 5 minutes, which should allow the temperature to rise to 145°, the USDA-recommended temperature for pork. This step helps ensure that the chops are perfectly cooked and juicy.
How to Store Pan-Seared Pork Chops
Store pork chops in the fridge for three or four days. For ultimate freshness, keep them in glass storage containers with snap-on lids.
Pan-Seared Pork Chops Tips
Can you use other types of oil to pan-sear pork chops?
There are lots of kinds of fat that can be used for searing pork chops, but you want to use something that can stand up to medium-high heat, such as grapeseed, avocado, sunflower or canola. If you have coconut oil or ghee, those can be used, too.
How can you tell when pork chops are done?
Use a good instant read thermometer to tell if meat is property cooked. There are tons of options, but our Test Kitchen swears by the Thermapen.
How can you make sure pan-seared pork chops are juicy?
Don’t skip the 5-minute rest after searing!
What to serve with pan-seared pork chops?
Pair chops with almost any vegetable dish or starch. Since this is a quick-cooking recipe, you might want to serve it with equally quick side dishes, such as a green salad and some garlic bread, buttered noodles or white rice.
