We make the marinade in the morning, go to the office, and come back home at night to cook and savor the most delectable pork chops – well, that’s a fancy idea. But an idea that you could very easily put to practice. All you need to know are fine details about the art of cooking them. How many times we flip the pork chops is one such fine detail we should know.
The pork chops should be flipped when the first side is browned, which takes 5 to 10 minutes depending on the thickness of the pork. You have to continue cooking till the other side is browned and a thermometer inserted horizontally into the meat registers 130°F, another 5 to 10 minutes. The grill heat must be 400°F for boneless and 450°F for bone-in chops.
Pork chops – meat cuts taken from loin cuts of usually rib parts of a pig – are one of the most commonly consumed meats across the world. In the USA, for instance, pork chops account for 10% of the total pork consumption in a year. Pork chops are generally served as a single, individual portion and can also be served with accompaniments like applesauce, vegetables, and other sides.
Table of Contents
- What are the Different Kinds of Pork Chops?
- How to Cook Pork Chops in Oven?
- Baking Pork Chops in an Oven
- Cooking Pan-Seared Pork Chops in an Oven
- How to Grill Pork Chops?
- How to Cook Pork Chops Without Drying Them Out?
- How Long Does It Take to Cook Pork Chops?
- Which is better – Boneless or Bone-in Pork Chops?
- Where To Buy Pork Chops – My Personal Opinion
What are the Different Kinds of Pork Chops?
Depending on where the cut has been made in the loin region (that is, from the rib to shoulder), pork chops can be classified into different kinds such as Porterhouse Pork Chops, Ribeye Pork Chops, Sirloin Pork Chops, New York Pork Chops and Blade Chops.
- Porterhouse Pork Chops: They are chops taken from the lower back, that is, just behind the rib chop. They have a characteristic T-bone shape. These chops include a lot of meat as well as a bit of tenderloin meat.
- Ribeye Pork Chops: These chops originate in the center of the loin in the rib area and include some back and rib bone.
- Sirloin Pork Chops: These chops come from the area around the hip and they often include part of the hip bone.
- New York Pork Chops: These chops are sometimes called Center Cut Chops. They are boneless and located above the loin chops, toward the head.
The 1¼ inch-thick top loin chop is also called an “America’s Cut.”
- Blade Chops: They are cut from the beginning of the loin in the shoulder area. They may contain some blade bone as well as back-rib bone.
Blade chops are usually thicker and more marbled. They often are butterflied and sold as pork loin country-style ribs.
Note: Most of these different kinds of chops have the same cooking time. The time or length of cooking actually depends on the thickness of the chop.
How to Cook Pork Chops in Oven?
Pork chops can be cooked by keeping the marinated or brined chops for about 15 to 20 minutes in an oven preheated to a temperature of 400°F, flipping the chops during the halfway point.
Pork chops can be cooked two ways in an oven – either a simple baking process using a baking sheet or a pan-seared method using a pan or skillet. While the first procedure is an easier one, the second one guarantees you an enhanced, tempting flavor. Let’s look at both methods in detail.
Baking Pork Chops in an Oven
Although it is possible to simply bake pork chops in an oven without brining or marinating the chops prior to baking, we strongly recommend you marinate or brine the chops for getting that special flavor.
Step 1: Brine or Marinate the Chops
If you are brining the chops, follow these steps.
- Place the pork chops in a large dish.
- Make a solution of 3 cups of water and 3 tablespoons of water.
- Keep the chops fully immersed in the saline solution.
- Add peppercorns, garlic paste, bay leaves, and other spices you like for flavor.
- Refrigerate this mix for 2 to 4 hours
Alternatively, if you are marinating the chops, follow these steps.
- Place the pork chops in a plastic bag that can be sealed (You can use a baking dish as well)
- Make your marinade by combining ingredients such as salt, peppercorns, bay leaves, garlic paste, and other spices you like for flavor.
- Combine the pork chops with the marinade
- Seal the plastic bag and refrigerator for 2 to 8 hours.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 400 for boneless pieces and 450-475 for bone-in pieces.
Step 3: Season the Chops
After taking the brined or marinated pork chops out of the refrigerator, you can bring them to room temperature. Meanwhile, you can season it with olive oil and other spices or herbs you prefer.,
Step 4: Place the Chops on Baking Sheet in the Oven
Using tongs, you can place the seasoned pork chops on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. You have to keep this sheet in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 5: Flip the Pork Chops
During the halfway point, that is, 5 to 10 minutes, you check whether one side of the chop has been browned and if it has, then flip the pork chops to get the other sides browned.
Step 6: Insert Thermometer
After a period of another 5 to 10 minutes, insert an instant thermometer horizontally into the thickest part of the meat. If it registers a temperature of 140-145°F, the chops are cooked well and through.
Step 7: Serve after Cooling
Once the chops are properly baked, get them out of the oven. Allow the pork chops to cool down for 5 to 10 minutes. After that, you can serve it with a variety of sides.
Cooking Pan-Seared Pork Chops in an Oven
‘Begin on the Stove, End in the Oven’ is regarded by many people as the best way to cook pork chops. What they mean is that frying the pork chops a little bit before transferring them to the oven will enhance the final flavor of the pork dish. Let’s see how this is done.
Step 1: Brine or Marinate the Pork Chops
Similar to the method of simple baking of pork chops we discussed above, you can begin the process by either brining or marinating the pork.
To brine, you have to put the pork chops in a saline solution that is also mixed with other spices and keep it in the refrigerator for 1 to 4 hours.
To marinate the pork, you have to combine the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl, apply the marinade on the chops, put them in a sealed plastic bag, and refrigerate them for 2 to 8 hours.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to a temperature of 400°F. Place the pan in the oven to heat it up.
Alternatively, you can heat up the pan on the stove as well.
Step 3: Season the Pork Chops
Take the brined or marinated out of the refrigerator and season it with olive oil or other spices you like to add for your favor.
Step 4: Fry it in the Pan
Once the pan is hot, remove it from the oven(Don’t forget to wear oven mitts). Using tongs, place the seasoned chops in the oven.
You don’t have to add oil to fry the pork chops since it’s not a regular fry. Plus, the chops are already seasoned with olive oil.
You could see the outside of the chops starting to sear and sizzle when they touch the pan.
Step 5: Put the Pan Inside the Oven
After the initial frying in the pan, place the pan inside the oven. Let it get baked for 4 to 5 minutes.
Step 6: Flip the Pork Chops
After the first 4 to 5 minutes, check whether one side of the chops has been browned, then flip the chops. Wait for 4 to 5 minutes to get the other side also browned.
Step 7: Serve after Cooling
Once the pork chops are cooked well and through, you can take them out of the oven, cool them down for 5 minutes, and then serve them along with some sides.
How to Grill Pork Chops?
Pork chops can be grilled by subjecting marinated pork chops to first direct heat (2 to 3 minutes) and then indirect heat (8 to 12 minutes) on a grill preheated up to 400°F. Let’s look at the process step by step.
- Step 1: Make the Marinade
The ingredients to make the marinade are:
- Bone-in Pork chops – 4 thick pieces
- Olive Oil – ½ cup
- Salt – 2 teaspoons
- Brown Sugar – 2 tablespoons
- Finely chopped garlic – 2 large cloves
- Onion powder – 2 teaspoons
- Soy sauce – ¼ cup
- Vinegar – 2 teaspoons
- Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon
Note: You can add other spices or herbs according to the desired flavor of your choice.
- Step 2: Marinate the Pork Chops
After mixing the marinade thoroughly with the pork chops, you have to marinate it for a minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 8 hours.
- Step 3: Preheat the Grill
20 minutes prior to grilling, you have to preheat the grill to 400°F
- Step 4: Grill the Pork Chops
Place the pork chops and direct heat them for 2 to 3 minutes for each side.
- Step 5: Indirect Heat
After the first round of heating, move the chops to indirect heat (lower to medium temperature) and cook for 8 to 16 minutes, flipping the pork chops at the halfway point
- Step 6: Insert Thermometer
Insert an instant thermometer into the thickest part of the chop. If it registers 140-145°F, the chops are cooked well and through.
- Step 7: Cool and Serve
You have to take the chops out of the grill, let it cool down for 5 minutes, and then serve it to your guests.
How to Cook Pork Chops Without Drying Them Out?
To cook pork chops without drying them out, you have to fry them in a pan first and then cook them in the oven while also taking care to add a splash of chicken stock to keep them moist.
- You make the marinade, mix it with the chops and marinate them for two to six hours
- Bring the marinated chops to room temperature. Add olive oil as a coating on the chops.
- Fry them on a pan using the stove. The chops will sear and sizzle inside the pan
- Put the pan inside the oven preheated to 400°F and cook it for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping the chops at halfway point.
- Add a splash of chicken stock to keep them from drying out in the pan.
- Insert a thermometer. If it shows 145°F, the chops are cooked well and through.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Pork Chops?
The time that it takes to cook pork chops depends on the thickness of the chops as illustrated in the table below.
| Thickness of the Chop | Time Required (at 425°F) |
|---|---|
| ½ inch | 6-7 mins |
| 1 inch | 12-15 mins |
| 1 ½ inches | 18-20 mins |
| 2 inches | 23-25 mins |
The cooking duration can also vary according to the temperature level of the grill.
| Temperature of the Grill | Time Required (for 1-inch-thick chop) |
|---|---|
| 350°F | 30-35 mins |
| 375°F | 22-25 mins |
| 400°F | 17-19 mins |
| 450°F | 12-15 mins |
Which is better – Boneless or Bone-in Pork Chops?
While boneless pieces are relatively easy and convenient to cook, bone-in pieces have an advantage over boneless in terms of their special flavor and classic looks.
Additionally, bone-in chops are less expensive because it doesn’t take much effort for the butcher who otherwise has to separate bone and fat from meat to make boneless pieces.
The table below lays out the key differences between the two so that you can make up your mind.
| Features | Boneless Chops | Bone-in Pieces |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Convenience | More convenient | Requires more effort |
| Cooking Time | Comparatively lesser time | Relatively more time required |
| Expense | More expensive | Less expensive |
| Flavor | Regular flavor | A fuller, richer flavor because of the additional fat content |
Where To Buy Pork Chops – My Personal Opinion
As you might know, I am very picky with where my food comes from and pork chops are no exception to that rule.
There are a few places where I order my pork chops online and one of them is the Good Chop company because of their sustainable way of working.
The second one I prefer is Meat n Bone and that is for the same reasons.
However, there are many other stores and even your local butcher or grocery store might have a great selection. Just as I mentioned above, I like to know where my pork chops are coming from and that was a reason for me to search for the best meat delivery services I share with you.
