Sometimes all you need is a great, big juicy piece of pork. And what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think a pork dinner? Pork chops, of course! And once you learn how to prep and cook pork chops, you’ll have a solid dinner standby that’s delicious and will be a hit with the whole family (seriously – it’s something even the kids will eat). Even more, pork chops offer a good helping of iron and potassium, and depending on how they are cooked, aren’t terribly unhealthy for you. So long as you remember to add a heaping of fresh green beans or a salad on the side.
How to Cook Pork Chops
Let’s talk about prep. You don’t have to do a lot in order to make your pork chops delicious, but one thing to note is that it’s easy to accidentally overcook them. The other thing to note is that a little brine can go a long way. What’s a brine? It’s a salt and water mixture that you soak meat to bring out the moisture in meat, making it perfect and juicy. Most brines are meant to be used overnight, or at least for a few hours. But even a quick half hour brine can really do wonders for a pork chop.
How to Pan Fry Pork Chops
Frying pork chops is a great way to cook pork (and pretty quick too!) If you don’t want to whip up a quick schnitzel (here’s a recipe – just swap the chicken for pork), you can always try a little pan frying. Start by heating 1/2 cup of oil in a medium skillet. Add in 1 Tbsp of butter and mix well with the oil. Mix 1 cup of flour with a dash of cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Dip each side of the pork chops into the flour mixture and the add to heated oil and butter. Cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side.
How to Bake Pork Chops
Baking pork chops is a great alternative to pan frying, and is healthier since you aren’t slathering it with oil. To start, preheat oven 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Prep pork chops by lightly salting them and sprinkle with pepper on each side. Place pork chops in a baking dish and put in the oven. Bake for 35 minutes or use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the pork chops are at 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to Grill Pork Chops
Start by firing up the grill and heat to medium high heat. Lightly salt and pepper pork chops on either side and place on the grill. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, and use a meat thermometer to make sure that the internal temperature of the meat reaches 145 degrees (so you know it’s done).
How do you prefer your pork chops? Do you have a favorite recipe for how to cook pork chops? Share it with us and our readers in the comments!
