Quick & Easy Thin Pork Chop Recipes - Perfect for Busy Weeknights

There are seldom any true meat lovers who will deny liking pork chops! We mean, they are great for every mood and every occasion! Whether you are having a lazy dinner at the end of the day or preparing something elaborate for the guests! Pork chops are perfect for every setting! How many times did you head to the restaurant to order and enjoy pork chops? Well, that can be a pretty costly affair and we are here to save your pockets! Some might say that making the best restaurant-style pork chops at home is impossible but we will not accept that! If you know the right technique to prepare them well then, of course, pork chops do not need much effort! Let's find out.

Tips for making the most exotic pork chops at home

Several factors determine whether your pork chops will turn out good or rubbery! Here are some pointers that you can keep in mind as you prepare them! Let's find out!

1. Purchase thick-cut and bone-in meat for making pork chops- too thin is not the option that we are looking for! If you are interested in getting the best results, then you should go ahead with pork chops which are at least one inch thick but do not go beyond two inches because then the meat will remain uncooked. If you are searing the meat, then it is best to go for a slightly thick and bone-in version.

This way the meat remains tender and juicy along with acquiring a crispy crust! Bone gives added flavor to the pork chops and later you can remove it for adding to the broth! The chances are of course unlikely when you are making bone-in chops for them to get overcooked while too thin sheets of meat can get destroyed easily.

2. Do not brine the meat but go ahead with seasoning- in case you are making pork chops, it is essential for you to season like you do for any meat fillet but do not brine! You do not want so much water to be added to the meat through brining. This in turn will ruin the texture of the meat totally. You can drizzle the meat with Kosher salt instead so the fillet is not exposed to excess moisture. You can also season with pepper if you wish to enhance the taste of the meat!

3. Always sear over medium heat- searing pork chops at high temperatures and flames can totally destroy the meat and get it either overcooked or burnt totally! This also squeezes much of the moisture out of the meat and renders it completely dry! Medium heat is ideal for cooking the fillet in the presence of vegetable oil. There should be enough oil and pork fat at the bottom of the pan so that the meat does not stick to the bottom. You are expected to sear for one minute and then flip the side and do the same thing again. Keep flipping this way for about ten minutes until the internal temperature of the pork fillet reaches 135°F. By flipping constantly, you are preventing the sides from getting curled up.

4. Now get to basting the pork chops- basting involves subjecting the meat to butter and herbs! The combination of melted butter and herbs renders the pork chop with extraordinary taste and outstanding sizzle. You should keep basting until the butter stops foaming anymore. And now you transfer the meat fillet to the board for further processing.

5. Allow your pork chops to rest for a while- cooking is an art and you can not do it in a hurry! At every step, you need to exercise patience so that nothing goes wrong with the dish. Once the pork chops are cooked, you should allow them to rest for a while! The internal temperature of the meat will continue to rise for a while and the juice will be released. This is the time when the sizzling spices will finally settle down and now you need to cover it up with foil and not touch the meat for at least five to seven minutes.

6. Ways to serve it- once the pork chop cools down, you can go ahead and cut it into slices! This will help you to remove the bones from the meat and the guests can enjoy them carefree. You can also choose to serve it as a whole if you want! There are different styles of serving the meat. Drizzle the sauce from the top and your pork chops are ready.

So that is more or less all the tips that you can keep in mind while making pork chops. This time we can guarantee nothing will go wrong.

What are some of the keys to gorgeous pork chops?

One of the main things about juicy pork chops includes buying the right kind of meat! This way you will be able to ensure that the quality is fine! It gives you a heads-up at the very beginning. The best thing to go ahead with it is to opt for the bone-in pork chop version. These fillets should be at least one inch so that you do not burn the surface while searing. You definitely do not need overcooked and dry meat on the plate. The presence of bones helps you to keep the meat juicy and tender. This also prevents overcooking as well.

• What is the ideal type of pan that you can use- to sear the pork chops, you need an extremely hot pan. A cast iron skillet is extraordinary to heat the metal first. The surface of the meat gets burnt and browned ideally. The crust also turns crispy and delicious. An ovenproof stainless steel pan is perfect to render the meat succulent and delicious! Never opt for a non-stick pan! It is the choice of pans and the temperature of the meat which determines proper cooking.
• Do not cook pork chops straight from the refrigerator- you should never start cooking the pork chops the moment you bring out the meat from the refrigerator! Allow it to rest for about thirty minutes before the meat reaches room temperature. Once done, you can now take the thawed meat and get started with the preparation. Cold meat prevents you from even cooking and while some part of the meat will get overcooked, the rest shall remain raw and undercooked.

So that's some of the many tips that you should keep in mind as you prepare pork chops! Now let's find out some recipes and ideas.

Delicious Thin Pork Chop Recipes | Make 'Em Melt in Your Mouth

1. Creamy garlic pork chops

The succulent and flavorful pork chops are super exciting and flooded with creamy gravy!

The garlicky essence of the curry topped with herbs is simply so wonderful indeed.

2. Honey garlic baked pork chops

The sweet and enriching, baked pork chops are gorgeous and loaded with garlicky essence.

Savory and rich, you are absolutely going to love this smokey taste!

So if you are craving meat for a long time, this is the best to indulge in.

3. Honey pork chops

All you need are five ingredients and fifteen minutes for one to prepare the pork chops.

Tender and sprinkled with herbs, this is an excellent creation that you will simply fall in love with at every bite. Let's give it a try!

4. Creamy spinach mushroom pork chops

Meat and greens, there is no better duo than the spinach and mushroom pork chops!

Detectable and creamy, this is a lovely creation that you can enjoy with steamed rice.

So now you know what to prepare for dinner!

5. Thirty minutes Korean pork chops

Well, thirty minutes is all that you need to make succulent Korean pork chops for brunch!

The authentic Korean spices and the dash of herbs is truly appreciable!

So if you are fond of pork chops, here is what you should try out!

6. Honey mustard pork chop recipe

The flavorful pork chops with tender potatoes on the side, are indeed the side dish that can impress every guest!

Juicy and sweet, the perfect blend of spices is pretty admirable we must say!

7. Oven-baked ranch pork chops

The tender and sweet pork chops are here to leave you completely tempted. It is the ranch seasoning that makes the dish even more exciting!

Ideal for a weeknight meal, quickly prepare the pork chops for dinner and enjoy them to your heart's content.

8. Pork chops in creamy white wine sauce

Drizzled with gorgeous seasoning and spices, the pork chops are ready in no time!

The presence of white wine sauce makes the dish even more fantastic and flavorful!

You do not have to believe in our words, make them at your home and find out for yourself!

9. Balsamic herbed pork chops with Brussels sprouts

The savory and smooth balsamic herbed pork chops are the best option for you to relish!

The presence of Brussels sprouts makes the dish healthy and delightful for a healthy bite.

10. Crispy air fryer pork chops

The crispy and juicy air fryer pork chops are lovely and topped with crumbs!

Great to indulge in as an appetizer, all you need are minimal time and effort to create them with the perfection of flavors.

11. The best-ever skillet pork chops with pan gravy

The skillet pork chops are delicious and loaded with gravy!

What more can you crave for dinner if not a bowl of meat and rice to comfort you after a tiring day at work?

Shall we make it then?

12. The best-ever oven-baked pork chops

The succulent and enriching pork chops are right here to make your weeknight meal so special!

Loaded with herbs and seasoning, this is indeed a brilliant creation. Baked in an oven, the pork chops become even more healthy so you can enjoy them anytime you want.

13. Super easy pork schnitzel recipe

Crispy and spicy, the combination of nutmeg and paprika is simply commendable!

The juicy pork schnitzel is a source of delight for kids to adults if the entire house has been craving meat for a while.

14. Salt and pepper pork chops

The salt and pepper pork chops are simply so hard for you to resist! Delectable and crispy, make your busy weeknight meal so gorgeous that all the stress of the day gets melted in a jiffy.

15. Parmesan-crusted pork chops

Parmesan-crusted pork chops are succulent and such an extraordinary creation for you to ravish this season!

The delightful taste of the crust and the meaty flavor inside leave you craving more! Make sure you have more than one for everyone.

Drizzle it with herbs and you are good to go!

16. Creamy smothered pork chops

How can we miss out on the creamy smothered pork chops?

Packed with herbs, seasoning, and heavy cream, there is not much to say about the brilliance of the recipe except that you will not be able to resist it for long.

17. Brown sugar garlic pork chops

The recipe for pork chops in brown sugar and garlic is another extraordinary recipe that we are sure you will be tempted to make again and again after the first attempt.

18. The pork chops with garlic butter

 The succulent and tender pork chops are super delicious and loaded with sauces.

The smooth touch of the garlic butter renders you with a sense of content and enrichment!

So if you are looking for something nice and light, you know which recipe to follow.

19. French onion pork chops

The French onion-smothered pork chops are fascinating and drizzled with sweet and savory gravy!

Packed with garlic and herbs, you are absolutely going to fall in love with the creation of the dish right away!

20. The ultimate pork chops

Rich and luxurious, the ultimate pork chops are right here to sway you off your feet!

Chewy and tender, you can serve the smokey meat as an appetizer when the guests are coming over.

Drizzled with seasoning, this is one of a kind.

Frequently asked questions associated with making pork chops

1. Which is the best way to make pork chops?

All you need is three to four minutes for preparing the pork chops! Sear them in medium flame and soon you can enjoy delicious meat!

2. What is the major secret to tender pork chops?

Tender pork chops are easy to make if you buy the bone-in version! This helps to retain the moisture in the meat and prevent it from getting overcooked.

3. How can you make pork chops without drying them away?

The best way to cook pork chops without drying them is by baking them in the oven at 400°F. Begin with searing in the stove and once the crust becomes brown you can go ahead and place it in the hot oven to complete the dish!

4. What is the secret to making quick pork chops?

Use tenderloins and cook at 145°F to make the pork chops a delicious option. This will only take three to four minutes to finish the dish with perfection.

5. How to keep the pork chops tender while you cook them?

Do not add some liquid or cover the skillet by cooking. Make sure that the temperature of the oven is ideal and the flame is maintained at a minimum. All you need are six to ten minutes to create the meat with perfection.

6. Is it slow cooking or fast, which is better for making pork chops?

Slow cooking is ideal for making pork chops! If you're fond of pork chops then exercise some patience and allow it to heat over low flames.

Bottom line- well, that is a lot about discussing pork chops! We leave you here so you can focus on making yours for tonight. All the best!