Pan Fried Pork Chops Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to pan fry pork chops in butter or oil? ›

I use both! At the same time! The butter helps achieve that golden brown color and adds more flavor, but you need the oil, too, because it has a higher smoke point and keeps the butter from burning. How long do you cook pork chops in a frying pan?

Fat is key to keeping pork chops moist

Basting them with fat, such as butter. Add in aromatics while basting for more flavor — similar to how you might cook a steak — and then you have the added bonus of browned butter and crispy garlic and/or herbs to serve with the meat.

When you're frying thin pork chops over medium-high to high heat, 2 to 3 minutes per side is just right for browning and cooking them all the way through. For thicker chops, brown on both sides then check the internal temperature with a digital thermometer. It will take 5 to 6 minutes per side to completely cook them.

Preheat the skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Add meat. Don't add any liquid and don't cover the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until internal temperature registers 145°F on an instant-read thermometer (for ¾- to 1-inch-thick chops, plan on 6 to 10 minutes), turning meat occasionally.

I always use canola oil for frying. This recipe is for two pork chops. It is best not to crowd them in the pan even if you have to start again with another batch. The biggest secret is the temperature and to keep turning the chops over.

Because pork chops are such a lean cut, they are relatively quick-cooking and prone to overcooking. When they're cooked for even a few minutes too long, whether it's in the oven or on the stovetop or grill, they're quick to dry out, and — you guessed it — become tough, chewy, and less than appealing.

Coat each side of the pork chops, applying pressure to make the batter stay on during cooking. One coat is good for a thin layer of batter. For a thicker coating, dip them in a separate bowl of a little milk with an egg mixed well, and again in the flour. Make sure oil is hot.

Cooking pork chops in the oven can yield to a tender and juicy meat. Brine bone-in pork chops then sear them first before finishing them off in the oven.

Why do you put applesauce on pork chops? ›

Pork has a meaty, slightly sweet, and very savory flavor, but it is also quite oily. Apples have a sweet, relatively dry, slightly acidic flavor, and the dry acidity is a good complement to the oiliness of pork. People have served pork with apples for at least a couple thousand years.

Sear the pork, then bake it.

For instance, you might sear your pork in a hot pan on the stove (or on the grill), then transfer your pork to the oven (or move it to a cooler area of the grill and close the lid) for the rest of its cooking time. The indirect heat is vital to keeping your pork tender and juicy.

The key to flavoursome chops is cooking the fat on the outside really well over a high heat. This should be done quickly so as not to dry out the meat inside.

(The firmer the meat, the more cooked it is.) If you wait until you see juice oozing out of the top of the chop, it is definitely done. You can also check the internal temperature of the pork with a digital thermometer; when the pork registers 145°F in the middle, it's done.

The short answer to this common question is yes! Due to the ingredients and natural preservatives found in many pork products, it's entirely possible that your meat may still be slightly pink even when it's fully cooked. In fact, pork can even be enjoyed medium-rare.

WHICH IS BEST FOR COOKING STEAK: BUTTER OR OIL? Unlike butter, many oils have higher smoke points, making them the better option for cooking steak. Furthermore, there are some oils e.g. olive oil or grape seed oil that are healthier alternatives to butter. However, don't expect oil to taste better than butter.

A quick turn in a hot pan followed by a little time in the oven is another great way to cook pork chops. You build color and flavor in the skillet, then hand the cooking over to the oven, which gives you time to prep the rest of the meal.

Pan-fry the best pork chops

And oil, with its higher smoke point, helps stop the butter from burning so you can cook the pork at a higher temperature, according to The Washington Post. You can use any neutral, unflavored vegetable oil, such as safflower. (Avoid olive oil because it has a lower smoke point.)