How to Cook Pork Chops

Pork chops can make a tasty addition to any midweek meal. However, it’s important to make sure you know how to prepare and cook them properly to ensure they stay juicy and succulent. There are a number of different ways you can cook pork chops, each suited to different meals and occasions. This blog post covers everything you need to know about pork chops, and the various ways you can prepare and serve them – as well as the most delicious pork chop recipes made simple with HelloFresh.

What are pork chops?

Pork chops are sourced from the loin area of pigs and commonly referred to as the tenderloin. There are a number of different cuts of pork chop depending on which part of the animal the chop is cut from. This determines not only how long the meat takes to cook, but also the tenderness and taste. Commonly, the pork chops you find in supermarkets come from either the rib or tenderloin of a pig. You can also get pork chops from the blade, rib and sirloin of the animal.

How to cook pork chops

The great thing about cooking pork chops is how tasty they are, so it’s great for amateur cooks who want to experiment in the kitchen. Different cuts of pork chop may require different approaches to cooking, however, this guide looks at the best ways to cook the most common pork rib and tenderloin chops.

How to prepare pork chops

Before cooking your pork chops, make sure to season them with salt and pepper, plus any other herbs and spices you want to include for the flavour. You may want to leave your chops to marinate in a sauce overnight to let the flavour fully absorb into the meat.

How to cook pork chops

The most important thing to avoid when cooking pork chops is drying them out. One of the easiest ways to prevent this is to leave your chop on the bone where possible, which gives the meat a richer flavour and allows juice from the fat to keep the meat moist. You could also fry pork chops for a few minutes before transferring them into an oven to cook through. This will help to retain moisture in the meat and keep a delicious juicy flavour.

It’s important to note, however, that no matter how you cook pork chops, you should always make sure meat is cooked thoroughly and is safe to eat. You can do this by using a meat thermometer and making sure the centre of the thickest part of your chop measures at 60°C for 45 minutes; 65°C for 10 minutes; 70°C for 2 minutes; 75°C for 30 seconds; 80°C for 6 seconds.

How to grill pork chops

Grilling pork chops is a great method for thinner cuts that don’t take so long to cook. When cooking on a gas grill, make sure to keep temperatures high, to ensure the chops cook thoroughly. Once you have seasoned your chops accordingly, place them on the high heat grill for around 3 minutes until seared marks appear on the bottom. Then, turn the heat down to a medium temperature for around 5-7 minutes.

How to fry pork chops

When frying pork chops, it’s best to source an iron skillet and fry on a high heat with 4-6 tbsp of olive oil. Once the oil begins to simmer with heat, add the pork chops to the skillet. Leave them to cook on a medium-high heat for a maximum of 5 minutes. You can then flip the chops and allow them to cook on the other side. The chops should sear to a juicy golden brown colour.

What to cook pork chops with

Mimi Morely, HelloFresh’s recipe development manager, says that the simplicity of pork chops means they pair perfectly with a range of different sides and dishes. Cheesy potato dauphinoise works great with the juicy and subtle flavours of pork chops. Apple sauce is an incredibly common pairing with many pork dishes, such as this delicious HelloFresh variation featuring glazed apples.

Recipes with pork chops

Pork chops can be incredibly simple and quick to cook, taking your dishes to new heights. HelloFresh has a number of pork chop recipes to suit all types of cooks:

• Pork Chop with Braised Cabbage
• Pork Chop with Roasted Butternut
• Sage Butter Pork Chops with Roasted Tenderstem and Squash
• Pork Chops with Roasted Fennel Medley and Mashed Potato