When you’re getting kind of bored with the same old chicken dinners, why not switch to pork? Pork chops in particular are a lean, affordable protein that can be absolutely lip-smackingly delicious. They sometimes get a bad rap for being dry, but that’s easily solved in one step: Don’t overcook them! As long as you keep an eye on your timer and cook them to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees, you’ll have a tasty and exceedingly easy weeknight dinner in no time.
“My family has always loved pork chops of any kind,” Ree Drummond admits. So if you’re wondering what to make with pork chops, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll find pork chop recipes for both bone-in and boneless chops, cooked every which way you can imagine. You can grill them, bake them, or pop them in a handy appliance like your slow cooker or air fryer. Smother them in gravy, top them with BBQ sauce, or turn them into an Italian dinner.
The other great thing about pork chops is that there are so many side dishes you can consider. You’ll find plenty of options here, but you can also consider creamy mashed potatoes, some simple sautéed or roasted veggies, and, of course, applesauce if you want to keep it classic. So the next time you see a package of pork chops at the supermarket, snap it up! You now have 17 different ways to cook it up for dinner this week.
1
Grilled Pork Chops
Will Dickey
The secret to perfectly grilled pork chops is a simple yet flavorful marinade. Let them soak for at least an hour before popping them on the grill for five to seven minutes per side. Just look at those grill marks!
This is probably the easiest way to make pork chops. They take just 25 minutes in total! Ree uses a light layer of seasoned flour on the outside and a combination of oil and butter to fry them up perfectly golden.
What can’t you make in an air fryer at this point? They cook up crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Pair with a simple salad and the potato of your choice, and dinner is served!
Not only does the handy dandy machine cook the pork chops, but also the savory, thyme-infused gravy. While your slow cooker does its job, you just have to consider the side. Maybe some mashed potatoes or buttered noodles?
Join the hot honey craze! Juicy boneless pork chops are coated in crunchy panko and pan-fried until golden. Then finish them off with a drizzle of homemade hot honey for the right balance of sweet and spicy.
You can also bake panko-crusted chops in the oven. They only need about ten minutes to cook in high heat. Meanwhile, you can make a quick carrot mash that will be a new fun way to eat your veggies.
Here’s an idea: Make a tangy, homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Then use it as both a marinade for grilled pork chops and also as a dressing for a fresh arugula, peach, and feta salad on the side.
Roast pork chops with thinly sliced apples and onions with a honey mustard coating. Make some crispy Brussels sprouts on another tray and then serve them together for a cozy taste of fall.
“Sometimes you just need a big honkin' plate of pork chops smothered with bell pepper gravy,” Ree says. It’s the perfect plate of comfort food, and it only takes 30 minutes to make from start to finish.
Looking for a bite of BBQ? Just choose your favorite sauce, slather it on some pork chops, and pop ‘em right in the oven. Serve with a warm and colorful veggie slaw on the side.
Relieve some stress by pounding pork chops super thin with a mallet or rolling pin. Then coat with breadcrumbs and fry them up. Serve with an easy arugula salad right on top. All it needs is some parmesan and a sprinkle of lemon.
If you're a fan of ranch, you'll love this easy sheet pan dinner. Pork chops, zucchini, and peppers all cook on the same sheet pan for an extra easy cleanup.
Give your grilled pork chops a little oomph with a combination of coriander, ginger, and brown sugar. Fresh strawberries, mixed greens, and tangy balsamic vinegar make an easy but tasty salad. Try goat cheese or blue cheese on top!
Swap out that plain ol’ chicken with pork for a nice change of pace. Marsala wine and savory mushrooms make an exquisite pan sauce that would taste just as good over noodles as it would on mashed potatoes.
Turn those chops into fun Vietnamese-inspired lettuce cups. The sweet and sticky hoisin-ginger sauce is easy to throw together. Layer the leaves with rice noodles, pork, carrots, Sriracha mayonnaise, and cilantro.
This might look complicated, but it’s not. Ree says, “Aside from the pork chops and the pineapple, everything is a pantry or freezer item… and the results are just out-of-this-world delicious.”
Pork Chops with Apples & Creamy Bacon Cheese Grits
Ree Drummond
Pork and apples go together like peanut butter and jelly. But Ree likes to kick it up a notch with cheesy, creamy grits. “The grits alone will send you both into orbit and to confession,” she jokes.