Cooking pork chops for dinner can be quick and easy, and there are so many ways to make them delicious. Today, I’m sharing three fantastic pork chop recipes that are perfect for any night of the week. You’ll find options for grilling, a sweet glaze, and even using your Instant Pot for extra speed.
Whether you like your pork chops with a smoky char, a sticky-sweet coating, or fork-tender from the pressure cooker, I have you covered. Let’s get cooking!
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Perfect Grilled Pork Chops Recipe
These grilled pork chops are juicy and have a great smoky flavor. It’s a simple way to cook them for an outdoor meal.
You’ll love how easy it is to get tender chops with a nice char on the grill.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Grilling
- Thickness Matters: Choose pork chops about 1-inch thick for even cooking on the grill. Thicker chops are less likely to dry out.
- Rest Your Meat: After grilling, let your pork chops sit for 5-10 minutes before cutting. This helps the juices stay inside for a tender result.
What You Need for Grilled Pork Chops
- 4 bone-in or boneless pork chops (about 1-inch thick)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 25 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make Grilled Pork Chops
Step 1: Prep the Chops
Pat your pork chops dry with paper towels. Rub them all over with olive oil, then sprinkle evenly with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400-450°F).
Step 2: Grill to Perfection
Place the seasoned pork chops directly on the preheated grill grates. Cook for 4-6 minutes per side, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 145°F. Flip them once halfway through cooking.
Step 3: Rest and Serve
Once cooked, remove the pork chops from the grill and place them on a clean plate or cutting board. Tent them loosely with foil and let them rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This helps keep them tender.
📝 Final Note on Grilled Pork Chops
Cooking to 145°F is key for tender pork. It will be slightly pink inside, which is safe and ensures a juicy chop.
Easy Honey Glazed Pork Chops Recipe
These honey glazed pork chops are sweet and sticky, perfect for a quick dinner. The simple glaze adds so much flavor.
You can make this recipe easily on your stovetop, making it a great option for busy weeknights.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Glazed Pork Chops
- Pan Searing First: Getting a nice brown crust on the pork chops before adding the glaze helps seal in juices and adds a lot of taste.
- Watch the Glaze: Honey can burn if cooked too long on high heat. Keep the heat medium-low when the glaze is in the pan and stir often.
What You Need for Honey Glazed Pork Chops
- 4 boneless pork chops (about 3/4-inch thick)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
⏱️ Time: 25 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make Honey Glazed Pork Chops
Step 1: Prepare the Chops and Glaze
Pat pork chops dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and minced garlic. Set the glaze aside.
Step 2: Sear the Pork Chops
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through to 145°F internal temperature. Remove chops from the pan and set aside.
Step 3: Glaze and Serve
Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour the honey glaze mixture into the hot skillet. Let it simmer gently for 1-2 minutes until it thickens slightly. Return the pork chops to the skillet and turn them to coat fully in the sticky glaze. Serve immediately.
📝 Final Note on Honey Glazed Pork Chops
This glaze is also great on chicken! You can easily double the sauce if you like a lot to drizzle over rice.
Speedy Instant Pot Pork Chops Recipe
For truly tender pork chops in a flash, your Instant Pot is a game changer. This recipe makes weeknight dinners so much easier.
You’ll get perfectly cooked pork chops with a flavorful sauce that’s ready in minutes.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Instant Pot Pork Chops
- Use a Trivet: Cooking your pork chops on a trivet above the liquid helps them steam evenly and prevents them from getting waterlogged.
- Natural Release (NPR): Allowing the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for a few minutes (5-10) before quick releasing helps the meat stay extra tender.
What You Need for Instant Pot Pork Chops
- 4 boneless pork chops (about 1-inch thick)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 1 tablespoon cold water (optional, for thickening)
⏱️ Time: 25 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make Instant Pot Pork Chops
Step 1: Season the Chops
Pat your pork chops dry. Mix onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub this seasoning mixture generously over both sides of each pork chop.
Step 2: Cook in Instant Pot
Pour chicken broth into the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Place a trivet inside the pot. Arrange the seasoned pork chops on the trivet. Secure the lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes.
Step 3: Release Pressure and Serve
Once cooking is done, let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Carefully remove the pork chops and let them rest. If you want a thicker sauce, remove the trivet, select the Sauté setting, and mix cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry, then stir it into the broth until thickened.
📝 Final Note on Instant Pot Pork Chops
These tender pork chops are wonderful with mashed potatoes or steamed green beans, letting the sauce coat everything nicely.