Pork chops are always a treat when served at the dining room table. Their juicy goodness and melt in your mouth taste make them a definite crowd-pleaser. Their succulence gives them a flavor that’s second to none.
There’s something about bone-in pork chops that makes them even more delicious and fun to eat. If you are a fan of bone-in pork chops, we are confident that this recipe for baked herb pork chops is one you are going to love.
Baked Bone-in Pork Chops
To make this recipe, start with four loin cut pork chops about a ½” thick. Sprinkle the sides with salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp red wine or garlic wine vinegar, and 1 tsp. Italian seasoning. Brush mixture over pork chops.
Bake uncovered in a sprayed baking pan for 10 minutes at 450 degrees. Remove from oven, turn pork chops, and continue baking uncovered for 5-8 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.
Tips For Cooking Pork Chops
It is important not to overcook the pork chop. Pork chops can be challenging to cook because there is a very small window between them being done to perfection and overcooked. Here are a few tips that will help keep you from overcooking your chops.
Buy bone-in pork chops that are at least 1 ½ inches thick and are pink in color with some marbling. The bone conducts heat to prevent the meat from overcooking while the marbling (fat) adds flavor and moisture.
Bring meat to room temperature before cooking. This will help them cook evenly and retain moisture. Sear the pork chops on the stove and finish baking it in the oven. The sear will seal in the juices to keep it tender.
Add a splash of chicken stock before transferring it to the oven to provide added moisture. Buy a meat thermometer to accurately determine cook time. After the meat cooks let it rest for ten minutes covered. This will allow the juices to redistribute back into the meat.
Another Great Pork Chop Recipe
Once you have the cooking time of the meat under control, making pork chops can be pretty easy. To vary the recipe, you can use different sauces and seasons to flavor the meat.
Here is one recipe that boasts a tasty pork chop seasoning:
The recipe calls for:
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
All ingredients are combined in a bowl and stirred with a whisk or fork until all clumps are broken up. Sprinkle it liberally on the pork chops. Then bake, grill, or sear as desired. While we can go on about the different seasonings you can use on pork chops, it may be more about how you season them that sets the meat apart.
To properly season pork chops, start with fully defrosted chops and sprinkle seasoning liberally on both sides. For best results, use your hands and allow the seasoning to drop onto pork chops from 8-10 inches above. This will allow the seasonings to become evenly distributed.
Rubbing the seasoning in is not necessary and it can even make some of the ingredients clump. Instead, you can use the palm of your hands to gently press the seasoning into the meat a few minutes before baking or grilling.
Sides to Serve With This Recipe
Pork chops are a great protein that can be served with any number of sides. Mac and cheese is one that instantly comes to mind, in particular because it's easily one of America's most beloved sides. There are so many different ways to make mac and cheese; keep it simple with boxed mac and cheese or make your own.
Mashed potatoes are a classic side. You can never go wrong with them. Grab your favorite gravy recipe and make some mashed potatoes for your family to enjoy with these pork chops. Pretty much everyone, young or old, loves mashed potatoes!
Applesauce can be a simple, and healthy, side to serve. Applesauce is obviously easy to find in the store, but if you make it at home it will be all the more special. Homemade applesauce is infinitely better than store-bought. Grab your kids and have them lend you a hand!
Regardless of what side you choose to serve, we're confident you're going to love this recipe. If you enjoy it, check out our other pork chop recipes and leave a comment letting us know you enjoyed it. You can use different flavorings on pork chops to make for unique meals every day of the week or experiment until you find your favorite. How will you be serving this meat to your family tonight?
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Baked Herb Pork Chops Recipe
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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- Total Time: 25 minutes
Description
There’s something about bone-in pork chops that makes them even more delicious and fun to eat. If you are a fan of bone-in pork chops, we are confident that this recipe for baked herb pork chops is one you are going to love.
Ingredients
- 4 loin-cut pork chops, about 1/2-inch thick
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon red wine or red wine garlic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Rinse pork chops and pat dry.
- Sprinkle both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
- Place in a sprayed 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Combine remaining ingredients and brush over meat.
- Bake, covered for 10 minutes 450°F.
- Remove from oven, turn pork chops, and continue baking, uncovered 5 to 8 minutes or until temperature reaches 145°F. (Do not overcook or meat will be dry and tough.)
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
The image featured at the top of this post is ©CC0 Public Domain / Pxhere.