What is the best way to cook pork chops without them drying out

Cooking pork chops can be challenging because the window between overcooked and perfectly done is very small. But it certainly doesn’t mean that cooking pork chops without drying them out is an unattainable goal. In this article, we’ll show you how to cook thin pork chops without drying them out. So, let’s get started.

Contents

• Tips to Cook Thin Pork Chops without Drying Them Out
  • 1. Get Bone-in Thin Pork Chops
  • 2. Don’t Forget to Marinate for a Flavor Boost
  • 3. Bring Back the Chops to Room Temperature
  • 4. Sear the Meat on the Stove
  • 5. Use a Meat Thermometer
  • 6. Let the Meat Rest
• Methods to Cook Thin Pork Chops Without Drying Them Out
  • Oven-Baked Pork Chops
  • Grilled Pork Chops
  • Seared Pork Chops
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Before getting into the details of different methods to cook pork chops, let’s discuss some tips that you can follow to keep the meat from drying out.

1. Get Bone-in Thin Pork Chops

The chances of ending up with bone-dry and tasteless meat will increase if you have low-quality pork chops, to begin with. That’s why it’s important to buy pork chops from a quality butcher. Consider opting for bone-in and pink-colored pork chops that have some marbling which adds moisture and flavor.

2. Don’t Forget to Marinate for a Flavor Boost

A simple mixture of aromatics (your favorite spices and herbs), salt, oil, and lemon juice or vinegar will do the job.

Season the chops with the mixture and it’ll tenderize the meat by breaking down the proteins. Ideally, you should place the meat in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 hours after seasoning it with the mixture.

3. Bring Back the Chops to Room Temperature

After 3 to 4 hours, you’ll need to take the meat out of your refrigerator and place it on your counter for about 30 minutes. Bringing the meat to room temperature helps you to cook the meat evenly and it’ll also help pork chops retain their moisture.

4. Sear the Meat on the Stove

Sear the pork chops quickly on your stove before transferring them to the oven. It’ll seal in the juices by creating a proper crust and will keep the pork chops tender.

5. Use a Meat Thermometer

Investing in a meat thermometer comes in handy while cooking pork chops or any other piece of meat. Pork chops are done when they reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Let the Meat Rest

After removing your pork chops from the oven, let them rest for about 3 to 8 minutes while they’re covered. It’ll help the meat stay juicy, tender, and flavorful.

Methods to Cook Thin Pork Chops Without Drying Them Out

You can use the following tried and true methods to cook your pork chops.

Oven-Baked Pork Chops

Ingredients

• 4 pork chops (about 1 to 1.5 inches thick)
• 5 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 2 teaspoons of paprika that can be either smoked or sweet
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Rub olive oil on both sides of the chops.
3. Mix the rest of the ingredients and season the meat with it before placing it in your refrigerator for about 3 to 4 hours.
4. Remove the meat from the refrigerator and let it come to the room temperature.
5. Sear the chops on the stove for a couple of minutes before placing them into your oven.
6. Place the pork chops inside the oven and bake them for about 20 to 25 minutes.
7. Check the inside temperature of the meat by using the thermometer.
8. Remove the chops from the oven if the temperature is between 140 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. Cover the chops and let them sit for 5 minutes.

Grilled Pork Chops

Ingredients

• 4 pork chops (about 1 to 1.5 inches thick)
• 2 teaspoons of kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of cracked black pepper
• ½ teaspoon of ground mustard
• ¼ cup of vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• 5 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients and follow the same marination method that we discussed above.
2. Preheat the grill to 400 degrees. It usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes depending on the grill.
3. Place the chops on your grill, (make sure that you choose the hottest spot) and sear the meat for about 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Flip the chops and repeat the process.
5. Move the meat from the hottest spot and continue the cooking process for about 5 to 6 minutes. Flip each chop after 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Use the thermometer to check the inside temperature of each chop and remove them around 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Allow the meat to rest for about 3 to 8 minutes before serving.

Seared Pork Chops

Ingredients

• 2 pork chops (about 1 to 1.5 inches thick)
• ¼ cup of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup of olive oil
• ¼ cup of balsamic vinegar
• 6 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 4 smashed garlic cloves
• A pinch of freshly found black pepper
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 2 tablespoons of butter

Instructions

1. Whisk together thyme sprigs, garlic cloves, olive oil, balsamic olive oil, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard in a large bowl.
2. Pour the marinade over the chops and place in your refrigerator for about 3 to 4 hours.
3. Remove from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature.
4. Use pepper and salt to season the pork chops generously.
5. Preheat the cast-iron skillet to a medium-high temperature after pouring some olive oil into it.
6. Place your pork chops in the cast-iron skillet and add one teaspoon of butter.
7. Cook the pork chops for about 3 to 5 minutes on each side
8. Use the thermometer to check the temperature.
9. Remove the chops from the skillet if the temperature is 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
10. Cover the pork chops with foil and let them sit for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.

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