Oven Baked Pork Chops

Oven baked pork chops end up juicy and tender each time because of a easy brine and a candy, savory rub. This simple, fuss-free dinner has minimal prep and massive taste the entire household will love.

Why Make It: Make these while you need juicy, flavorful pork chops with minimal effort. The fast brine and oven bake skip the stovetop sear and maintain cleanup simple.
Approach: Brining makes all of the distinction! Even chops that used to end up dry are actually tender and completely juicy.
Serving Options: These are scrumptious with mashed potatoes, and I like pairing them in a sheet pan combo with roasted veggies.

Ingredient Notes

Pork Chops: This recipe makes use of boneless pork chops about ¾-inch thick. Thicker chops will want further bake time and a thermometer to make sure they’re cooked good.
Brine: If utilizing effective desk salt as a substitute, cut back the quantity so the brine doesn’t get too salty. Peppercorns give mild pepper taste with out making the brine gritty. It may be changed with floor pepper if wanted.
Rub: Dry mustard provides tang and a deeper roasted taste. Swap with a small smear of Dijon for a barely completely different crust.
Variations: For variations, a pinch of cayenne provides slightly warmth, whereas dried thyme or rosemary offers a extra herby, roasted taste. In case you favor, you possibly can skip the brine and add 1 teaspoon kosher salt to the rub, which is much less juicy however nonetheless scrumptious.

The Significance of the Brine & the Rub

The Brine: A brine is a mix of salt, sugar, and water. This easy combination helps break down harder proteins and provides taste. Whereas brine is just not required, I like to recommend it for essentially the most tender and flavorful pork chops.

The Rub: This rub is an easy mix of brown sugar and spices. It provides taste and helps the pork chops caramelize.

Easy methods to Bake Pork Chops

Cool the brine then soak the pork chops.
Pat the chops very dry and rating.
Coat with the rub and bake (full recipe under).

For Juicy Outcomes: Use an instant-read thermometer and pull baked pork chops at 140°F, then relaxation to 145°F. For thicker chops, bake longer however depend on temperature, not minutes.
Do Not Overbrine: half-hour to 2 hours is the candy spot for texture.
Cool the Brine Absolutely: Do that earlier than including pork so it stays secure and the meat doesn’t begin cooking.
Pat Dry: This helps the rub stick and the floor browns as a substitute of steaming.
Rating the Fats Cap: If there’s a fats cap, rating it so the chop doesn’t curl and prepare dinner inconsistently.
Preserve the Broil Step Brief: Brown sugar can darken shortly.

close up of a piece of Juicy Baked Pork Chops on a fork

Leftovers That Keep Juicy

Preserve leftover pork chops in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days and within the freezer for two to three months. Reheat, masking with foil in a 325°F to 350°F oven with a splash of broth to maintain them moist.

Good Sides For Baked Pork Chops

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook dinner Time 20 minutes

Marinate Time 30 minutes

Complete Time 1 hour

To make the brine, in a small saucepan, mix the water, salt, brown sugar, and peppercorns. Carry to a boil over excessive warmth and boil till the sugar and salt have dissolved. Add the ice to the brine and funky utterly.
In a big bowl or freezer bag, pour the cooled brine over the pork chops and refrigerate for at the very least half-hour or as much as 2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for straightforward cleanup.
Take away pork chops from the brine and pat them dry with a paper towel. If the pork chops have a fats cap on one facet, make small cuts into the fats to assist them prepare dinner evenly.
To make the seasoning, in a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, garlic powder, mustard powder, and paprika. Apply the rub to each side of the pork chops and therapeutic massage it into the meat.
Place the seasoned pork chops on the ready baking sheet and bake for 16 minutes.
Flip the oven to broil, and broil the pork chops, 4 to six inches from the warmth, for an extra 2-4 minutes, or till they attain an inner temperature of 140°F.
Take away the pork chops from the oven and switch them to a plate to relaxation for five minutes earlier than serving, permitting the temperature to rise to 145°F.

Selecting Pork Chops: Select lean chops, ¾-inch thick. Alter the cooking time barely for thicker chops.
Skipping the brine? If time permits, the brine is beneficial. In case you’re quick on time, you possibly can skip the brine and add 1 teaspoon kosher salt to the rub combination.
Cooking Time: Thicker chops will want further time, whereas thinner chops will prepare dinner quicker. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Pork chops ought to be baked to an inner temp of 145°F. Take away them from the oven at 140°F as they’ll proceed to rise in temperature as they relaxation. Pork chops can (and will!) be slightly bit pink within the center.
Leftovers: Preserve leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days and within the freezer for as much as 3 months.

Diet info offered is an estimate and can range primarily based on cooking strategies and types of components used.

Course Dinner, Lunch, Important Course, Pork

Delicacies American

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