Recipe - Honey Garlic Pork Chops - Happy Home Fairy (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to moist pork chops? ›

How to Keep Pork Chops from Drying Out? Brine Them! After you bring your pork chops home, time to brine! Brining pork chops is one of the best ways way to guarantee a juicy cooked pork chop.

You can make an effective brine just with salt and water, but additional seasonings do help. If you are just looking to brine one (1) pork chop or tenderloin, or up to 4 at a time, a quick ratio of salt to water is 4 cups of water and 3 Tbsp of salt / for 30 minutes up to 4 hours.

The sweet-savory profile of pork chops is complemented by tart, acidic apples, which also provide an interesting textural element. The pairing is hearty, comforting, and warming -- and seems natural from an agricultural standpoint.

Mix seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and liquid smoke together in a small bowl until thoroughly combined. Rinse pork chops. Sprinkle wet chops on both sides with spice mixture. Massage spices into meat, then let stand for 10 minutes.

While there are a number of ways to cook pork chops for dinner, baking is arguably the easiest path to perfection. The hands-off cooking method cooks pork chops gently and evenly without the need for extra fat, resulting in juicy, healthier pork chops that pair well with practically any side dish.

For more extensive tenderizing, you'll need either an enzymatic ingredient or a powdered meat tenderizer. Papaya and fresh pineapple feature compounds that soften meat, as do yogurt and buttermilk. If you don't want to use unusual or hard-to-find ingredients in your marinade, use a meat tenderizing powder.

Don't Rinse Away Your Pork Marinade

Once your pork is fully marinated, you might think it's time to rinse it all off before cooking!

Soy Sauce – it's the secret to a delicious pork chop marinade, acting as a brine to tenderize the meat while adding depth of flavor. (Use a low-sodium light soy sauce for a healthier version). Apple Cider Vinegar – acid in the vinegar helps to “break down” proteins, making the meat extra tender.

The butter helps achieve that golden brown color and adds more flavor, but you need the oil, too, because it has a higher smoke point and keeps the butter from burning. Should I cover the pan when cooking pork chops? Nope, there's no need to cover the pan.

Why does the coating fall off my pork chops? ›

When it comes to breading meat, most breading procedures are basically the same. But taking the extra time to soak your meat in buttermilk and let the flour set will ensure that your breading is fully adhered for the perfect breaded pork chops or breaded chicken.

Muscle fibers contract and push out moisture as meat cooks. It first starts to happen when the internal temperature reaches 104℉ (40℃) and greatly increases once you hit 140℉ (60℃). This is why ribeyes, chicken breasts, and pork chops turn dry and chewy when you cook them for too long.

Cumin. Cumin is a favourite in curries, but it also works incredibly well with pork. It is a go-to savoury spice for a reason: its distinct, earthy flavour.

Best Seasoning for Pork Chops

Thyme and sage add herby and floral notes complementing pork's flavor exceptionally well. There's also a combination of smoked paprika, pepper, and a little bit of cayenne pepper, which all give your pork chops a lovely, not overly spicy, kiss of heat.

Pork chops are lean, so seasoning with salt before cooking is essential for making the most flavorful chops. Tip #3: Rub the chops with spices and some flour. Here's where your favorite spice rub can come in. Alternatively, you can use our spice blend suggested in the recipe below or try this homemade Cajun seasoning.

First, we sear one side of the chops until browned, flip them, turn the heat to low, and cover the skillet with a lid. The second side will slowly turn golden brown, and since we added the lid, the heat from the pan will gently cook the middle. By gently cooking the chops this way, they stay juicy and become tender.

How do you make pork soft and tender? Soak your pork in a salt-based brine before cooking it using your desired method. Pork chops need to soak between 12–24 hours, an entire pork tenderloin needs to soak for 6–12 hours, and an entire pork loin requires 2–4 days of soaking.

Preheat the skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Add meat. Don't add any liquid and don't cover the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until internal temperature registers 145°F on an instant-read thermometer (for ¾- to 1-inch-thick chops, plan on 6 to 10 minutes), turning meat occasionally.

The very best way to reheat leftover pork chops is low and slow with a little extra moisture — you can use either broth or water with great results. While you can reheat pork tenderloin in a pan or use a cast iron to reheat lamb chops, pork chops really do reheat best in the oven.