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    Recipes » Main Course Recipes

    Cast Iron Pork Chops

    Published: Jun 6, 2022 by Marissa Stevens · 10 Comments

    Gluten FreeLow CarbPaleoWhole30Quick Meals

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Cast Iron Pork Chops are a restaurant worthy main course that's easy enough for a weeknight meal and always welcome at a dinner party or on date night. With 4 simple ingredients (plus salt and pepper) and minimal prep time, you'll be serving these succulent chops in just 20 minutes, start to finish.

    seared pork chops in a cast iron pan.

    Seared in a cast iron pan and finished with sizzling butter and fresh rosemary, these juicy pork chops develop deeply rich flavor and a beautiful golden crust. As soon as the tantalizing aroma reaches your nose, you’ll know that you’re about to enjoy something special.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You Need to Make Cast Iron Pork Chops
    • Choosing the Right Pork Chops
    • Seasoning Options
    • Recipe Tips
    • Serve With
    • More Pork Chop Recipes
    • How to Make Cast Iron Pork Chops
    • Cast Iron Pork Chops
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients You Need to Make Cast Iron Pork Chops

    Cast Iron Pork Chops Ingredients on a white marble board.
    • Bone-in Pork Chops:  1-inch thick, 6-8 ounces each
    • Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: 
    • Vegetable Oil: such as avocado oil or other high heat oil
    • Butter: salted butter or unsalted butter
    • Fresh Rosemary: optional

    Choosing the Right Pork Chops

    There are several cuts of pork chops and you've got a couple of good options for this recipe. For the juiciest result, use thick, bone-in pork chops. They're superior in both flavor and texture for this recipe. That said, center-cut, boneless pork chops also work well, but they won't have the same level of moisture or depth of flavor.

    seared pork chops in a cast iron pan photographed from above.

    Seasoning Options

    You can keep things simple and season your pork chops with just salt and pepper. A sprig of fresh rosemary adds earthy flavor and a lovely scent and other fresh herbs work well also, like fresh thyme or sage.

    Recipe Tips

    • If your pork chops have a thick fat cap, score them vertically in 2 or 3 places to prevent curling and promote even cooking.
    • Remove your pork chops from the refrigerator 15 minutes before you plan to cook them for even cooking and extra tender pork chops.
    • For searing, be sure to use a high-heat cooking oil, such as avocado oil to minimize smoke.
    • Cooking time depends heavily on the thickness of your pork chops. As you'd imagine, thicker pork chops will take longer than thinner chops. An instant read meat  thermometer is the best way to check for doneness - 145˚F at the thickest part is the ideal temperature before the 5 minute resting period where the temperature will continue to rise.

    Serve With

    • Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes or Brabant Potatoes
    • Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
    • Arugula Salad or Corn Salad
    • Skillet Cornbread or Brioche Rolls
    • Garlic Butter Noodles

    More Pork Chop Recipes

    • Pork Piccata
    • Pork Saltimbocca
    • Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops

    How to Make Cast Iron Pork Chops

    bone in pork chops in cast iron pan.
    adding butter and rosemary to pork chops in cast iron skillet.
    cast iron pork chops ready to serve.

    Pat pork chops dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Then heat oil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until nearly smoking. Cook pork chops in a single layer, flipping often golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add butter and rosemary, if using, cook until well browned, flipping often, about 5 minutes more (to an internal temperature of 145˚F). Let rest on serving platter 5 minutes before serving.

    seared pork chops in a cast iron pan.

    Cast Iron Pork Chops

    Marissa Stevens
    Succulent pork chops that are weeknight easy and dinner party or date night special! Adapted from The Food Lab by J. Kenji López-Alt
    5 from 1 vote
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Resting Time 5 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 319 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 bone-in pork chops 1-inch thick, 6-8 ounces each
    • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil such as avocado oil or other high heat oil
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary optional

    Instructions
     

    • Pat pork chops dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. (recipe note #1)
    • Heat oil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until nearly smoking. Add pork chops in a single layer and cook, flipping often until both sides have developed a crust and are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add butter and rosemary, if using, and continue cooking, again flipping often 5 minutes more, or until well browned and an instant read thermometer in the center reads 145˚F. Transfer pork chops to serving platter let rest 5 minutes before serving.

    Notes

    1. If your pork chops have a thick fat cap, score the fat of each one perpendicularly in 2-3 places (this will minimize curl and help the cook evenly).

    Nutrition

    Calories: 319kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 37gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 107mgPotassium: 635mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 95IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword date night, weeknight
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Main Course Recipes

    • Chicken Thigh Piccata
    • Garlic Butter Noodles
    • Cauliflower Piccata
    • Crispy Baked Egg Rolls

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. sue says

      September 17, 2022 at 5:54 pm

      Thank you for the recipe’s &your great tips 😋

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        September 19, 2022 at 10:02 am

        My pleasure, Sue!

        Reply
    2. mimi rippee says

      June 15, 2022 at 1:04 pm

      These look wonderful. I think a lot of pork chops are overlooked because people overcook them, and there's no meat much worse when overcooked. It took my husband a while to get over the bit of pink in the middle, but now he's hooked.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        September 19, 2022 at 10:01 am

        Thanks so much, Mimi!

        Reply
    3. David @ Spiced says

      June 13, 2022 at 7:55 am

      5 stars
      These pork chops look fantastic, Marissa! I love that you used bone-in chops, and that cast iron skillet is perfect for a good crust! I'll take these for dinner tonight, please. 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        June 13, 2022 at 3:20 pm

        Thanks so much, David! I love how pork chops on the bone are so juicy.

        Reply
    4. Ben | Havocinthekitchen says

      June 07, 2022 at 8:42 am

      These are some perfectly cooked pork chops - fatty enough yet not greasy, juicy, and beautifully browned! Loving the addition of rosemary, too.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        June 08, 2022 at 10:24 am

        Thanks so much, Ben!

        Reply
    5. angiesrecipes says

      June 06, 2022 at 10:01 am

      These are seriously the BEST pork chops that I have ever seen, Marissa. Thanks for all the great tips.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        June 08, 2022 at 10:27 am

        Thank you, Angie! My pleasure.

        Reply

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