Pork chops: four easy ways to cook them juicy every time

The short answer: Pork chops are one of the most affordable, flexible weeknight dinners, and the secret to juicy ones is simple: don't overcook them.

Cook pork chops to 145°F and rest them for 3 minutes; a 1-inch chop takes about 8 to 10 minutes in a skillet, 15 to 20 minutes baked at 400°F or 10 to 14 minutes in the air fryer. Below you'll find a cook time chart, four step-by-step methods (pan-seared, baked, air fryer and smothered), a basic seasoning rub and sides that go with each.

Pork chops are the dinner I come back to when the budget is tight and everyone still wants something hearty.

Pork chop cook times by method

Times are for chops at about 1 inch thick, patted dry and seasoned. Always confirm with a thermometer.

The USDA's safe minimum temperature chart sets 145°F with a 3-minute rest for whole cuts of pork, and FoodSafety.gov's meat and poultry charts list the same. A blush of pink at 145°F is fine.

A simple pork chop seasoning

Mix 1 teaspoon each of paprika, garlic powder and brown sugar with ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. That covers four chops. For extra-juicy results, brine the chops first in 4 cups of water with ¼ cup kosher salt for 30 minutes to 2 hours, then rinse, dry and use half the salt in the rub.

Method 1: pan-seared pork chops

1. Pat the chops dry and season both sides.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
3. Sear the chops 4 to 5 minutes without moving them, until deeply browned.
4. Flip, add 1 tablespoon of butter and a smashed garlic clove, and spoon the butter over the chops for 3 to 4 minutes.
5. Pull them at 145°F and rest 3 minutes before serving.

Method 2: baked pork chops

1. Heat the oven to 400°F.
2. Season the chops and set them on a lined sheet pan, or on a rack set over the pan for even browning.
3. Bake 15 to 20 minutes for boneless or 20 to 25 for bone-in, until they reach 145°F.
4. For a golden crust, sear them 2 minutes per side in an oven-safe skillet first, then bake for 8 to 12 minutes.

Method 3: air fryer pork chops

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
2. Rub the chops with 1 teaspoon of oil and the seasoning.
3. Cook in one layer for 10 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway through.
4. Rest 3 minutes. Thin chops are ready in 7 to 9 minutes, so check them early.

Method 4: smothered pork chops

1. Season the chops, dredge them lightly in flour and brown them in oil, 3 minutes per side. Set aside.
2. In the same pan, cook 1 sliced onion in 2 tablespoons of butter until soft and golden, about 8 minutes.
3. Stir in 2 tablespoons of flour, then whisk in 2 cups of chicken broth until smooth.
4. Return the chops, cover and simmer gently for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender and 145°F or above.
5. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes with plenty of gravy.

What to serve with pork chops

For more weeknight ideas, see our easy dinner ideas and sheet pan dinners. Family packs are a smart buy when they're on sale; our guide to meal planning on a budget shows how to build a week around them.

Storing leftovers

Refrigerate cooked pork within 2 hours. FoodSafety.gov's cold food storage chart gives cooked meat 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 2 to 3 months in the freezer. Slice leftovers thin for sandwiches or toss them into fried rice; our shrimp fried rice method works with diced pork too.

Plan your pork chop nights

• Meal Planner & Grocery List, $3.99. Plan two pork chop dinners from one family pack and list every side you need.
• Family Recipe Binder, $6.99. Save your smothered pork chop gravy and favorite rub so they taste the same every time.
• Holiday Season Bundle, $15.99 (regularly $25.94 for the six items bought separately). The meal planner plus the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner, a cleaning schedule and savings trackers.

Browse all our Printables.

Short on time? Our air fryer pork chops guide has cook times by thickness. For a crunchy Southern-style dinner, try fried pork chops.

Prefer a tender roast? See our guide on how to cook pork tenderloin, with oven, skillet and air fryer times. For shredded sandwiches instead of chops, use our slow cooker pulled pork recipe. Cooking the whole roast instead of chops? See our pork shoulder cut-and-method guide.