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Tender Pan Seared Pork Chops | How-To Brine

Published: Mar 27, 2017 · Modified: Nov 2, 2022 by Steven Pennington · This post may contain affiliate links.

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With our busy lives, who is great at planning ahead for weeknight dinners? Easy Tender Pan Seared Pork Chops are a great recipe and technique to add to your weekly menu. We'll cover a few options below to take this easy recipe over the top.

I love creating posts that help lower the burden of weeknight dinner plans, made honestly easy. Weeknight dinner plans are easy for the sake of being easy. 

If you love pork as much as we do, you might want to check out our Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs post.

Pan seared pork chops
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⬇️ Table of Contents
  • How Do I Sear Pork Chops?
  • Best Cuts of Pork for Searing
  • 💭 How To Brine Pork Chops
  • 📋 Pork Chop Brine Recipe
  • 🧂  Pork Spice Rub
  • Equipment
  • Sides For Easy Pan Seared Pork Chops
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • Easy Pan Seared Pork Chops Recipe

How Do I Sear Pork Chops?

To sear pork chops, start by patting the chops dry with a paper towel. Then, season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Next, heat a cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Once the pan is hot, place the pork chops in the pan. Cook pork chops for 2-3 minutes per side or until they reach an internal temperature of 140 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Be careful not to overcook the pork chops, as they will become tough.

The USDA states an internal temperature of 145 but has been widely accepted in recent years by chefs an internal temp of 140 is safe. When cooking for someone with any health issues I encourage you to cook to 145. Be careful to remove at an internal temp of 141 and allow the pork chops to rest; during this rest time, the pork chop will finish cooking off the heat and come to 145.

Tender juicy seared pork chops

Great memories of eating Mom's thin-cut bone-in pork chops, dredged in seasoned flour and pan-fried. Boneless pork chops are great too, just do not cook them as long.

The recipe we are working on today has some great eating points. The pork chop recipe is gluten-free and not deep-fried. The flavor profile is ramped-up with fresh herbs and an easy spice rub.

One thing is for sure when you cook with fresh herbs & quality spices, whatever you're cooking is on a one-way ticket to flavor town.

The Weeknight Plan Ahead Factor

May be a bit obvious, but the process of prepping the day before lends itself to much more flavorful, juicy and tender moist pork chops. Allowing the pork chops to brine & marinate creates what is really in line with a restaurant-quality dish.

Here's the best part. You don't have to brine or marinate the pork chops to create a great pork chop. The make-ahead options only allow for better use of the time, allowing them to hang out in the refrigerator and gain flavor and moisture. You will know it was worth the time when you and your family start chomping down on perfectly cooked, tender, moist pork chops.

Best Cuts of Pork for Searing

The best cuts of pork for searing are those that have a fair amount of marbling and a bit of fat. This will help to ensure that the pork is cooked evenly and stays moist. Some good options include the loin, the rib roast, and the tenderloin.

💭 How To Brine Pork Chops

Let's talk about our simple brine. I want you to think about Sunday fried chicken after church. Probably some of the best memories you have around the dinner table.

Grandma's untold magical secret to the best country fried chicken?

The answer is they brine the chicken overnight. in simple salt, sometimes plus sugar. #grandmasfriedchicken

A simple mixture of equal parts sugar and salt does something you could say is nothing short of a food miracle. The main reason you would want to brine anything is to add moisture. The meat becomes moister by the process of osmosis. Another reason people started brining meats is to extend the shelf life of the meat.

When meats are submerged in a liquid such as water /salt/sugar, it creates the perfect seal around the food, protecting it from the air and from denaturing. Hence the longer shelf life.

📋 Pork Chop Brine Recipe

  • 4 Cups of water (add water to the same container the pork will end up inside the refrigerator)
  • 12-15 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme, Dried works also, crush the thyme in your hands first to release the natural oils
  • 5 Garlic Cloves minced
  • ½ Cup of Salt ( The salt is the main ingredient that creates the additional moisture in the pork, fantastic use of salt, right? But it works all so well...and the pork will not be salty
  • ½ Cup of Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground Black Pepper

Side Note- The Brine:  You could bring the brine water to a boil, then turn it off, then add your brine ingredients, then cool it down over an ice bath. This step is not required this time, the reason is the pork will have enough time to absorb the flavors. Yet, bringing it to a boil does offer a more robust brine flavor.

Allow the pork to sit overnight and let the brine do its magic. Do not store for more than 2 days as the salt and sugar will start to break down the protein and become too soft and salty. Once out of the brine rinse off under cold water, then get the pork chops dry as possible with a paper towel.

🧂  Pork Spice Rub

Ok, the pork has been brining for a minimum of 2 hours or best - one day; now, it's time to move over to phase two, the spice rub.

Rub Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Thyme
  • 4 cloves of Garlic minced/pasted ( Pasting- Smash the garlic with your knife, crushing the cellular walls in the garlic, Increasing flavor profile doing this ) Run your knife flat over the garlic on a cutting board to paste. You can add some coarse salt to help the pasting process.
  • 5 Star Anise  (Crush with the bottom of a bowl ) ( If you can't find star anise in the store, do not use it, no problem)
  • 1 tablespoon Coriander Seeds ( Crush with the Star Anise )
  • 1 tablespoon Paprika
  • 1 tablespoon Chili Powder

The flavor is going to be heavenly. I was really impressed the first time I made this. I got the marinate idea from Chef Gordon Ramsey. ( He's really not as mean as people think he is due to the show Hells Kitchen, he's a strong family man and former professional soccer star from the UK )

Add the "patted dry pork chops" to the spice rub, then into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes overnight is best. Place inside a plastic bag.

Photo Of Star Anise

Photo of star anise. Many star anise piled all on top of each other. The color is brown and golden caramel

This is so easy, people. Set your oven to 225 degrees or the lowest setting. Generally, pork chops will overcook in seconds, which is why the low temperature is 225 degrees.

On the stovetop, heat a pan to medium high heat, closer to medium heat. Add olive oil to the pan (4-5 Tbsp) (I like cast iron here, it helps achieve a better crust). Don't just use butter, it will burn. The milk solids in the butter want to burn at high temperatures. You could use clarified butter. The second option is once the pork chops come out of the oven, adding butter to the pan and basting the pork with the yummy butter.

Note: Remove as much of the spice rub leftover pieces as you can from the pork chops so they will not burn in the pan.

Add the pork to the pan, one at a time. Every piece you add to the pan causes the heat from the pan to drop. Add each piece of pork chop about 10-15 seconds apart.

Sear one side for about 2 minutes, then flip them over and start basing the pork chops with a spoon covering the pork chops with the olive oil already in the pan. Add more if you like, even butter.

After both sides are seared, place the pork chops into the oven for 6 to 12 minutes or until you hit 140 internal temperature. The timing will vary depending on how thick the pork chops are purchased. Thick, thin, bone-in, bone-out makes a difference in cook time.

 Once out of the oven, remove the pork chops from the cooking tray or roasting pan and rest the pork for 3 minutes, covered with aluminum foil. Pork chops rest time is the key to tender juicy chops.

Equipment

  • Cast Iron Pan
  • Stainless Steel Skillet (optional)
  • Roasting pan with a wire rack (optional)
  • Kitchen Tongs
  • Plastic Bag (for the brine)

Sides For Easy Pan Seared Pork Chops

  1. Roasted potatoes
  2. Mashed Potatoes
  3. Steamed broccoli
  4. A simple salad
  5. Roasted Brussels sprouts
  6. Mashed sweet potatoes
  7. Grilled asparagus
  8. Fried rice
  9. Quinoa salad
  10. Roasted carrots
  11. Baked sweet potato fries

How Can I Tell If The Pork Chops Are Done?

To test if pork chops are cooked through, insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of the meat. Pork chops are done when they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can I Freeze Pork Chops?

Can I freeze pork chops? Pork chops can be frozen, but it is best to sear and cook them before freezing. The cook time will vary depending on the thickness of the pork chops, but a good rule of thumb is to sear them in a skillet over medium-high heat until they are golden brown and juicy. 

📖 Recipe Card

Tender pan seared pork chops

Easy Pan Seared Pork Chops Recipe

Steven Pennington
This is a quick and easy recipe for pan seared pork chops. It is a great weeknight meal that is simple to prepare and cook. The pork chops are seasoned with a simple spice rub, then seared in a hot pan until they are golden brown and cooked through. Serve with your favorite sides for a complete meal.
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 12 mins
Total Time 22 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 149 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Pork Chops

  • 4 chops Pork Chops Works with all cuts _ The cook times will vary

The Brine

  • 4 cups Water
  • ½ cup Salt (The salt is the main ingredient that creates the additional moisture in the pork) Crazy right? But works all so well…and the pork will not be salty
  • ½ cup Sugar
  • 12 sprigs Fresh Thyme Dried works also, just crush the thyme in your hands first to release the natural oils
  • 5 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 1 tablespoon Black Pepper

Spice Rub

  • 6 cloves Star Anise Lightly crushed (use a plate or bowl
  • 4 sprigs Fresh Thyme
  • 4 cloves Garlic Chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 2 teaspoon Chili Powder
  • 3 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 teaspoon Coriander Seed Lightly crushed (use a plate)

Instructions
 

Preparing The Pork Chops

  • Combine the "Brine" ingredients in a bowl, following completion add the pork chops.
    Make sure to cover all the pork chops with the brine. Brine overnight, or 2 hours minimum. Afterward, rinse the pork chops off underwater and pat dry
    Chef Tip: You can use a food saver bag/machine, add the brine and pork chops, and vacuum seal removing the extra air. (This is a forced fast marinade/brine technique)

The Spice Rub

  • Combine ingredients in a large freezer bag, or large bowl. Be sure to crush the star anise and coriander. The texture of the star anise and coriander will still be large pieces that will be removed once cooked. They will also help season the cooking oil.
    Marinate the seasoned pork chops in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Cooking the Pork Chops

  • Preheat your oven to 225 degrees. Make sure the pork chops are dry.
  • On the stovetop, heat a pan to medium-high heat, closer to medium heat. Add olive oil to the pan ( 4-5 Tbsp) (I like cast iron here, helps achieve a better crust). Don’t just use butter, it will burn. Clarified butter will work because it does not have milk solids, which is what burns when using butter.
  • Before searing the pork chops on the stovetop, remove as much of the spice rub marinate leftover pieces as you can from the pork chops so they will not burn in the pan. IE the star anise and coriander 
  • Add the pork to the pan, one at a time once hot enough
  • Sear one side, about 1 minute a side (will depend on how thick your pork chops are, could be 2 minutes a side) then flip them over and start basing the pork chops with a spoon covering the pork chops with the olive oil already in the pan. Add more olive oil if desired.
  • After both sides are seared place the pork into the oven for about 10 minutes or until you hit 140 internal temperature. The timing will vary depending on the thickness of the pork chops. Thick, thin, bone-in, bone-out, each will change the cooking time.
    I suggest you fare on the side of not cooking the pork chops too long
  • Once out of the oven, remove the pork chops from the cooking tray or pan and rest the pork for 3 minutes covered with aluminum foil.
    (This step helps with the tenderness and moistness)
  • Perfect Pork Chop Chef TIP: Remove from the oven a few minutes before the timer goes off) then add butter to the pan and baste the pork with the yummy butter using a spoon to finish

Notes

🥘 Foods That Get Brined:

Pork
Chicken
Turkey
Beef ( Corned Beef & Pastrami are both created from brining for a minimum of one week in water, spices, and tinted curing mixture (Pink Salt) )
Fish

Quick Tips:

  • Thin pork chops cook in around 70-90 seconds per side on stovetops
  • 1-inch+ pork chops complete cooking time is around 10-12 minutes
  • The low oven temperature of 225 is to make sure the pork chops do not overcook but have a low temperature to complete cooking in the oven. Restaurant quality cooking tip...
  • Brining meats is the key to adding flavor and insurance to moist,  tender cooked meat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ChopCalories: 149kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 7gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1.2gCholesterol: 0.8mgSodium: 24mgPotassium: 174mgFiber: 2.1gSugar: 0.57gVitamin A: 680IUCalcium: 87mgIron: 2.9mg
Keyword Brined Pork Chops Recipe, How To Brine Pork, Tender Pan Seared Pork Chops
Try This Recipe, You'll Love It. Pin it!Mention @ButterNThyme or tag #butternthyme!

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  1. joyce Larry

    January 20, 2019 at 12:42 am

    5 stars
    This is a Beautiful recipe, can't wait to make them ...

    Reply

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