How to cook center cut pork chops

When you get pork chops, what type do you usually buy? I used to buy packs of the fairly thin, bone-in pork chops like I used in this Pork Chops with Mushroom Cream Sauce recipe. They cook quickly (sometimes maybe a little too quickly), and leftovers make great sandwiches.

When I started ordering my meat from ButcherBox, I was in for a surprise! When I got my first pack of chops, they were huge, boneless, 2-inch thick, 8 oz. chops!

If you’d like to try out ButcherBox, feel free to use this link to get a $30 credit when you sign up (and I’ll get $30 off mine too).

I had never cooked 2-inch thick pork chops, so I had to experiment a bit to make sure the center was cooked through without burning or drying out the edges. I’m excited to share my method so you don’t waste a single bite of these big, juicy, delicious pork chops!

Ingredients Needed for the Perfect Pork Chops

As always, you will find the complete recipe below, just keep scrolling. This is quick overview of the ingredients you will need to make the best thick cut pork chops:

• Thick cut pork chops: this recipe includes cooking time specifically for a 2 inch pork chop. 
• Steak marinade: I use Allegro, but you can use your favorite brand.
• Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper

How do you cook tender pork chops?

If you’ve ever tried cooking thick pork chops and were disappointed with dry, flavorless chops, this post is for you! You need to follow these simple steps for the BEST thick cut pork chops! 

1. Marinade the pork chops in 1/3 cup steak marinade and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Allow the chops to marinade at least one hour, up to 24 hours. 
2. When ready to cook preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Remove the chops from the marinade and season well with salt and pepper on each side. 
3. Heat an oven safe skillet over high heat, add one tablespoon of olive oil. When the skillet and oil are piping hot add the pork chop and sear 2 minutes on each side. After searing place the entire skillet with the chops in the oven and bake 10 minutes, flip and bake another 5-10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. 

Tips for the Best Pork Chops

• Do not skip the marinade. This gives the chops amazing flavor and helps to tenderize the meat. 
• Use an oven safe skillet such as a good, heavy bottom cast iron skillet.
• Do not sear longer than 2 minutes. 
• Use a meat thermometer, remove the chops from the oven as soon as they reach 145 degrees F. 
• Allow the meat to rest 5 minutes before cutting into it, this helps to prevent all the juices from escaping if you cut into it too quickly. 

What should I serve with Pork Chops?

These pork chops pair perfectly with just about any side dish! I served my pork chops with these Cheesy Roasted Asparagus. It is quick, easy and naturally low carb! These are some other great ideas:

• Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
• Bacon Fried Cabbage
• Instant Pot Collard Greens
• Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

Other Pork Recipes

• Blackened Pork Chops with Fried Cabbage
• One Pan Pork Chops with Cream Sauce
• Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Mushrooms
• Ham and Cheese Quesadilla

Continue to Content

How to Cook a Thick Cut Pork Chop Perfectly

Yield: 2

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Additional Time: 1 minute

Total Time: 26 minutes

Learn exactly how to cook a thick cut pork chop so it is perfectly tender and juicy! 

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Ingredients

• 2 (two inch) thick cut pork chops
• 1/3 cup steak marinade
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Marinade the pork chops in 1/3 cup steak marinade and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Allow the chops to marinade at least one hour, up to 24 hours. 
2. When ready to cook preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Remove the chops from the marinade and season well with salt and pepper on each side. 
3. Heat an oven safe skillet over high heat, add one tablespoon of olive oil. When the skillet and oil are piping hot add the pork chop and sear 2 minutes on each side.
4. After searing place the entire skillet with the chops in the oven and bake 10 minutes, flip and bake another 5-10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. 

Notes

I use Allegro marinade, but you can use your favorite brand.

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  Utopia Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet - 12.5 Inch - Black

Nutrition Information:Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1 pork chop
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 218Total Fat: 11.6gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 288mgCarbohydrates: 1.2gNet Carbohydrates: 1.1gFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.4gProtein: 26g

To avoid any confusion I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it is not known to affect blood glucose levels. To calculate Keto recipes listed on this site carbs - fiber = net carbs. I use Nutrifox as my nutrition calculator. This nutrition information is an estimate based on the information provided by Nutrifox and the specific ingredients I used.

How long do center cut pork chops take to cook?

The best way to keep your pork chops from drying out is to bake them at high temperature for a shorter amount of time. I bake my pork chops at 425° F. At this temperature, 1-inch thick boneless pork chops take between 15-20 minutes to cook.

How do I cook pork chops so they don't dry out?

High-heat frying sears them to a golden brown; and a moderately hot oven (400 degrees F) bakes the pork chops gently enough to keep them from drying out. This "sear-roasting" method is a great way to cook pork chops in the oven: Fry one side to golden brown, then flip, and place the chops directly in the oven.

What is the best method to cook pork chops?

When you're frying thin pork chops over medium-high to high heat, 2 to 3 minutes per side is just right for browning and cooking them all the way through. For thicker chops, brown on both sides then check the internal temperature with a digital thermometer. It will take 5 to 6 minutes per side to completely cook them.

How long does it take to cook center cut pork chops in the oven?

Baking pork chops in the oven at 350 F, uncovered, will take 20 to 30 minutes, and it will take 18 to 25 minutes if you bake pork chops covered with aluminum foil. Bake the pork chops until the internal temperature are 145 F internally.