Cream of Mushroom Soup Pork Chops (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to moist pork chops? ›

A longer brine will bring more moisture into the pork, but a quick brine will still be helpful if you're in a rush to get dinner started. A thick pork chop (1 ½” to 2”) can brine for longer, but avoid brining for more than 8 hours to prevent toughness. After brining, rinse pork chops and pat dry to remove excess salt.

We ask you to cover the pork with foil or parchment during baking. By gently cooking the chops this way, they remain juicy and become tender.

On their own, pork chops are a lean, bland cut of meat. Seasoning with salt before cooking is an essential step in bringing out the meat's natural flavors. Season generously, and remember that even a very short brine (just 30 minutes) will improve the taste and texture of the meat.

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.

Tips for The Best Baked Pork Chops

Use a relatively low temperature to cook the baked pork chops slowly. 350 degrees F takes about 15 minutes longer to cook the chops to the right internal temperature than 400 degrees, but it results in a juicier and more flavorful meal.

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.

2 Method #2: Oven-Baked

Start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees. Using a sheet pan fitted with a rack, you'll be able to bake your pork chops without having to flip them during the baking process. If desired, coat the chops with seasoned bread crumbs or panko crumbs.

USDA research has found that washing or rinsing meat or poultry increases the risk for cross-contamination in the kitchen, which can cause foodborne illness. From a food safety perspective, washing raw poultry, beef, pork, lamb or veal before cooking it is not recommended as the safest method.

What can I add to pork to make it taste better? ›

One way to determine your porks' doneness is by the color of the juices that come out of it when you poke a hole in it with a knife or fork. If the juices run clear or are very faintly pink, the pork is done cooking. If they're mostly or entirely pink or red, it's best to continue cooking.

The best way to make sure you end up with a juicy baked pork chop, is too bake them for 45 minutes at 275F. This technique works best with thick cut chops, 1.5-2 inches thick. That way they won't dry out so easily. It's also a good idea to bake them at a low temperature so they slowly and evenly cook.

If you throw a pork chop on the stove or grill when they are ice-cold, they will easily overcook. The answer: Take your pork chops out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan to cook them. During this time, you can season or marinate them and prepare your side dishes. DO rest your pork chops after cooking.

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.

Combine water, salt, and any additional seasonings in a large container. Stir well to dissolve the salt and sugar. Soak the pork chops in the brine solution, making sure they're fully coated. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.