How to Cook Thin Pork Chops Without Drying Them Out: Must-Try Recipe

This is the ultimate guide to learning how to cook thin pork chops…without drying them out! Even better? This cut is super quick to make! You’ll have a juicy, tasty dinner ready in no time.

While the quick cooking time is definitely a plus, it can also cause potential issues. In fact, the most challenging thing about cooking thin pork chops is that they can go from undercooked to way too dry in just a few minutes. Even though the window is pretty small, there is a way to cook thin pork chops perfectly every single time.

This guide will provide some pro-cooking tips and show you the best ways to cook thin pork chops.

So, let’s get started.

Thin pork chops cooking tips 

Before getting into the details of different cooking methods for pork chops, let’s discuss tips to keep the meat from drying out. Follow these tips, and you’ll have juicy, tasty pork chops every time you cook them.

1. Get bone-in thin pork chops

The chances of ending up with bone-dry and tasteless meat will increase if you have low-quality pork chops. That’s why buying pork chops from a quality butcher is important.

Consider opting for bone-in and pink-colored pork chops that have some marbling, adding moisture and flavor.

It’s always better to cut the meat off the bone after you cook them than to cook them without the bones.

2. Don’t forget to marinate for a flavor boost

A simple mixture of aromatics (your favorite spices and herbs), salt, oil, lemon juice, or vinegar makes the perfect pork marinade. The meat will tenderize when you let your pork chops sit in the marinade. It does this by breaking down the proteins in the meat.

Ideally, you should place the meat in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 hours after seasoning it with the mixture. You can even let the pork chops sit in the marinade overnight.

3. Bring the chops back to room temperature

After 3 to 4 hours, you’ll need to take the meat out of your refrigerator and place it on your counter for about 30 minutes before you grill or cook them.

This is a very important step, so don’t skip it! Bringing the meat to room temperature helps you cook it evenly, and it’ll also help pork chops retain their moisture.

4. Sear the meat on the stove

Sear the pork chops quickly on your stove before transferring them to the oven. It’ll seal in the juices by creating a proper crust and will keep the pork chops tender. Do this step whether you bake or cook the pork chops in the air fryer.

5. Use a Meat Thermometer

Investing in a meat thermometer comes in handy while cooking pork chops or any other piece of meat. Pork chops are done when they reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

You need to use this method because if they reach an internal temperature of 160F, they will begin to dry out. Remove them from the oven or stove as soon as they reach 145F.

6. Let the meat rest

After removing your pork chops from the oven, let them rest for about 3 to 8 minutes while they’re covered. It’ll help the meat stay juicy, tender, and flavorful. This rest also completes the cooking process. The heat within the pork chops will keep cooking the meat while it rests.

How to cook thin pork chops without drying them out

Now that you know the essential tips and cooking hacks for juicy pork chops, here are some of the most popular (and easiest) ways to cook your thin pork chops. You can use tried and true methods to cook pork chops.

Oven-baked pork chops

Oven-baked pork chops are incredibly easy to make! This is our favorite recipe, and it never fails.

Ingredients

• 4 pork chops (about 1 to 1.5 inches thick)
• 5 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 2 teaspoons of paprika that can be either smoked or sweet
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Rub olive oil on both sides of the chops.
3. Mix the rest of the ingredients and season the meat before placing it in your refrigerator for about 3 to 4 hours.
4. Remove the meat from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature.
5. Sear the chops on the stove for a few minutes before placing them in your oven.
6. Place the pork chops inside the oven and bake them for about 20 to 25 minutes.
7. Check the inside temperature of the meat by using the thermometer.
8. Remove the chops from the oven if the temperature is between 140 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. Cover the chops and let them sit for 5 minutes.

Oven-baked pork chops

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Ingredients

  

• 4 pork chops about 1 to 1.5 inches thick
• 5 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 2 teaspoons of paprika that can be either smoked or sweet
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Rub olive oil on both sides of the chops.
• Mix the rest of the ingredients and season the meat before placing it in your refrigerator for about 3 to 4 hours.
• Remove the meat from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature.
• Sear the chops on the stove for a couple of minutes before placing them into your oven.
• Place the pork chops inside the oven and bake them for about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Check the inside temperature of the meat by using the thermometer.
• Remove the chops from the oven if the temperature is between 140 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Cover the chops and let them sit for 5 minutes.

Grilled pork chops

Follow this recipe, and you’ll have juicy pork chops on the grill. You can use an indoor grill or make them on your gas or coal grill.

Ingredients

• 4 pork chops (about 1 to 1.5 inches thick)
• 2 teaspoons of kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of cracked black pepper
• ½ teaspoon of ground mustard
• ¼ cup of vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• 5 teaspoons of cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients and follow the same marination method discussed above.
2. Preheat the grill to 400 degrees. It usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the grill.
3. Place the chops on your grill (make sure you choose the hottest spot) and sear the meat for about 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Flip the chops and repeat the process.
5. Move the meat from the hottest spot and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes. Flip each chop after 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Use the thermometer to check the inside temperature of each chop and remove them at around 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Allow the meat to rest for about 3 to 8 minutes before serving.

Seared Pork Chops

When you sear pork chops, you’re making them on the stove. You could also call this method “pan-frying.” I like to use a cast-iron skillet because it gives the pork chops extra flavor. You can also transfer a skillet to the oven to keep them warm.

Ingredients

• 2 pork chops (about 1 to 1.5 inches thick)
• ¼ cup of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup of olive oil
• ¼ cup of balsamic vinegar
• 6 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 4 smashed garlic cloves
• A pinch of freshly found black pepper
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 2 tablespoons of butter

Instructions

1. Whisk together thyme sprigs, garlic cloves, olive oil, balsamic olive oil, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard in a large bowl.
2. Pour the marinade over the chops and place in your refrigerator for about 3 to 4 hours.
3. Remove them from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature.
4. Use pepper and salt to season the pork chops generously.
5. Preheat the cast-iron skillet to a medium-high temperature after pouring in some olive oil.
6. Place your pork chops in the cast-iron skillet and add one teaspoon of butter.
7. Cook the pork chops for about 3 to 5 minutes on each side.
8. Use the thermometer to check the temperature.
9. Remove the chops from the skillet if the temperature is 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
10. Cover the pork chops with foil and let them sit for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.

FAQs about thin pork chops

How long should you bake thin pork chops?

It’s best to bake pork chops at 425F for 20 minutes. Check the internal temperature after about 20 minutes so you can prevent them from becoming overcooked. Bake them at 375F for about 30 minutes if you prefer a lower temperature.

Should you cover pork chops when you bake them?

This is optional, but it can help the chops stay juicy. Bake them uncovered at first, then cover them with foil and let them back covered in foil for the last 5 minutes. You could also skip this step and let them rest covered on a plate after they reach 145F.

Should I add oil to the pan when searing pork chops?

Yes, always cook pork chops with some form of cooking fat. Most people like to use vegetable or olive oil for this. This is because the oil coats the pan and gives the pork chops a beautiful sear.

As you can see, cooking thin pork chops is easy and will result in a delicious meal the entire family will enjoy.

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