Tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked boneless pork chops are a delicious treat. However, not every boneless chop turns out to be as juicy as you want it to be. So, for a boneless pork chop to be melting in your mouth and dripping with juiciness, you have to keep in mind a few things and follow the protocol. If you are looking to learn how to cook tender boneless pork chops, read ahead to get all the information!
How To Cook Tender Boneless Pork Chops
There are so many different ways you can cook boneless pork chops. Once you brine them, you can cook them in one of the following ways:
- Oven-Baked Pork Chops: One of the easiest and most common ways of cooking boneless pork chops so that they are tender is by cooking them in an oven. Place them in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for about 15 minutes. When cooking these in the oven, make sure you keep an eye on the internal temperature of the meat so the chops don’t dry out.
- Stovetop: For those who don’t have an oven, no problem at all. You can make a skillet pork chop on the stovetop as well. Place them on a heated cast iron skillet and cook on each side for about 4 to 5 minutes. Let it rest before serving.
- Air Fryer Oven: The air fryer oven is another amazing kitchen appliance that has taken the place of a conventional oven. You can easily cook a juicy pork chop in an air fryer oven. Either choose the grill option or the broil option. Either way, you can enjoy perfectly cooked and tender pork chops.
Is Marinating Pork Chops in Brine Necessary?
Although marinating the pork chops in brine is a personal choice, I prefer not to skip this method. That’s because when you put the pork chops in brine, it helps in making the pork tender. Furthermore, as you cook the chops, they won’t lose moisture and dry out. It also helps the chops to absorb more flavors of the marinate.
Check out HomePerch’s favorite brine for pork chops below.
How to Keep Boneless Pork Chops Tender and Juicy
When cooking boneless pork chops, we all look for the final result to be juicy and tender. However, most people complain that their pork chops didn’t turn out to be juicy at all. So, if you want them to stay juicy and tender, here are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Always choose an optimum temperature when cooking pork chops. When cooking them in the oven, 400 degrees F is the right temperature. Furthermore, if you are cooking it on the stovetop, go for medium heat. Cooking pork chops at high temperature evaporates the moisture. So, the chances the chops will dry out are higher.
- Brine helps to keep the chops moist, tender, and juicy. So, place them in a brine for about 2 hours. This will help lock in moisture and flavor.
- Always keep an eye on the internal temperature of the pork chops. Perfectly cooked pork chops should have a 140-degree F internal temperature. Any temperature above this will result in a loss of moisture.
- Lastly, always let the pork chops rest for some time before serving. You can either broil them or cover them with aluminum foil. This also helps lock in the juices and make them tender.
What to Serve with Boneless Pork Chops
There are so many options on what to serve with boneless pork chops. The choices seem to be unlimited. Here are a few ideas you should try:
- Garlic Mashed potatoes: Creamy, fluffy, garlic mashed potatoes are among the best side that goes so well with a number of main courses. Serve it with pork chops to enjoy the combination.
- Roasted vegetables: Roasted vegetables are just perfect with all sorts of main courses, and pork chops are no different.
- Gravy: Make gravy out of the pork drippings and/or pan sauce.
- Garlic rice: Aromatic and laced with a garlicky flavor, garlic rice is super delicious.
- Caramelized onions: Sweet and savory flavor of caramelized onion is also a delicious side with pork chops.
How to Cook Tender Boneless Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 2 boneless pork chops
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- For the brine:
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp black peppercorns whole
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- For the seasoning rub:
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp mustard powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp red chili flakes
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- In a saucepan, add water, brown sugar, kosher salt, and black peppercorns.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Stir so that salt and brown sugar dissolve.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let it cool down.
- In a bowl or a dish, add boneless pork chops and pour the prepared brine mixture over them so that the chops are submerged in them.
- Place the dish in the refrigerator for about one to two hours.
- Once the time is up, remove the pork chops from the refrigerator, take them out of the brine, and place them on a plate.
- Using kitchen towels, pat the chops dry.
- Mix paprika, garlic powder, mustard powder, chili flakes, and salt and mix in a bowl.
- Once the pork chops are dry, rub olive oil on both sides.
- Coat the pork chops with prepared dry rub mixture abundantly.
- Place the chops in a baking dish.
- Place the baking dish in a preheated oven for about 15 minutes at 400-degree F.
- Once the time is up, switch to broil and let the chops cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Using a thermometer, check the internal temperature of the pork chops. It should be 140-degree F.
- Remove the chops from the oven and let them sit for about 5 minutes.
- Serve alongside roasted vegetables and gravy.
Favorite Pork Chops Brines
If you’re looking to add flavor and tenderness to your pork chops, brining is the way to go. A good brine will infuse your meat with moisture and a range of flavors that will leave you wanting more. But with so many options on the market, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together this list of our favorite pork chop brines.
Kosmos Q Pork Soak Brine
If you’re looking for a brine that will change everything you thought you knew about the perfect pork, Kosmos Q Pork Soak Brine is definitely worth trying. With its simple ingredients, including salt, brown sugar, and robust spices, it’s a game-changer that will leave you with tender, crowd-pleasing, and unbelievably juicy cuts every time.
Lane’s BBQ Signature Brine
Lane’s BBQ Signature Brine is easy to use and adds a ton of flavor and moisture to your meat. The Apple Cider Vinegar and Salt penetrate deep into the meat to help break down proteins and add tons of moisture, making your meat more tender and juicy.
Sweet Brine O’Mine 14.2 Ounce Shaker
Sweet Brine O’Mine is a pork injection powder that is mixed with water and used to inject or soak your pork or chicken. It’s a great option for those who want to add some traditional BBQ flavors to their meat, and it’s even used by the World Champion BBQ Team Sweet Swine O’ Mine. The formula combines traditional BBQ flavors with competition BBQ science, and it’s won several awards, including 2nd place pork at Memphis in May and 1st place pork at the World Food Championships.
FAQ
How do you heat up pork without drying it out?
There are a few methods you can use to heat up pork without drying it out:
- Reheat it in the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the pork in an oven-safe dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. This method will help retain the moisture in the pork.
- Reheat it on the stovetop: Place the pork in a skillet with a small amount of oil or butter. Heat on medium-low heat until heated through, stirring occasionally. This method will also help retain the moisture in the pork.
- Reheat it in the microwave: Place the pork in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 30-second intervals until heated through. Be careful not to overheat the pork, as this can cause it to dry out.
Whichever method you choose, be sure to check the internal temperature of the pork with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached a safe temperature of at least 145°F (63°C).