Baked Pork Chops Recipe - Country Recipe Book (2024)

This baked pork chops recipe was a favorite of grandma’s friend Louise. Louise was known for two things… never driving above 29mph in her car, and for making the best damn baked pork chops. She’d come over and they’d spend time bickering about things that old people bicker about,all the while the house would begin to smell wonderful as she made this delicious recipe.

This recipe has been very popular and had many 5 star ratings. It is actually a very easy recipe that will be popular with the whole family.

How to Make Baked Pork Chops – Country Style!

There’s just a few simple ingredients you’ll need for this recipe and chances are most they’re already in the pantry. Salt, pepper, brown sugar and good quality ketchup. The only things you’ll need to buy are some of your favorite pork chops and an onion. The onion was actually my favorite part. They’d get nice and soft on top of the pork chops with that delicious brown sugar cooked right in. My goodness this combination of flavors brings me back to my childhood every time I make it.

Sauce Thickness for Baked Pork Chops

We should also mention that the sauce becomes thin and watery. This makes the pork chops come out very tender and juicy as they cook in the liquid. When you take them out of the tray to serve just allow them to drip off any excess liquid.

Our readers have also commented that cheaper ketchup sauce tends to be more watery. So it’s important to use a good quality ketchup or bbq ketchup is used. Based on this feedback we have adjusted the recipe to no longer include water.

Side Dishes that Will Suit Baked Pork Chops

A lot of our readers have commented that they have served mashed potatoes or tots as a side dish. This is perfect for this recipe as there is some excess liquid after the pork chops are baked. The excess liquid has also been used to make a gravy. Let us know what side dish you made for this recipe in the comments below.

Try out these amazing recipes too:
Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin Recipe
Slow Roasted Crockpot Pork Chops

Baked Pork Chops FAQs and Guidelines

This is a very popular recipe which has led to a lot of questions from our readers. We hope to collate some of the more common questions and answers below.

Will Boneless Pork Chops Work?

You can use any pork chops you like but we always used the bone-in chops that were about an inch thick. The bone-in pork chops always seem to have a bit more flavor, but boneless chops work well too. For some extra flavor you could pierce the chops with a fork and let the sauce marinade a bit before cooking (thanks Anne Doerksen for the tip!).

Will These Taste As Good As BBQ Pork Chops?

These baked pork chops come out with a completely different flavour to BBQ pork chops. As they are cooked in sauce, the oven baked chops will come out juicy, tender and delicious! The overall flavor is sweet and juicy thanks to the brown sugar. If you want that smokey BBQ flavour then cook these up on a BBQ.

Will These Chops Come Out Watery?

Depending on the ketchup brand used, the pork chops can come out quite watery. This leads to very tender, juicy chops. Often pork can be dry and you will find this is not the case if you follow this easy baked pork recipe. To reduce the amount of water ensure you use good quality ketchup and leave the tray uncovered more than the recommended amount in the recipe. Some of our very clever readers have suggested using excess juices as a base for a gravy sauce.

FAQs about Baked Pork Chops Recipe

What seasoning to use for pork chops?

You can add salt, paprika, onion powder, pepper, sugar, Worcestershire, vinegar, and garlic for your pork chops. These flavors will make this dish taste grand. Remember not to use balsamic vinegar and stick to white vinegar instead.

For a tangy and sweet hint, you may also add ketchup along with sugar. This produces a much-thickened sauce for the chops.

What temperature should I cook pork chop to?

If you’re using a standard oven, bake the chops to 220C or 430F. However, if you’re using a convection oven, 200C or 390 F is the perfect temperature.

How to serve Southern smothered pork chops recipe?

You can toss in marble potatoes on the baking pan. Sprinkle the potatoes with a bit of olive oil and a pinch of salt, then cook it with the chops. The potatoes will appear quite crispy on top. The bottom part will absorb all the sauce and the glaze from the baked pork chop.

Serve the pork chops with steamed broccoli, asparagus, or green beans. You can also whip up a tangy salad using balsamic vinegar or Caesar salad dressing for the side dish.

Alternatively, a dollop of mashed potato with herbs or a serving of rice makes up for a more hearty meal.

How do you know when pork chops are done?

The internal temperature of the baked pork chops should be 145F or 63C. Make sure not to overcook as the chops can turn hard and gummy.

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Country Style Baked Pork Chops

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Serves:4

Baked Pork Chops Recipe - Country Recipe Book (1)

Baked pork chop recipe.

Ingredients

  • 4 bone-in pork chops
  • ⅓ cup good quality ketchup
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 4 large onion slices

Instructions

  1. Season each pork chop with salt and pepper.
  2. in a bowl, combine brown sugar and ketchup and stir it up real well.
  3. Place pork chops in a large baking dish and cover with them with the mixture. Add onion slices to the top of each pork chop.
  4. Place pork chops in a large baking dish and cover with them with the mixture. Add onion slices to the top of each pork chop.
  5. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 375 degrees F for 35-50 minutes.
  6. Baste pork chops halfway through cooking. Cook for remaining time uncovered.
Baked Pork Chops Recipe - Country Recipe Book (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to bake pork chops covered or uncovered? ›

Some baked pork chop recipes do require that the pan is covered with either foil or a lid. It creates steam and ensures that the meat is tender and juicy. Those recipes typically require a long cook time and may add vegetables to the pan, and some uncover the chops to finish browning them at a higher temperature.

How long does it take to cook pork chops in the oven at 350 degrees? ›

How Long to Bake Pork Chops at 350 Degrees F. Baking pork chops at 350 degrees F will generally take 20 to 30 minutes.

How do you keep pork chops from drying out when you bake them? ›

I like to brine my chops before cooking. It helps them stay moist. Also I avoid overcooking, which seems to be the most common reason for dry chops. I use a meat probe to make sure I pull them out at the right moment, and then a short rest helps redistribute the juices.

What is the best way to cook pork chops so they are not tough? ›

How to Make Tender Pork Chops
  1. Opt for Thick-Cut Bone-In Pork Chops. Thin-cut pork chops won't sear properly in the time it takes to cook them through. ...
  2. Skip the Brine, but Season Liberally. ...
  3. Let the Pork Chops Rest. ...
  4. Sear Pork Chops Over Medium-High Heat. ...
  5. Baste the Pork Chops. ...
  6. Let the Pork Chops Rest, Again. ...
  7. Serve.
Feb 14, 2018

Should you flip pork chops in the oven? ›

After 10 minutes, flip the pork chops to ensure even cooking. Continue baking until there is no longer any pink and the juices run clear. Note that for some marinades, the juices will always have some tint of color due to the color of the marinade.

Is it better to bake pork chops at 350 or 400? ›

Is it better to bake pork chops at 350 or 400? Unless a meat or vegetable is being covered for a “Low and Slow” approach, I like higher-temp cooking. 400 degrees is efficient at maintaining the sear on the outside while cooking the meat through for juicy results.

What is the best temperature for baking pork chops? ›

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Sprinkle pork chops on all sides with thyme, salt, and pepper. Place on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a pork chop reads 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), about 20 minutes.

What temperature are pork chops most tender? ›

Cook pork, roasts, and chops to 145 ºF as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source, with a three-minute rest time before carving or consuming. This will result in a product that is both safe and at its best quality—juicy and tender.

What is the best method to cook pork chops? ›

A quick turn in a hot pan followed by a little time in the oven is another great way to cook pork chops. You build color and flavor in the skillet, then hand the cooking over to the oven, which gives you time to prep the rest of the meal.

What is the secret to making tender pork chops? ›

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.

Should you wash pork chops before baking? ›

Washing beef, pork, lamb, or veal before cooking it is not recommended. Bacteria in raw meat and poultry juices can be spread to other foods, utensils, and surfaces. We call this cross-contamination. Some consumers think they are removing bacteria and making their meat or poultry safe.

What liquid should I cook pork in? ›

Aside from barbecue sauce, something tangy and sweet is a good go-to for slow-cooked pork. Apple cider vinegar has the right amount of acidity to break down the fattiness and is equipped with a bright flavor that pairs beautifully with pork. Using liquids you would normally drink is also a good choice.

How to make pork extremely 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.

Will pork chops get more tender the longer you cook them? ›

Because pork chops are such a lean cut, they are relatively quick-cooking and prone to overcooking. When they're cooked for even a few minutes too long, whether it's in the oven or on the stovetop or grill, they're quick to dry out, and — you guessed it — become tough, chewy, and less than appealing.

How to cook pork chops for beginners? ›

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.

Should pork be covered when baking? ›

Tenting can be suitable for some cuts of meat, but if you want a crunchy crust on your roast, then it's best to leave it uncovered. If you notice that the roasted pork is browning too much, you can lightly cover it with aluminum foil. However, do not cover it for the last 5-10 minutes in the oven.

Should pork be covered when cooking? ›

Do not cover pork crackling joints while they're cooking, or you'll be left with soggy crackling. There's no need to baste pork while it's cooking as the fat should keep it moist, but some cooks like to brush the crackling with a little extra oil once or twice.

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