Preparing pork chops – everything you need to know

Chicken, beef and even fish seem to take all the glory in food preparation. But what about pork?!

Pork can be a great source of protein. And the variety of cuts of meat offers so many versatile flavors to add to your favorite pork meal prep. So get ready to serve bacon, sausage, ham, pork chops and pork tenderloin.

Here you will not only find healthy pork recipes for your favorite piece of pork, but also a variety of preparation methods. So there is bound to be a pork recipe that suits your taste and cooking style. Pork tastes great in a Dutch oven, on the grill, and in a sheet pan.

So if you’re looking for the sweet, smoky, and savory flavor of pork to add to your healthy meal, you’ve come to the right place!

We’ll walk you through Tips for preparing your best pork chop recipe And then we provide you with our recipes so you can start preparing excellent pork chop dishes.

Tips on how to cook the perfect pork chop for meal prep

Pork chops are relatively lean cuts of meat. They’re packed with beneficial vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, selenium, and vitamins B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin), B6, and B12. Here are a few tips to add to your pork meal prep recipes

1. Season before cooking.

Before cooking, give the meat extra flavor with salt, pepper, and other seasonings. Waiting until the meat has finished seasoning won’t bring out the flavor as well as adding it before cooking.

2. brine before cooking.

Salting pork chops can help keep them juicy and flavorful while cooking. For salting, dissolve 1/4 cup salt in 4 cups water and add desired seasonings. Soak the pork chops in the brine for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours) before cooking.

3. Serve before cooking.

Cooking a chilled chop often results in part of the chop being overcooked. To ensure even cooking, remove the pork chop from the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours before cooking to allow it to rest and come to room temperature. After this resting period, blot the meat with a paper towel to remove excess liquid.

4. Choose the right cut.

There are different types of pork chops. When choosing a particular cut, pay attention to which type of pork chop will work best with your pork chop recipe. You can always ask the butcher at the meat counter for advice. In general, look for pork chops that are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick and have good marbling to keep the meat juicy and tender. Avoid chops that are too thin as they can dry out easily.

5. Use a thermometer.

Overcooking leads to tough meat and undercooking can make you ill. The best way to avoid both is to use an instant-read thermometer when cooking pork chops. They are relatively cheap and easy to buy online. Remove your pork chop from the heat when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.

6. Use a pan and an oven.

While you can get a great pork chop using many different cooking methods, we recommend using a sheet pan or griddle and oven combo. Heat a large skillet or griddle over high heat until hot. Add some olive oil or just regular cooking oil to the pan. Once the oil is hot, pour in the pork chops. Be careful not to overfill the pan. Sear the pork chops until a golden brown crust forms, about 3-4 minutes on each side. Turn the chops only once to keep them from drying out. For thicker pork chops, place in a preheated oven (at 200°C) and cook an additional 6-8 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 63°C (145°F) for a safe and tender chop.

7. Store individually to freeze.

If you’re preparing pork chops in multiple batches to use over the next few weeks, wrap the seasoned pork chops individually. These are chops without sauces but with condiments such as mixed spice or ranch seasoning. For pork chops with gravy, use the smallest meal prep container possible to pack your pork chop and gravy well.

With these tips, you’ll be sure to prepare a tender and juicy chop to enjoy this week’s meal prep or from the freezer for weeks to come.

Grab your favorite pork chops recipe and follow the cooking instructions. Pork chops cook well in the oven, air fryer, skillet, slow cooker, and grill.

Make sure you let the pork rest and cool before transferring to your meal prep container.

Then store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or in the freezer for approx. 3 months.

Best side dishes for preparing pork chops

Many delicious side dishes go well with pork chops. Here are a few ideas:

1. Roasted Vegetables: Roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes complement the sweetness of pork chops.
2. Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes pair well with the hearty flavor of pork chops.
3. Sauteed Spinach: Fresh spinach sautéed with garlic and olive oil is a light and flavorful side dish.
4. Applesauce: The sweetness of applesauce is a classic combination.
5. Rice Pilaf: Flavorful rice pilaf infused with herbs, spices, and veggies is a great way to add variety to your meal.
6. Green Beans: Lightly blanched green beans with garlic and lemon add a bright and fresh contrast to the rich pork chops.
7. Coleslaw: A crunchy and flavorful slaw is a great way to add some texture and freshness to your meal.
8. Baked Beans: Sweet and savory baked beans pair well with the smoky flavor of pork chops.

Which side dishes go best with pork chops ultimately depends on personal taste. Try experimenting with different flavors and textures to find the perfect complement to your pork chops.

The Top 5 Recipes for preparing pork dishes On the planet

Once you’ve mastered the perfect pork chop using the tips above, spice up your weekly menu with some of these flavorful pork recipes. You can also use pork instead of chicken in recipes you’re already familiar with. Not only is pork delicious, it can also be quite affordable. So the next time you’re on the lookout for pork in the supermarket, grab it. Pork could be your new protein source of choice.

If you’re looking for a super easy dinner recipe, start with one of these pork meal prep recipes:

Sweet potatoes stuffed with grilled pork tenderloin and coleslaw

Are you looking for an easy recipe that gives you a variety of meal prep options? This pork tenderloin will be ready in the preheated oven in minutes, keeping your prep time to a minimum. And not only does it go great with that coleslaw and sweet potato, but you can double up on the pork recipe and serve it with a side of brown rice and veggies.

Crispy pork and rice

This is the perfect meal prep recipe for a week. This filling and flavorful pork and rice dish is easy to portion into individual storage containers for on-the-go serving. Mix the recipe with your favorite vegetables.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork – Carnitas

Planning ahead for a slow-cooker meal is exactly the opposite of what your busy schedule would allow. But imagine being able to pull juicy pork carnitas out of your freezer on a crazy work night! This pulled pork freezes really well. Prepare a large batch on Sundays and keep the pork in your freezer for months. Freeze it in single-serving sachets for easy weeknight consumption. And if you’re short on the ingredients for the carnitas, put a bag of meat in a bowl of rice and make a delicious burrito bowl with the beans and veggies you have right now.

Air Roasted Bacon Brussels Sprouts

If you don’t have an air fryer, this recipe also works well in the oven. The crunchy Brussels sprouts pair perfectly with the salty, sweet bacon. If you’ve been eating the same veggies every night, it’s time to change things up with this easy recipe.

Green beans with bacon, jalapeño and garlic

Spice up your life with these tasty green beans. If you’ve ever thought about giving up green beans because they lack flavor, then not this recipe! The combination of bacon and jalapeño will make your mouth water and you’ll even forget you’re eating your veggies.

Check out Fit Men Cook for more recipes and meal prep ideas.