Pork chops are humble enough to grace the weeknight table, yet versatile enough to transform into a showstopper for an elegant meal. When you know how to grill them to juicy perfection, you’ll be the hit of the neighborhood cookout.
Tuesday evening has a unique way of crushing culinary ambition. After a relentless day of staring at screens and answering emails that definitely could have been slack messages, the desire for a premium dinner is usually heavily outweighed by the sheer exhaustion of cooking it. Too often, the default solution is a sad, microwaved leftover … Read more
Some dinners are just dinner. Others make you pause after the first bite, look around the table, and think, well now… that turned out a little too good for a Tuesday. This pork chop marsala is one of those meals. As a cook, I love recipes that look polished but don’t ask you to perform … Read more
The streets of Macau around lunchtime smells of high Heaven if you’ve ever walked around them. You’ve also probably caught that smell – sizzling pork hitting hot oil, toasted bread crackling in the oven, garlic drifting through the air like it owns the place. Follow your nose and you’ll likely end up holding one of … Read more
There’s nothing quite like the magic of smoked pineapple pork chops. One bite and you get that satisfying crunch from a perfectly seared edge, the smoky aroma lingering on your fingers, and the sweet-heat punch of caramelized pineapple that makes your taste buds dance. I’ve made my fair share of pork chops over the years, … Read more
We love grilling pork chops. The meat is mild-tasting, cooks quickly, and pairs well with a number of marinades, rubs, and sauces. But if you can’t find them, or if you would prefer not to eat pork at all, what can you use as a substitute for pork chops? Substitute For Pork Chops The pork … Read more
We’ve been there: You grilled a huge batch of pork chops for a party and wound up with a ton of leftovers. Can you use pork chops for pulled pork in an effort to use up what’s left? And if not, why? Can You Use Pork Chops For Pulled Pork? It’s not a good idea … Read more
When you see a package labeled “pork steaks,” what does that mean? Are these the same thing as pork chops, and if not, how do they differ? Our guide will tell you all you need to know about pork chops vs pork steak. Pork Chops vs Pork Steak Pork chops are typically cut from the … Read more
About how much time do you have to cook off your pork chops before they start to turn the corner? And if you decide to freeze them, how long should you wait before defrosting? This ultimate guide will let you know how long pork chops can stay in the fridge or freezer. How Long Can … Read more
If you’ve ever wondered how to cook thin pork chops without drying them out completely, you’ve come to the right place. Our guide will help you turn out chops that are perfectly moist, even if they’re very thinly sliced. How To Cook Thin Pork Chops Without Drying Them Out When pork chops are dry, it … Read more
Are smoked pork chops already cooked when you buy them, or do you need to cook them to a safe internal temperature? In this guide, we’ll explain everything you ever wanted to know about smoked pork chops—and maybe answer a question or two you never thought of. Are Smoked Pork Chops Already Cooked? The smoked … Read more
We’ve come to learn that it’s all too easy to overcook pork chops. Unlike large, fatty cuts such as Boston butt and picnic shoulder, chops are very lean, which means they’re prone to drying out quickly. If your pork chops come out on the dry side, is there any way to perk them back up … Read more
Pork chops are a lean, tender, and versatile cut. The next time you find a good per-pound price, you might want to stock up. Can you freeze pork chops before or after cooking—and if you do, for how long? Let’s find out. Can You Freeze Pork Chops? Pork chops freeze well and defrost quickly due … Read more
When it comes to grilling, things don’t always work out the way we planned. Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate, or the party ends up being smaller than we expected. In these cases, it’s often best to cut our losses and save the ingredients for another time. But what happens if you were already using meat … Read more
Once you get those lovely grill marks on the exterior of your pork chops, it can be hard to tell whether they’re cooked through in the center. You don’t want to take them off the heat before they’re ready, but with lean meat like pork, overcooking is a real hazard. Let’s find out how to … Read more
You’re probably familiar with the practice of brining whole chicken and turkey, or large cuts of meat like beef brisket. But is it worth it to brine pork chops before grilling? Let’s find out. Pork Chops Brine You can brine pork chops in a saltwater solution for anywhere from 30 minutes to 12 hours. Classic … Read more
With their lean meat and tender texture, pork chops are a great choice for the grill. However, these qualities are also a liability: They don’t contribute much in the way of flavor. That’s where smoked pork chops come in. You can purchase pre-packaged smoked pork chops, which are quick and convenient. However, it’s not that … Read more
It’s a good idea to freeze raw pork if you’re not planning on eating it within three or four days. But what if you’ve forgotten to take it out of the freezer on the day you plan to cook it? In this guide, we’ll tell you how to cook frozen pork chops without defrosting the … Read more
Although there’s no substitute for freshly cooked meat, it is possible to reinvigorate your leftovers. This is especially true when it comes to versatile cuts like chicken breasts and pork chops. However, while I usually prefer to integrate leftover chicken breast into a new meal altogether, pork chops are at their best when they’re the … Read more