Garlic Butter Pork Chops
This Garlic Butter Pork Chops recipe tops juicy pork chops with a homemade sauce that’s rich and flavorful, but incredibly simple. Searing the pork chops before adding the garlicky butter topping gives them a beautiful brown crust that’s fork-tender and mouthwatering.
Complete your meal with this easy fried cabbage, a classic side dish for garlic butter pork chops.
Table of Contents
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: Stovetop
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free option
- Skill Level: Easy
Pork chops are one of my favorite things to cook and eat, and I’m always looking for new ways to serve them. Much like boneless, skinless chicken, they are a blank slate for flavors. But because they are lean, they can dry out easily. For chicken, I’ve developed my oven-baked method to make them perfectly juicy while imparting tons of deliciousness. For chops, I like to use my skillet on the stove and add a luscious sauce for good measure.
This versatile recipe pairs wonderfully with all kinds of vegetables, especially mashed potatoes, and you’ll find yourself wishing for more of the delectable sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Pork Chops Recipe
- Infused with flavor. Pork is already a delightful mix of savory and slightly sweet, then you’ll add even more flavor with fresh lemon juice and zest, and garlic!
- That sauce! Butter and garlic are one of the best combinations around! They infuse these pork chops with gorgeous flavor – and you can use the sauce for other meats, too.
- Gluten-free. I love a naturally gluten free main dish. All of the ingredients needed to make garlic butter pork chops are already gluten free, so you won’t need to worry about making any substitutions. You can also feel free to use vegan butter for a dairy-free option.
Recipe Ingredients
I’ve listed everything in this recipe below for quick reference. The full ingredient amounts are in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Pork Chops: We love boneless pork chops in this recipe.
- Salt and Pepper
- Avocado Oil: Or use another neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil.
- Butter: I use unsalted butter for the sauce.
- Garlic: If you don’t have fresh garlic, substitute 2 teaspoons of garlic powder, or use jarred minced garlic.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is the best here, but if needed, you can use bottled lemon juice.
- Lemon Zest
- Italian Seasoning: Try a mix of equal parts dried oregano and basil if you don’t have Italian seasoning. Also, check that your seasoning blend is gluten free, if needed.
- Chicken Broth: You can use low-sodium chicken broth, vegetable broth, or water if needed. If you use store-bought, ensure it is gluten free, if necessary.
- Parsley: To garnish the chops.
How To Make Garlic Butter Pork Chops
- Season. Add salt and pepper to both sides of the pork chops.
- Sear. Heat the oil in a skillet and sear the chops on each side until browned, then remove them.
- Cook the garlic. In the same skillet, melt the butter. Sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes.
- Add broth. Whisk in the chicken broth.
- Finish the sauce. Whisk in the lemon juice, lemon zest, Italian seasoning, and parsley.
- Add pork. Return the pork chops to the skillet.
- Cook. Spoon the sauce over the chops and cook for a few minutes more.
- Serve! To serve, spoon the sauce over the chops and sprinkle on the chopped parsley.
Tips & Variations
- Choose your pork. For this recipe, you can use either bone-in or boneless pork chops. Bone-in chops tend to be more flavorful and juicy, while boneless are quicker to cook and easier to eat. My family prefers the boneless variety, but you can use whichever one you prefer. Bone-in will just need an extra minute or two per side. Go by the thermometer instead of the clock.
- Watch the garlic. Garlic has a tendency to burn, so watch it carefully as you’re making the sauce. If it begins to brown too quickly, lower the heat or remove the skillet from the heat to let it cool a bit before resuming making the sauce. If the garlic burns, discard the sauce and start again.
- Use an instant-read thermometer. To make sure that the pork chops are cooked to a safe temperature, always use an instant-read thermometer. When the thermometer reads 145°F, let them rest for three minutes, and you can ensure the pork chops are cooked fully.
- Make the sauce in advance. Go ahead and prepare the garlic butter mixture sauce ahead of time. Place it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. Then, just before serving the pork chops, gently reheat the sauce over low heat.
- Go dairy-free. If you wish to make this recipe dairy-free, you can substitute your favorite plant-based margarine or butter for the butter, or try olive oil.
Juicy Pork Chop FAQs
What temperature should pork chops be cooked to?
145°F on an instant-read thermometer, followed by a 3-minute rest.
Can I use bone-in pork chops?
Yes. They can take an extra minute or two per side, so check the temperature rather than going by time.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, then gently reheat it over low heat just before serving.
Can I make this dairy free?
Swap the butter for margarine or a plant-based butter, or use olive oil.
Proper Storage
If you have any leftover pork chops, here’s what to do with them:
- Fridge – Place the cooled pork chops in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer – Cool the chops and wrap each one in a layer of plastic bag, then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- To Reheat – Add a splash of broth or water to a skillet to prevent the chops from drying out, then place leftover chops in the skillet over low heat and heat until warm. Or, place the chops in the microwave and heat them in 30-second intervals until heated through.
Make It A Meal
Garlic butter pork chops will be the star of your plate, so add a few side dishes to make a fuller meal, like vegetables, potatoes or rice, and a fresh loaf of French bread to soak up any leftover sauce. See a few of my favorite options to serve with pork chops:
- Potatoes. Mashed potatoes and garlic butter pork chops make the best comfort food meal! Top a big pile of Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with chops and butter sauce. Or, make creamy Whipped Cauliflower.
- Vegetables. A side of vegetables is always welcome with a hearty main dish. Perfect vegetable sides for these pork chops include Roasted Asparagus, Air Fryer Broccoli, Roasted Cauliflower, or Baked Sweet Potatoes.
- Salad. Try a crisp salad like my Winter Fruit Feta Salad or Mango Blackberry Salad with Goat Cheese recipes to offset the richness of the pork.
- Rice. The easiest side, rice is a nice addition to garlic butter pork chops. Learn how to perfectly make white rice or brown rice.
Garlic Butter Pork Chops
This Garlic Butter Pork Chops recipe tops juicy, tender pork chops with a rich homemade sauce.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork chops (½” thick)
- salt and pepper , to taste
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil or another neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons finely chopped parsley plus additional for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Pat 4 boneless pork chops dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 Tablespoons avocado oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and sear them for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove the pork chops from the skillet and set them aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter. Add 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Whisk in ¼ cup chicken broth, 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and 2 Tablespoons finely chopped parsley.
- Return pork chops and accumulated juices to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the chops until they are fully coated. Cook for 1-2 minutes, turning once, until the pork chops are heated through and reach 145°F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from the heat and rest for 3 minutes.
- Remove pork chops to serving dishes and top with pan sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Ingredient substitutions:
- Pork Chops: Substitute with bone-in pork chops. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Avocado Oil: If you don’t have avocado oil, I recommend vegetable or canola oil, but you can also use olive oil or coconut oil, being sure your pan isn’t too hot.
- Unsalted Butter: For a dairy-free version, you can use margarine or a plant-based butter alternative. Olive oil also works.
- Garlic Cloves: If fresh garlic isn’t available, you can use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder per clove as a substitute or jarred minced garlic.
- Lemon Juice and Zest: If you’re out of fresh lemons, you can use lime juice and zest for a slightly different citrus profile, or a small amount of white wine or vinegar for acidity. Bottled lemon juice can also work in a pinch.
- Chicken Broth: Vegetable broth or even water with a bit more seasoning can be used as a substitute.
Nutrition Facts
Garlic Butter Pork Chops
Amount Per Serving (1 pork chop with sauce)
Calories 377
Calories from Fat 252
% Daily Value*
Fat 28g43%
Saturated Fat 11g55%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 12g
Cholesterol 120mg40%
Sodium 121mg5%
Potassium 528mg15%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Fiber 0.3g1%
Sugar 0.2g0%
Protein 29g58%
Vitamin A 365IU7%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 28mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclaimers: Please discuss your individual dietary needs (i.e. gluten free) with a physician. Even when not specified, be sure to verify all ingredients are gluten free, if needed, by reading labels on all packaging and/or confirming with the manufacturer this varies by brand and can change at any time. Nutrition information shown is an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.
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Very Tasty!
I have lemon zest but it turned out very good! I had 5 chops and it was more than enough sauce. I will add this to my rotation!
Asked my guests to rate this as it was a first for me. Result: A+ all around
Thank you
Soo good!
Oh my goodness! These were fantastic!!