Cast Iron Pork Chops (Pan Fried) – a simple, easy recipe for cast iron pork chops with a delicious seasoning + marinade options!
Cast Iron Skillet Pork Chops
There are so many great ways to cook pork chops, but one of our favorites (especially in the winter) is in a cast iron skillet on the stovetop. Also known as pan frying pork chops. Follow our simple step-by-step instructions below and you will have the most flavorful and moist pork chops that your whole family will love! We have a flavorful pork chop seasoning you can use OR you can choose one of our 4 pork chop marinades!
Pork Chop Brine: want to amp up the juiciness even more – try our Pork Chop Brine!
What You Will Need
- Bone-in, 1-1/2 inch Pork Chops – we highly recommend bone-in, they just have SO much more flavor!
- Kosher salt & black pepper – a perfect, simple seasoning that’s a must when cooking any meat.
- Olive oil, ghee, or grass-fed butter – use the one that works for you and if the pan gets a little dry, just add some more!
- Fresh thyme – a little flavor that goes great with pork chops.
How Do You Keep Pork Chops Moist When Frying?
First, you will want to make sure you preheat your cast iron skillet so it is hot before adding the pork chops. Next, add some olive oil, ghee, or grass-fed butter to coat the pan. Once the butter has melted and the pan is hot you can add the pork chops. You will want to do a quick sear on all sides to get them golden brown on the outside and then turn down the heat to finish cooking the pork chops to ensure they are cooked all the way through. The quick sear and then lower heat will keep the inside moist. Also, make sure you keep an eye on the pan and add more olive oil or butter if the pan starts to dry out!
How Do You Know When Pork Chops are Done Frying?
The cast iron pork chops will be done frying once their internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. You can easily monitor this with a simple meat thermometer.
What Kind of Oil Do I Use to Fry Pork Chops?
This is really up to your personal preference! You can use olive oil, butter, ghee, or grass-fed butter. Totally up to you!
Should I Use A Pork Chop Seasoning or Marinade?
In the recipe below we kept it simple with some kosher salt & pepper plus a little fresh thyme, but if you are looking for some more flavor you could also use this Homemade Pork Chop Seasoning or this Delicious Pork Chop Marinade (there are 4 different ones you could try)!
Covered or Uncovered?
After you have seared the pork chops and you reduce the heat you could cover the pork chops if you want, but we have typically kept them uncovered so that we can more easily monitor if the pan needs more oil/butter and to make it easier to keep flipping the pork chops every 2 minutes.
What is Good to Eat with Fried Pork Chops?
There are so many delicious side dishes you could make with cast iron pork chops! We would love to hear what your favorites are! Here are some of ours:
How to Make Cast Iron Pork Chops (Pan Fried)
Pick out some bone-in pork chops that are about 1-1/2 inch thick.
Pat them dry with a paper towel.
Sprinkle pork chops with salt and pepper.
Option to use pork chop seasoning OR…
A pork chop marinade!
Sear the pork chops in a preheated cast iron skillet.
Reduce heat and continue cooking until the internal temp reaches 145 degrees F.
Enjoy!
Made this recipe and loved it?! We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!
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Other Recipes You Might Like
Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Pork Chop Marinades (4 kinds)
Smoked Pork Shoulder
Smoked Pork Chops
Cast Iron Pork Chops (pan fried)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner/Entree
- Method: Stove-Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
Cast Iron Pork Chops (Pan-Fried) – a simple, easy recipe for cast iron pork chops with a delicious seasoning + marinade options!
Ingredients
- (4) bone-in, 1-1/2 inch pork chops
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt *(see recipe card notes for marinade options)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon olive oil (or ghee or grassfed butter)
- 3–5 sprigs fresh thyme
Instructions
- Pat pork chops dry with clean paper towel.
- Season both sides with kosher salt and ground black pepper. Set aside.
- Bring a large cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add olive oil and swirl to coat the pan.
- Sear pork chops for 1 minute per side, lightly pressing them down.
- Sear the sides of the pork chops (using a par of tongs) to help render the fat there.
- Turn down the heat to medium and continue cooking the pork chops (flipping every 2 minutes or so) until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. Feel free to add a bit more oil if the pan gets dry.
- Remove from pan and let rest 5-10 minutes.
Notes
- Pork Chop Seasoning Option: instead of doing the classic kosher salt and pepper you can use this pork chop seasoning.
- Pork Chop Marinade Options: you can also use one of our 4 pork chop marinades before cooking as directed in the instructions above.
- Pork Chop Brine: feel free to use our pork chop brine before cooking to amp up the juiciness even more!
Barbara says
thank you, thank you, thank you for your pork chop seasoning mix. It was a real treat to have such fabulously delicious pork chops. I knew it would be good when I read the ingredients — but OH MY it was so good! I even wanted to lick the pan!
Erin says
So glad you enjoyed this one, Barbara!!
Andrea says
This recipe looks super easy and tasty! One question – when does one add the thyme springs? Once the heat is down in the pan or is it just for garnish? And should it be omitted if using one of the marinades?
Bridget says
Made these with one of the marinades and it was so easy! The flavor was amazing! Perfect for an easy weeknight meal.