How Long to Cook a Pork Chop

Introduction

When I was a kid, my dad would make pork chops in our tiny oven like it was no big deal. He’d just throw them on at 350 degrees, set the timer for forty minutes, and walk away while they cooked. As an adult, when I tried that same method he laughed at me and told me that’s why we had to order pizza every Friday night—because he didn’t know how to cook! But there’s nothing wrong with cooking pork chops this way! It’s easy and delicious, plus it gives you time to do something else while your meal cooks.

Cooking a pork chop is not difficult, but there are a few tricks to make sure that it’s perfectly cooked.

Cooking a pork chop is not difficult, but there are a few tricks to make sure that it’s perfectly cooked.

Pork chops are best cooked to medium (135F). Cooking them longer will cause them to become dry and tough; cooking them less will leave the meat undercooked and possibly even unsafe for consumption.

To ensure that your pork chop reaches its ideal temperature, use an instant-read thermometer or check for doneness with an internal checker knife inserted into the center of the thickest part of the meat–a little more than 1/2 inch deep–and remove it when you reach 130F (54C).

How Long to Cook a Pork Chop for Thinner Cutlets (1/2 inch thick or less)

If you’re cooking a pork chop that’s 1/2 inch thick or less, you can cook it for about 10 minutes per side. Be sure to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer, as this will ensure that your pork is cooked all the way through. You may need to adjust cooking times depending on how thick your pork chops are; if so, just keep an eye on them so they don’t burn!

Once they’re done cooking and have rested for 5 minutes or so (to let their juices redistribute), slice into thick pieces and serve immediately with some fresh veggies alongside some mashed potatoes.

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How Long to Cook a Pork Chop for Medium Thick Cutlets (1-inch thick)

  • Cook for 8-10 minutes per side.
  • The cooking time depends on the thickness of your cutlets, so keep an eye on them and remove from pan as soon as they reach your desired doneness. If you cook them too long, they’ll be dry and tough; if you don’t cook them enough, they might be pink inside instead of being fully cooked through (this can cause food poisoning).
  • Don’t flip too often! Flipping over every minute or two will result in an unevenly cooked piece of meat–and no one likes an undercooked pork chop!

How Long to Cook a Pork Chop for Thick Cutlets (1 1/2 inches or more)

The cooking time for a thick cutlet will vary depending on the thickness of your pork chop. The thicker it is, the longer it will take to cook through and become tender.

When you are cooking pork chops in an oven or on the stovetop, aim for an internal temperature of 145-150 degrees F when they’re done (unless otherwise stated). You should also check them periodically while they’re cooking to ensure they don’t get overcooked, which can happen quickly if you leave them unattended for too long.

You can cook pork chops just like steaks.

Pork chops are a great alternative to beef. They’re easy to cook and versatile, so you can easily find a way to make them your own.

Pork chops can be cooked in a variety of ways–you can pan-fry them, bake them in an oven or on the grill, or even boil them like chicken (which we’ll get into later). Cooking pork chops takes about the same amount of time as cooking steaks, usually between 10 and 20 minutes depending on how thick they are!

Conclusion

You can cook pork chops just like steaks. The thickness of the cut will determine how long it takes to cook, but the basic method is the same. You want to sear the meat first in a hot pan with some oil, then finish cooking it in an oven at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This will give you juicy and tender meat every time!

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