Perfect Pork Chops

Pork chops sometimes get a bad rap, usually for being dry, bland, or overcooked. Starting with high quality meat makes all the difference. Our pork is naturally tender, full of flavor, and raised ethically on pasture, which means these chops don’t need much beyond simple seasoning and good technique to really shine. This method is our go to because it doesn’t require anything fancy (other than a trusty cast iron skillet) and it delivers juicy, flavorful chops every time.

Steps to prepare pork chops:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

2. Pat pork chops dry with a paper towel.

3. Season generously with coarse salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and dried thyme.

4. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan.

5. Sear the pork chops for 2-4 minutes on each side (until they appear golden brown).

6. Arrange the pork chops in the skillet in a single layer, then transfer to the oven.

7. Bake the pork chops until their internal temperature reaches at least 140°F (this could take from 6-10 minutes depending on the thickness of the chops and whether they are boneless or bone-in).

8. Transfer the pork chops to a plate and allow them to rest for 5 minutes, covered by a sheet of aluminum foil.

That’s it: no marinades, no complicated sauces, no overthinking. Just well seasoned, pasture raised pork, a hot pan, and a quick finish in the oven. When the meat is this good to begin with, less really is more. Serve these with whatever vegetables are in season and let great ingredients speak for themselves!