How to Pan Sear Pork Chops

Porkchops can be cooked in a variety of ways to suit all tastes. One of the easiest ways to cook pork chops is to pan sear them, a method taking only a few minutes. Here's how.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Oven-safe pan
• 1 Tbsp. oil

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and turn a burner on to medium high heat. Pan searing is a 2 step process that combines stove and oven cooking for a perfectly cooked pork chop that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
2. Heat a pan large enough for all the pork chops you are cooking on the stove and add 1 tablespoon of your favorite oil. Olive, grapeseed and other vegetable oils are healthy fats and good for your heart.
3. Lay pork chops in the pan and allow to sear for 2 minutes without moving them. It is important to let meat cook without fussing with it, otherwise it can cook unevenly and will not form the crust on the outside.
4. Flip pork chops over in the pan and allow to cook 1 minute. It does not take as much time on the second side because the heat has already been established in the meat. Keep in mind the pork chops will finish cooking in the oven, so take care not to over cook them.
5. Turn off the stove and place the entire pan in the oven to cook for 5 to 8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the pork chops. You want them cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.

Tips & Warnings

• If your pan handle is not oven safe, wrap foil around it and it will be ready to go in the oven.
• After you have pan seared the pork chops, there is an endless variety of sauces, reductions or salsas you can add to create the perfect dish, or simply serve the pan seared chops with a side dish or two.