FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook
- Why You’ll Love My Oven Baked Pork Chops Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Bake Pork Chops
- My Recipe Tips
- How Long To Bake Pork Chops?
- Storage Instructions
- Serving Suggestions
- More Easy Pork Chop Recipes
- My Tools For This Recipe
- Oven Baked Pork Chops (Juicy & Easy) Recipe card
- Recipe Reviews
One of my favorite things ever is showing you how to cook everything in the oven — from simple chicken legs for every day to lobster tail for special dinners to top sirloin steak for… well, both. So if you’ve been waiting for my tutorial on how to cook pork chops in the oven, it’s here! While this wasn’t always my favorite protein, this oven baked pork chops recipe totally turned it around for me. I guess I just needed to work out the combo that makes them actually juicy ? I’m hooked — and once you try them, I think you will be, too!
Why You’ll Love My Oven Baked Pork Chops Recipe
- Super juicy (never dry) – Say goodbye to dry, tough pork chops forever! Getting them just right means a balance of oven temperature, timing, and a few of my simple tips. And my pork chop marinade ? It turns them into tender, juicy bites that practically melt in your mouth.
- Full of flavor – These are a perfect blend of savory, tangy, umami, and a hint of sweet, all in one. It makes me so happy when so few ingredients can do it all!
- Simple ingredients – My flavorful marinade needs just 5 pantry staples (plus salt and pepper). Grab some pork chops and you’re good to go! And if you don’t have time to marinate, I’ve got a seasoning option for you as well.
- Quick and easy – These aren’t my slow cooker pork chops that take hours, or my stuffed pork chops or smothered pork chops that feel fancy. Nope, this is the simple recipe for baked pork chops that you reach for on busy weeknights when you have too many other things going on. You know you need one.
- Make them anytime – Forget about waiting for the perfect weather to grill pork chops . With my oven method, you can enjoy them for a protein-packed dinner any day of the year.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my oven baked pork chops recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .
Pork Chops
When I get them from the butcher, I usually pick up some pork belly , pork tenderloin , or pork loin at the same time.
Seasoning Or Marinade
While you can simply use salt and pepper (or just brine these like I do with baked chicken breasts ), the best baked pork chops I’ve made always have a marinade or seasoning mix! Here are my 2 options for this recipe:
- Marinade – You need only 5 ingredients to make my quick pork chop marinade : olive oil, coconut aminos (or soy sauce), lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic (or garlic powder) … plus salt and pepper. The oil locks in moisture, the lemon juice acts as a tenderizer, and the other ingredients add flavor. It comes together in a few minutes, so the only “hard” part is you need to leave time to marinate the pork.
- Seasoning – If you don’t have time for the marinade, you can make this baked pork chop recipe with my simple pork chop seasoning instead. I make it with garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, sea salt, and black pepper. Onion powder is also a nice addition. While I prefer the flavors of the marinade, this simple option is perfect when you’re short on time.
Butter Or Oil
I sear with just a bit of butter for extra flavor, but you can also use olive oil or avocado oil.
How To Bake Pork Chops
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .
- Pat dry. Use paper towels to pat the pork chops dry. (This will help them get a nice sear and also keeps them juicy when cooking.)
- Season or marinate. For the marinated option, whip up my 5-minute pork chop marinade here in a small bowl. Pour it into a zip lock bag, add the pork chops, and marinate in the fridge. For the seasoning option, just sprinkle my pork chop seasoning generously on both sides of the pork chops, and rub in.
- Sear. Preheat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Melt the butter (or heat the oil), then add pork chops in a single layer. Sear them without moving, until they are golden brown. Flip and sear the other side. (They might look done, but the inside won’t be until you bake them!)
- Bake. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake pork chops until they are cooked through. (Be careful here — see my tips and cook time chart below for juicy results!)
- Rest. Remove the pork from the oven, transfer to a plate, and tent the top with aluminum foil. Rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. I liked to garnish with fresh parsley for a little color.
My Recipe Tips
- Choose pork chops of a similar size and thickness. This ensures that they cook at the same rate. I always try to get 1-inch thick ones (they don’t dry out as easily), but have cook times below for thinner ones as well. You’re fine as long as they are all about the same!
- Marinate for as long as you can, but no more than 24 hours. The longer you marinate, the juicier your oven baked pork chops will be! But, after 24 hours they start to get mushy, so that’s my time limit.
- Bring the chops to room temperature before you cook them. I do this with almost every protein for more even cooking. Translation here: nice and juicy pork chops without dry spots!
- It’s worth it to sear before baking. Some people have asked me if you can just place the pork chops in the oven right away. You can , but searing first creates an irresistible golden crust on the outside! It only takes a few minutes, actually speeds up the total time, and doesn’t require an extra pan anyway, so I don’t recommend skipping this step. Still, if you want to simply cook them in a baking dish, add about 10-12 minutes to my cook times.
- Be careful not to overcook. Pork chops are very lean, so overcooking them is the worst — they get dry and tough fast. I use this meat thermometer to cook them perfectly, but since I’ve done it so many times, I also made a time chart for you (below).
- Resting is important. Cutting into your baked pork chops straight from the oven will cause all of the juices (that’s the flavor and moisture!) to run out. Just as I always rest my sirloin steak and filet mignon , the same is true for pork. It’s worth the wait!
How Long To Bake Pork Chops?
After a quick sear of 2-3 minutes per side, simply bake pork chops in the oven for 3-10 minutes. The baking time varies depending on their thickness, and whether they have bones — bone-in pork chops take 1-3 minutes longer than boneless. Use my time chart below and you’re golden!
| Type | Thickness | Minutes On The Stove | Minutes In The Oven (After Stovetop) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boneless pork chops | 1/2 inch | 2-3 minutes per side | 3-4 minutes |
| Boneless pork chops | 1 inch | 2-3 minutes per side | 6-8 minutes |
| Bone-in pork chops | 1/2 inch | 2-3 minutes per side | 5-6 minutes |
| Bone-in pork chops | 1 inch | 2-3 minutes per side | 8-10 minutes |
Since I’m very particular about juicy meat, I always use my probe thermometer to get these just right, but a regular instant read thermometer works, too.
Oven baked pork chops are done when the internal temperature at the thickest part reaches 145 degrees F. However, because the temperature rises as they rest, I always remove them at 140 degrees F. (It doesn’t matter if they are pink inside or not — this is not a good indicator for pork.)
Storage Instructions
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I usually repurpose them for sandwiches, serve over salads , or toss them in soups or casseroles .
- Meal prep: Portion into individual containers with your favorite side dish for quick lunches all week.
- Reheat: The easiest is to just reheat in a hot skillet or the oven, though you can microwave briefly, too. But when I want juicy pork that’s almost as good as fresh, I use my method for reheating reverse sear steak here (see the section about reheating).
- Freeze: You can freeze oven baked pork chops for up to 3 months in a zip lock bag, or freeze raw ones for up to 12 months. Just don’t freeze them in the marinade, because they get mushy.
Serving Suggestions
These easy baked pork chops just need a side or two for an amazing weeknight meal! Here are some of my go-to sides without the fuss:
- Vegetables – I like simplicity almost as much as I like veggies, so I usually do a combo of both and call it a day! You can roast asparagus , cauliflower , or brussels sprouts together with the pork chops in the oven — just start the veggies first, since they take longer. Or you can make my quick air fryer green beans (pictured above) or sauteed broccoli while the chops are baking.
- Salads – I usually go with light salads like Greek salad or arugula salad to balance the richness of the oven baked pork chops, but you can also make creamy ones, like my radish salad or wedge salad .
- Starches – My roasted potatoes or rice make good pairings, but I tend to sub them with lighter mashed cauliflower (pictured above) or cauliflower rice more often.
More Easy Pork Chop Recipes
If you’re craving more juicy, easy pork chop recipes, try these other ways I’ve actually come to love them:
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Smothered Pork Chops
Pan Seared Pork Chops
Stuffed Pork Chops
My Tools For This Recipe
- Cast Iron Skillet – There’s so much I love about my go-to cast iron pan. It’s durable, beautiful (even comes in different colors), heats evenly for a perfect sear, and goes from the stovetop to the oven. You can also use a cast iron grill pan if you like.
- Probe Thermometer – My favorite tool to get perfectly juicy baked pork chops. Pulling those babies out at just the right time is crucial!
Recipe Video
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
- 1 recipe Pork chop marinade (or 2 tablespoons pork chop seasoning ) ▢
- 4 8-oz Pork chops (boneless or bone-in) ▢
- 1 tbsp Unsalted butter ▢
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
- Use paper towels to pat the pork chops dry.
- Prepare the pork chop marinade here . Marinate the pork chops for at least 1 hour , up to 24 hours (but not longer). Alternatively, you can season with pork chop seasoning (link in ingredient section above), or simply season generously with salt and pepper and skip the marinade, but the marinade makes them so juicy!
- Remove the chops from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). At the same time, preheat a cast iron skillet (or a cast iron grill pan ) on the stovetop over medium-high heat, about 2-3 minutes .
- Once the oven is just a few minutes away from being preheated, add the butter and heat until melted, tilting the pan to coat. Add the pork chops in a single layer. Sear for 2-3 minutes , without moving, until browned on the bottom. Flip and sear for 1-2 minutes on the other side.
- Transfer the pan to the preheated oven. Bake pork chops until their internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), or 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) for juicier pork chops. (The internal temperature will rise another 5 degrees while resting later.) Use a probe thermometer for best results, but here is a guideline for pork chop baking times: * 1" thick boneless pork chops: 6-8 minutes * 1/2" thick boneless pork chops: 3-4 minutes * 1" thick bone-in pork chops: 8-10 minutes * 1/2" thick bone-in pork chops: 5-6 minutes
- Remove the pork chops from the oven and transfer to a plate. (Do not leave them in the pan or they will be overcooked.) Tent the top with foil and let the chops rest for 3-5 minutes .
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 pork chop
Only 1/4 of the marinade is included in the nutrition calculation, as a lot is discarded after marinating the pork chops.
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Keto Freezer Meal System and Fall Ebook Bundle !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
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© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Oven Baked Pork Chops
Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
- Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
- The Basic Keto Meal Formula
- Understanding Macros
- Keto Food Swaps
- Keto Food List
- Electrolyte Basics
- Keto Diet Types
- Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
- Recipe Reviews
Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.
You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).
Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:
- Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
- Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
- Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
- Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
- Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
- Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
- Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
- Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
- FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)
The Basic Keto Meal Formula
Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.
Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.
Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.
| Pick A Protein | Pick A Veggie | Add Fat |
|---|---|---|
| Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder Venison | Cauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama Celery | Butter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil |
Understanding Macros
Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.
Carbs Are A Limit.
Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.
A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.
“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.
A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.
Protein Is A Goal.
Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].
“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.
Fat Is A Lever.
Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.
A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).
Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.
Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.
“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.
Keto Food Swaps
One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.
So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .
Keto Swaps For Breakfast
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Pancakes | Almond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes |
| Oatmeal | Keto oatmeal with hemp seeds |
| Cinnamon rolls | Fathead cinnamon rolls |
| Cereal | Keto nut granola |
| Muffins | Almond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins |
| Donuts | Almond flour donuts |
| Scones | Almond flour scones |
| High-sugar smoothies | Smoothie with berries or avocado |
| Hash browns | Cauliflower hash browns |
| Breakfast casserole | Breakfast casserole with no potatoes |
| Egg whites | Whole eggs |
| Turkey bacon | Bacon |
| Waffles | Chaffles |
Keto Swaps For Bread
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Bagels | Fathead bagels |
| English muffin | Almond flour English muffin |
| White bread | Keto white bread |
| Multigrain bread | Coconut flour bread with seeds |
| Tortillas for wraps | Coconut flour tortillas |
| Corn taco shells | Cheddar cheese taco shells |
| Burger buns | Oopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps |
| Breadsticks | Cauliflower breadsticks |
| Biscuits | Almond flour biscuits |
| Cornbread | Almond flour cornbread |
| Croutons | Parmesan crisps |
| Rice | Cauliflower rice , konjac rice |
Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Breaded wings | Crispy air fryer wings (unbreaded) |
| Low-fat meat & poultry | High-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat |
| Mashed potatoes | Mashed cauliflower |
| Roasted potatoes | Roasted or fried radishes |
| Tacos | Taco salad |
| Pizza | Fathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza |
| Lasagna | Eggplant lasagna |
| Potato salad | Cauliflower “potato” salad |
| French fries | Jicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries |
| Tater tots | Cauliflower tots |
| Wraps | Lettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas |
| Sushi | Naruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi |
| Breaded chicken or fish | Breaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds |
| Spaghetti | Zoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles |
Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Nachos | Cheese crisps |
| High-sugar fruit | Berries & other keto fruits |
| Crackers | Almond flour crackers |
| Hummus | Cauliflower hummus |
| Soft pretzels | Fathead pretzels |
| Popcorn | Puffed cheese |
| Granola bars | Grain-free granola bars |
| Jam | Sugar-free berry chia jam |
| Sweet fruity yogurt | Full-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries |
| Sweet salad dressing | Ranch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette |
| Ketchup | Mustard and/or sugar-free ketchup |
| BBQ sauce | Sugar-free BBQ sauce |
| Sweetened peanut butter | Natural, sugar-free nut butters |
| Light mayo | Avocado oil mayo |
| Maple syrup | Sugar-free, maple flavored syrup |
| Potato chips | Zucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds |
Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Sugar | Monk fruit or allulose |
| Powdered sugar | Powdered monk fruit or allulose |
| White flour | Almond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes) |
| Making baked goods soft/chewy | Xanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder |
| Breadcrumbs | Pork rinds or almond flour |
| Margarine | Butter, coconut oil, or ghee |
| Vegetable oil | Olive or avocado oil |
| Bananas | Banana extract |
| Chocolate chips | Sugar-free chocolate chips |
| Cornstarch or flour roux | Xanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end) |
| Simple syrup | Dissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat |
Keto Swaps For Drinks
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Lemonade | Water with lemon |
| Soda | Flavored sparkling water |
| Milk | Almond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream |
| Latte | Butter coffee |
| Coffee creamer | Heavy cream |
| Sweet wine | Dry wine |
| Beer | Ultra light beer |
| Mixed drinks | Hard liquor with soda + lemon |
If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .
Keto Food List
When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.
The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!
Foods To Eat On Keto
- Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
- Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
- Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
- Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
- Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
- Avocados
- Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
- Almond flour and coconut flour
- Eggs
- Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.
Foods To Avoid On Keto
- White flour & sugar
- Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
- Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
- Cereal
- Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
- Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
- Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
- Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
- Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
- Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.
That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:
Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)
Electrolyte Basics
Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.
For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .
The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.
Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:
| Sodium | Magnesium | Potassium |
|---|---|---|
| Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts Pickles | Seaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greens | Potassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork |
Keto Diet Types
People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.
Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.
Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!
- Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
- Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
- Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
- Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.
For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!
Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:
- Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
- Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
- Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
- Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
- Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
- Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
- Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
- Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
- FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)
Oven Baked Pork Chops (Juicy & Easy)
This oven baked pork chops recipe is super juicy, flavorful and so easy! Make this simple weeknight dinner with either seasoning or marinade.
Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/baked-pork-chops/
Ingredients
- 1 recipe Pork chop marinade (or 2 tablespoons pork chop seasoning )
- 4 8-oz Pork chops (boneless or bone-in)
- 1 tbsp Unsalted butter
Instructions
- Use paper towels to pat the pork chops dry.
- Prepare the pork chop marinade here . Marinate the pork chops for at least 1 hour , up to 24 hours (but not longer). Alternatively, you can season with pork chop seasoning (link in ingredient section above), or simply season generously with salt and pepper and skip the marinade, but the marinade makes them so juicy!
- Remove the chops from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). At the same time, preheat a cast iron skillet (or a cast iron grill pan ) on the stovetop over medium-high heat, about 2-3 minutes .
- Once the oven is just a few minutes away from being preheated, add the butter and heat until melted, tilting the pan to coat. Add the pork chops in a single layer. Sear for 2-3 minutes , without moving, until browned on the bottom. Flip and sear for 1-2 minutes on the other side.
- Transfer the pan to the preheated oven. Bake pork chops until their internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), or 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) for juicier pork chops. (The internal temperature will rise another 5 degrees while resting later.) Use a probe thermometer for best results, but here is a guideline for pork chop baking times: * 1" thick boneless pork chops: 6-8 minutes * 1/2" thick boneless pork chops: 3-4 minutes * 1" thick bone-in pork chops: 8-10 minutes * 1/2" thick bone-in pork chops: 5-6 minutes
- Remove the pork chops from the oven and transfer to a plate. (Do not leave them in the pan or they will be overcooked.) Tent the top with foil and let the chops rest for 3-5 minutes .
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 pork chop
Only 1/4 of the marinade is included in the nutrition calculation, as a lot is discarded after marinating the pork chops.
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Keto Freezer Meal System and Fall Ebook Bundle !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)
FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook
- Why You’ll Love My Oven Baked Pork Chops Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Bake Pork Chops
- My Recipe Tips
- How Long To Bake Pork Chops?
- Storage Instructions
- Serving Suggestions
- More Easy Pork Chop Recipes
- My Tools For This Recipe
- Oven Baked Pork Chops (Juicy & Easy) Recipe card
- Recipe Reviews
One of my favorite things ever is showing you how to cook everything in the oven — from simple chicken legs for every day to lobster tail for special dinners to top sirloin steak for… well, both. So if you’ve been waiting for my tutorial on how to cook pork chops in the oven, it’s here! While this wasn’t always my favorite protein, this oven baked pork chops recipe totally turned it around for me. I guess I just needed to work out the combo that makes them actually juicy ? I’m hooked — and once you try them, I think you will be, too!
Why You’ll Love My Oven Baked Pork Chops Recipe
- Super juicy (never dry) – Say goodbye to dry, tough pork chops forever! Getting them just right means a balance of oven temperature, timing, and a few of my simple tips. And my pork chop marinade ? It turns them into tender, juicy bites that practically melt in your mouth.
- Full of flavor – These are a perfect blend of savory, tangy, umami, and a hint of sweet, all in one. It makes me so happy when so few ingredients can do it all!
- Simple ingredients – My flavorful marinade needs just 5 pantry staples (plus salt and pepper). Grab some pork chops and you’re good to go! And if you don’t have time to marinate, I’ve got a seasoning option for you as well.
- Quick and easy – These aren’t my slow cooker pork chops that take hours, or my stuffed pork chops or smothered pork chops that feel fancy. Nope, this is the simple recipe for baked pork chops that you reach for on busy weeknights when you have too many other things going on. You know you need one.
- Make them anytime – Forget about waiting for the perfect weather to grill pork chops . With my oven method, you can enjoy them for a protein-packed dinner any day of the year.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my oven baked pork chops recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .
Pork Chops
When I get them from the butcher, I usually pick up some pork belly , pork tenderloin , or pork loin at the same time.
Seasoning Or Marinade
While you can simply use salt and pepper (or just brine these like I do with baked chicken breasts ), the best baked pork chops I’ve made always have a marinade or seasoning mix! Here are my 2 options for this recipe:
- Marinade – You need only 5 ingredients to make my quick pork chop marinade : olive oil, coconut aminos (or soy sauce), lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic (or garlic powder) … plus salt and pepper. The oil locks in moisture, the lemon juice acts as a tenderizer, and the other ingredients add flavor. It comes together in a few minutes, so the only “hard” part is you need to leave time to marinate the pork.
- Seasoning – If you don’t have time for the marinade, you can make this baked pork chop recipe with my simple pork chop seasoning instead. I make it with garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, sea salt, and black pepper. Onion powder is also a nice addition. While I prefer the flavors of the marinade, this simple option is perfect when you’re short on time.
Butter Or Oil
I sear with just a bit of butter for extra flavor, but you can also use olive oil or avocado oil.
How To Bake Pork Chops
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .
- Pat dry. Use paper towels to pat the pork chops dry. (This will help them get a nice sear and also keeps them juicy when cooking.)
- Season or marinate. For the marinated option, whip up my 5-minute pork chop marinade here in a small bowl. Pour it into a zip lock bag, add the pork chops, and marinate in the fridge. For the seasoning option, just sprinkle my pork chop seasoning generously on both sides of the pork chops, and rub in.
- Sear. Preheat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Melt the butter (or heat the oil), then add pork chops in a single layer. Sear them without moving, until they are golden brown. Flip and sear the other side. (They might look done, but the inside won’t be until you bake them!)
- Bake. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake pork chops until they are cooked through. (Be careful here — see my tips and cook time chart below for juicy results!)
- Rest. Remove the pork from the oven, transfer to a plate, and tent the top with aluminum foil. Rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. I liked to garnish with fresh parsley for a little color.
My Recipe Tips
- Choose pork chops of a similar size and thickness. This ensures that they cook at the same rate. I always try to get 1-inch thick ones (they don’t dry out as easily), but have cook times below for thinner ones as well. You’re fine as long as they are all about the same!
- Marinate for as long as you can, but no more than 24 hours. The longer you marinate, the juicier your oven baked pork chops will be! But, after 24 hours they start to get mushy, so that’s my time limit.
- Bring the chops to room temperature before you cook them. I do this with almost every protein for more even cooking. Translation here: nice and juicy pork chops without dry spots!
- It’s worth it to sear before baking. Some people have asked me if you can just place the pork chops in the oven right away. You can , but searing first creates an irresistible golden crust on the outside! It only takes a few minutes, actually speeds up the total time, and doesn’t require an extra pan anyway, so I don’t recommend skipping this step. Still, if you want to simply cook them in a baking dish, add about 10-12 minutes to my cook times.
- Be careful not to overcook. Pork chops are very lean, so overcooking them is the worst — they get dry and tough fast. I use this meat thermometer to cook them perfectly, but since I’ve done it so many times, I also made a time chart for you (below).
- Resting is important. Cutting into your baked pork chops straight from the oven will cause all of the juices (that’s the flavor and moisture!) to run out. Just as I always rest my sirloin steak and filet mignon , the same is true for pork. It’s worth the wait!
How Long To Bake Pork Chops?
After a quick sear of 2-3 minutes per side, simply bake pork chops in the oven for 3-10 minutes. The baking time varies depending on their thickness, and whether they have bones — bone-in pork chops take 1-3 minutes longer than boneless. Use my time chart below and you’re golden!
| Type | Thickness | Minutes On The Stove | Minutes In The Oven (After Stovetop) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boneless pork chops | 1/2 inch | 2-3 minutes per side | 3-4 minutes |
| Boneless pork chops | 1 inch | 2-3 minutes per side | 6-8 minutes |
| Bone-in pork chops | 1/2 inch | 2-3 minutes per side | 5-6 minutes |
| Bone-in pork chops | 1 inch | 2-3 minutes per side | 8-10 minutes |
Since I’m very particular about juicy meat, I always use my probe thermometer to get these just right, but a regular instant read thermometer works, too.
Oven baked pork chops are done when the internal temperature at the thickest part reaches 145 degrees F. However, because the temperature rises as they rest, I always remove them at 140 degrees F. (It doesn’t matter if they are pink inside or not — this is not a good indicator for pork.)
Storage Instructions
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I usually repurpose them for sandwiches, serve over salads , or toss them in soups or casseroles .
- Meal prep: Portion into individual containers with your favorite side dish for quick lunches all week.
- Reheat: The easiest is to just reheat in a hot skillet or the oven, though you can microwave briefly, too. But when I want juicy pork that’s almost as good as fresh, I use my method for reheating reverse sear steak here (see the section about reheating).
- Freeze: You can freeze oven baked pork chops for up to 3 months in a zip lock bag, or freeze raw ones for up to 12 months. Just don’t freeze them in the marinade, because they get mushy.
Serving Suggestions
These easy baked pork chops just need a side or two for an amazing weeknight meal! Here are some of my go-to sides without the fuss:
- Vegetables – I like simplicity almost as much as I like veggies, so I usually do a combo of both and call it a day! You can roast asparagus , cauliflower , or brussels sprouts together with the pork chops in the oven — just start the veggies first, since they take longer. Or you can make my quick air fryer green beans (pictured above) or sauteed broccoli while the chops are baking.
- Salads – I usually go with light salads like Greek salad or arugula salad to balance the richness of the oven baked pork chops, but you can also make creamy ones, like my radish salad or wedge salad .
- Starches – My roasted potatoes or rice make good pairings, but I tend to sub them with lighter mashed cauliflower (pictured above) or cauliflower rice more often.
More Easy Pork Chop Recipes
If you’re craving more juicy, easy pork chop recipes, try these other ways I’ve actually come to love them:
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Smothered Pork Chops
Pan Seared Pork Chops
Stuffed Pork Chops
My Tools For This Recipe
- Cast Iron Skillet – There’s so much I love about my go-to cast iron pan. It’s durable, beautiful (even comes in different colors), heats evenly for a perfect sear, and goes from the stovetop to the oven. You can also use a cast iron grill pan if you like.
- Probe Thermometer – My favorite tool to get perfectly juicy baked pork chops. Pulling those babies out at just the right time is crucial!
Recipe Video
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
- 1 recipe Pork chop marinade (or 2 tablespoons pork chop seasoning ) ▢
- 4 8-oz Pork chops (boneless or bone-in) ▢
- 1 tbsp Unsalted butter ▢
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
- Use paper towels to pat the pork chops dry.
- Prepare the pork chop marinade here . Marinate the pork chops for at least 1 hour , up to 24 hours (but not longer). Alternatively, you can season with pork chop seasoning (link in ingredient section above), or simply season generously with salt and pepper and skip the marinade, but the marinade makes them so juicy!
- Remove the chops from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). At the same time, preheat a cast iron skillet (or a cast iron grill pan ) on the stovetop over medium-high heat, about 2-3 minutes .
- Once the oven is just a few minutes away from being preheated, add the butter and heat until melted, tilting the pan to coat. Add the pork chops in a single layer. Sear for 2-3 minutes , without moving, until browned on the bottom. Flip and sear for 1-2 minutes on the other side.
- Transfer the pan to the preheated oven. Bake pork chops until their internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), or 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) for juicier pork chops. (The internal temperature will rise another 5 degrees while resting later.) Use a probe thermometer for best results, but here is a guideline for pork chop baking times: * 1" thick boneless pork chops: 6-8 minutes * 1/2" thick boneless pork chops: 3-4 minutes * 1" thick bone-in pork chops: 8-10 minutes * 1/2" thick bone-in pork chops: 5-6 minutes
- Remove the pork chops from the oven and transfer to a plate. (Do not leave them in the pan or they will be overcooked.) Tent the top with foil and let the chops rest for 3-5 minutes .
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 pork chop
Only 1/4 of the marinade is included in the nutrition calculation, as a lot is discarded after marinating the pork chops.
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Keto Freezer Meal System and Fall Ebook Bundle !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
Add Your NotesYour Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Oven Baked Pork Chops
