Name: Garlic Butter Pork Chops
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Dinner
Ingredients: Pork chops; 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 stick of butter; 4 tbsp minced garlic; 3 tsp onion powder; 2 tsp garlic powder; salt and pepper to taste; 1/3 cup olive oil; 1/3 cup lemon juice (from 2-3 lemons); 1.5 tablespoons soy sauce; 3 tbsp minced garlic; 4 tbsp milk; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper

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Learn how to make delicious garlic butter pork chops on the stovetop. This pork chop recipe is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, and can be marinated or made quickly in under 20 minutes.

Garlic Butter Pork Chops Recipe | Modern Homestead Mama

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Pork chops are one of my favorite things to cook, and my kids gobble it up every time, no matter how I season it!

They like it more than chicken, actually. My toddler loves to walk around the house holding a single pork chop, taking little nibbles. It’s adorable!

I love baked pork chops, but today I’m sharing my garlic butter pork chop recipe that is made on the stove.

Pan-seared pork chops may be a little messier than cooking them in the oven, but they’re still really easy and don’t take very long.

When I’m in a pinch, I simply throw the ingredients together all at once, but when I have time for a marinade, it’s definitely preferred. Not only does the flavor infuse into the meat, more, you can add ingredients that tenderize tougher cuts of pork.

My creamy lemon garlic pork chop marinade makes for a zesty version of this dish.

1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup lemon juice (from 2-3 lemons)
1.5 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tbsp minced garlic
4 tbsp milk
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Double the recipe and freeze the pork chops in the marinade for an easy, flavorful dinner later in the month.

Why marinate pork chops in milk?

Milk is more effective at tenderizing meat than other marinades. The enzymes in the milk break down the proteins in the meat, which softens the fibers and makes the meat super tender.

The result is melt-in-your-mouth pork chops that are super delicious!

Garlic Butter Pork Chops cooking in a cast iron skillet on the stove

FAQs about tenderizing pork chops

Lemons are highly acidic, making them wonderful meat tenderizers. Marinating your pork chops in lemon juice an hour before cooking draws moisture out of the meat and improves the meat’s texture drastically.

Milk is more effective at tenderizing meat than other marinades. The enzymes in the milk break down the proteins in the meat, which softens the fibers and makes the meat super tender.

Just like milk and lemon juice, vinegar tenderizes the meat, and results in super flavorful and tender pork chops. It’s also acidic, like the lemon juice.

How to Make Garlic Butter Pork Chops

Just a few ingredients

Pork chops
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 stick of butter
4 tbsp minced garlic
3 tsp onion powder
2 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
Optional: marinate pork chops in milk, vinegar, or fresh lemon juice an hour before cooking. Alternatively, my favorite marinade is listed above.

Step 1: Season the pork

If you marinated your pork chops, don’t worry about this step. This is for those who are cooking straight from the package and didn’t have time to marinate their pork.

Coat in the seasonings and set aside.

Step 2: Heat oil and butter in a pan

Heat your oil and butter over medium heat and add meat once it’s bubbling like in the picture below.

Add the minced garlic with each new batch of pork chops, as it burns easily.

Step 3: Cook the pork chops

Cook the pork chops in the oil and butter, basting the top if they’re thicker cuts that aren’t covered.

Cooking pork chops in butter and oil on the stove

Step 4: Flip the pork chops

Flip the pork chops once the bottom looks like the picture below, or to your desired level of crispy-ness.

Flipping pan-seared garlic butter pork chops

Step 5: Continue cooking for another few minutes

The time it takes to cook all the way through varies depending on the cut of pork chops, and whether they’re boneless or bone-in. The internal temperature of pork needs to be 145ºF, and the outside should be crispy and buttery.

Serve with sides of your choice, and you now have an easy and delicious dinner for your family.

If you want to utilize the remaining oil and garlic butter in the pan, cook your veggies in afterwards or thicken it up and make a creamy sauce using a cornstarch slurry, chicken stock, seasonings, and cream or milk.

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What’s your favorite pork chop marinade? Let me know in the comments below!