There's More Than One Oven Temperature For The Best Baked Pork Chops - The Daily Meal (2024)

© 2024 Static Media. All Rights Reserved

Kitchen Cooking

There's More Than One Oven Temperature For The Best Baked Pork Chops - The Daily Meal (4)

Tetiana Chernykova/Shutterstock

ByGreta Pano|

Baked pork chops are tender, juicy, and super easy to make. Simply season or marinate, toss them on a sheet pan, and stick them in the oven — no hot flames in your face or flipping required. Just remember this crucial but simple tip to ensure your chops bake beautifully: Set your oven to the correct temperature.

The best oven temperature for your pork chops largely depends on the size of the chops, whether they have breading, and if you prefer a crispy exterior. It's common to bake pork chops at either 350 or 400 degrees Fahrenheit, but you can choose a temperature in between or slightly above those temps as long as you adjust your cooking time.

If you have thick chops, baking them at a lower temperature, like 350, might take longer but will ensure your chops turn out tender and cook evenly inside and out. This is also the best oven temp for chops that you've pan-seared before baking since they already have a crispy, caramelized exterior.

Meanwhile, if making a tasty breaded pork chop, choose a higher oven temp, like 400, to get the bread crumbs nice and crispy. Cooking at a higher temperature will also create a more caramelized texture on unbreaded pork chops. As a bonus, you don't have to cook them as long — but keep an eye on the time to make sure you don't overcook your pork chops.

Adjust your cooking times accordingly

There's More Than One Oven Temperature For The Best Baked Pork Chops - The Daily Meal (5)

Elena Veselova/Shutterstock

A standard, 1¼-inch thick boneless pork chopcan be baked at 350 degrees for around 14 to 17 minutes. You'll find varying opinions on the appropriate length of time to bake your chops, but it's best to check the temperature of the pork at around 15 minutes rather than to let it go longer and risk overcooking it. As long as the temperature of the meat has reached 145 degrees, your chops are ready to be pulled from the oven, according to USDA guidelines.

Just as with oven temperature, cooking times for your pork chops vary depending on the thickness of the chops, whether they are seared beforehand, and whether you're making stuffed or crispy breaded pork chops. Thick pork chops and stuffed or breaded chops take around two to four minutes longer to cook. Searing your pork chops before baking not only creates a caramelized exterior but also reduces your cooking time by a couple of minutes.

Another factor to consider is whether they are bone-in or boneless.Bone-in pork chops generally take about three to five minutes longer to cook through than boneless chops. Boneless chops are popular for being lean and easy to eat but can also be easier to overcook, so make sure to monitor the meat's internal temperature as it cooks.

How to tell when your chops are done

There's More Than One Oven Temperature For The Best Baked Pork Chops - The Daily Meal (6)

Gmvozd/Getty Images

Using an instant-read meat thermometer is the easiest and most accurate way to tell if your pork chops are cooked thoroughly. Simply insert your thermometer into the middle of the chop at the thickest part while avoiding any bone or fat. If the chops are thin, you can insert the thermometer into the side of the meat until it reaches the middle or thickest part.

The USDA recommends cooking pork chops until they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees and allowing them to rest for three minutes before serving. The chops will continue to cook while resting and will also become more tender as the juices flow into the meat. The pork may have a slight pinkish hue at this temperature, but it's perfectly safe to eat and will be packed with juicy flavor. If you prefer your pork a little more well done, you can cook it a tad longer until it reaches a maximum of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Going past this temperature will likely result in overly dry meat.

If you don't have a meat thermometer, another method for confirming the doneness of your pork is to poke a hole in the center with a fork. If the juices that flow out of the hole are clear or a very faint pink, your chop is likely done cooking. If the juices look mostly pink or red, the meat will need to cook for longer.

Recommended

There's More Than One Oven Temperature For The Best Baked Pork Chops - The Daily Meal (2024)

FAQs

There's More Than One Oven Temperature For The Best Baked Pork Chops - The Daily Meal? ›

It's common to bake pork chops at either 350 or 400 degrees Fahrenheit, but you can choose a temperature in between or slightly above those temps as long as you adjust your cooking time.

What is the best temperature for baking pork chops? ›

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Sprinkle pork chops on all sides with thyme, salt, and pepper. Place on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a pork chop reads 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), about 20 minutes.

What is the best temperature to eat pork chops? ›

Cooking Temperature of Pork

Fresh cut muscle meats such as pork chops, pork roasts, pork loin, and tenderloin should measure 145° F, ensuring the maximum amount of flavor.

Should I bake pork chops at 325 or 350? ›

Baking pork chops at 350 degrees F will result in more gently cooked and tender pork chops, but it will take more time. This temperature is ideal for thicker chops (between 1 and 2 inches) as well as pan-seared chops, since the lower, slower baking ensures that the pork cooks all the way through.

What is the best way to cook pork chops without them drying out? ›

For juicy, flavorful pork chops, try brining the chops before grilling or broiling — two high-heat cooking methods that can quickly dry out lean pork chops. Brines are essentially salty, sugary water solutions; they'll keep the meat moist, while adding flavor.

Is it better to bake pork chops covered or uncovered? ›

Some baked pork chop recipes do require that the pan is covered with either foil or a lid. It creates steam and ensures that the meat is tender and juicy. Those recipes typically require a long cook time and may add vegetables to the pan, and some uncover the chops to finish browning them at a higher temperature.

Should you flip pork chops in the oven? ›

Flip the chops when the first side is browned, five to 10 minutes depending on the thickness of the chop. Continue cooking until the second side is browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into the center of the meat registers 130°F, another 5 to 10 minutes.

Do pork chops get more tender the longer you cook them? ›

Because pork chops are such a lean cut, they are relatively quick-cooking and prone to overcooking. When they're cooked for even a few minutes too long, whether it's in the oven or on the stovetop or grill, they're quick to dry out, and — you guessed it — become tough, chewy, and less than appealing.

What is the best method to cook pork chops? ›

You sear the chops in a cast iron pan that has been preheated over high heat, then lower the heat to medium and cook the pork, flipping often, for 8 to 10 minutes. But the final step is the best step: You take the pan off the heat, add some butter to the pan, and baste the finished pork chop for another 5 minutes.

How do you keep pork chops from drying out when you bake them? ›

How to Keep Pork Chops from Drying Out? Brine Them! After you bring your pork chops home, time to brine!

Is it better to cook pork chops slow or fast? ›

Slow Cook Pork Chops

To go low and slow with your pork chops, look to the slow cooker. This less common method of cooking pork can result in delicious, juicy meat!

How do you make pork soft and tender? ›

To tenderize pork before cooking it, try breaking up the tough muscle by hitting it with a meat mallet evenly across the surface of the meat. Then, if you want your pork to be extra tender, you can marinate it in a tenderizing marinade made with acids, like citrus juices, vinegar, or wine.

How long to cook pork chops in oven 375? ›

Preheat your oven to 375˚. Blot each pork chop on a paper towel, before placing on a baking sheet pan. Bake at 375˚ for 20-30 minutes, or until an internal temperature of 140˚- 160˚ is reached. Rest for a few minutes before serving.

Is it better to cook pork chops at a higher or lower temperature? ›

It's important for the pork to reach 145°F (63°C) to develop the proper texture with the muscle fibers and fat and to be safe to eat, but really no higher. Stay away from the higher temperature ranges that will leave the pork irreversibly tough and dry.

How to keep pork chops moist when cooking? ›

Fat is key to keeping pork chops moist

Basting them with fat, such as butter. Add in aromatics while basting for more flavor — similar to how you might cook a steak — and then you have the added bonus of browned butter and crispy garlic and/or herbs to serve with the meat.

Should I cover pork with foil when cooking? ›

Tenting can be suitable for some cuts of meat, but if you want a crunchy crust on your roast, then it's best to leave it uncovered. If you notice that the roasted pork is browning too much, you can lightly cover it with aluminum foil. However, do not cover it for the last 5-10 minutes in the oven.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tyson Zemlak

Last Updated:

Views: 6224

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tyson Zemlak

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Apt. 662 96191 Quigley Dam, Kubview, MA 42013

Phone: +441678032891

Job: Community-Services Orchestrator

Hobby: Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Metalworking, Fashion, Vehicle restoration, Shopping, Photography

Introduction: My name is Tyson Zemlak, I am a excited, light, sparkling, super, open, fair, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.