This easy and delicious recipe of 4-ingredient oven-baked pork chops is a quick recipe that won’t require much time and effort from your side. With just 4 simple ingredients, you can have a mouthwatering meal on the table in no time. This recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves delicious and easy-to-make meals.
You will enjoy making this recipe as you will need only a few simple ingredients that you can easily find. If you don’t have them in your kitchen, I will give you a few substitutes that you can replace with, which will get you the same great results.
Also, you will like this recipe because it is versatile. As we are using only four ingredients to make it, you can easily add a few of your own spices to make it more to your liking.
You will need to cover the pork chops on all sides with lemon pepper or other spices you decide to use, then put the butter and garlic slices over the pork chops and bake until perfection.
That’s it! It will cook on its own.
Quick Note: As the cooking time may differ from one cut of the meat to another one, for the best result, consider checking the inner temperature of the meat using a meat thermometer.
You can serve it with a side of vegetables, a salad, or mashed potatoes for a complete and satisfying meal.
Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting a dinner party, this recipe is sure to impress.
You’ll be amazed at how simple it is to prepare, yet how delicious the result tastes.
Let’s dive into more details!
🥰 Why You Will Love This Recipe?
- It is an easy recipe that is quick to make and will require minimum effort and attention from you. Anyone can make it, even if they don’t have much cooking experience.
- The preparation time for this recipe is short, making it a perfect option for those busy weeknights when you don’t have much time to cook.
- The combination of garlic, lemon pepper, and butter gives these pork chops a mouthwatering flavor that everyone will love. The result is juicy and flavorful pork chops with a subtle kick.
- You can pair these pork chops with almost any side dish, such as roasted vegetables, a salad, or mashed potatoes.
- It is a budget-friendly recipe. Pork chops are an affordable cut of meat, and this recipe only requires a few additional ingredients that are likely already in your pantry, making it a cost-effective option that won’t break the bank.
🥘 Ingredients and Substitutes
- Pork Chops. I used pork chops, but you can substitute them with another type of meat you prefer. But keep in mind that if you use fattier meat, I recommend you reduce the amount of butter.
- Fresh Garlic. If you don’t like the pronounced taste of garlic, you could replace it with granulated dried garlic or omit it altogether.
- Lemon Pepper. You can replace the lemon pepper with any other mix of spices that you prefer in combination with the pork or other meat. Or you can go for a simple route and to season the pork chops only with a mix of salt and pepper.
- Butter.
👩🍳 Step-by-step Directions
Pro Tip: I recommend you to use a casserole with a lid, so the meat will brown evenly on both sides because the lid, being made of the same material as the casserole, will reflect the same amount of heat, and the meat will cook more evenly.
Take a baking tray and put a few slices of butter at the bottom of the casserole.
This way, you will avoid catching the meat during baking. And you will ensure the meat is buttered on all sides, making it juicier.
Massage the meat well on both sides with the spices, and then put the pork chops over the pieces of butter in the casserole.
Cut the garlic in halves and put the garlic slices on top of the meat. After that, put the rest of the butter over the pork chops near the garlic halves.
If the casserole has a lid, then use it. If not, cover the casserole with aluminum foil to allow the meat to cook more evenly.
Preheat the oven and bake the pork chops for about 35-40 minutes at 340°F (170°C)
Quick Note: The cooking time depends on the thickness of the meat, the type of meat, and the casserole you’re using.
Pro Tip: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork chops in the thickest part of it. The pork is considered ready when it reaches 145ºF (63°C).
Don’t serve the pork chops right from the oven. Let the meat rest for about 10 minutes.
Thus, the juice inside the meat will be more evenly distributed, and the pork chops will be juicier. Serve near your favorite dipping sauce, vegetables, or near a salad.
🏆 Expert Tips. What to Pay Attention To?
- Keep an eye on the pork chops to not overcook them. Otherwise, the pork chops will be dry and tough, and the garlic and lemon pepper seasoning may burn.
- Let the Pork Chops Rest. After taking the pork chops out of the oven, let them rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and juicy pork chop.
- I recommend using fresh garlic as it will add more flavor.
- Make it your own. The recipe calls for lemon pepper, but you can also use other seasonings such as paprika, Italian seasoning, or chili powder. Adjust the amount of seasoning to your taste.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Pair the pork chops with a side of roasted vegetables. Such as carrot fries, broccoli, or wedge potatoes, to make it a complete and nutritious meal.
A crisp green salad with a vinaigrette dressing is a refreshing complement to the savory pork chops.
Another great option for these pork chops is to serve them near a plate with mashed potatoes, a classic side dish for pork chops.
And, of course, you can serve the pork chops near some homemade garlic bread. The bread will help soak up any juices or sauce from the pork chops and add a delightful crunch to your meal.
😻 Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- 4 Ingredient Pork Chops With Garlic And Rosemary
- 4 Ingredient Pork Ribs With Sweet And Spicy Sauce
- Salt And Pepper Belly Pork
- Crispy Stuffed Pork Chops In Air Fryer
- Easy And Juicy Air Fryer Pork Loin
♻️ Make Ahead, Storage, and Heating:
Can I Prepare It Ahead of Time?
You can marinate the pork chops the night before serving and bake them the next day when you need them to serve.
How Long Does It Last in the Fridge?
For the best results, consider keeping the oven-baked pork chops in the fridge for no more than 2-3 days.
Can You Freeze Oven-Baked Pork Chops?
You can freeze it for about 3 months, but if you want better results, it is recommended to marinate the meat and freeze it uncooked. By doing that, you will get a better taste and texture after you will defrost and cook. When you need to serve the frozen pork chops, take them out of the freezer, leave a night to defrost in the fridge, and bake them following the instructions from the recipe above.
How to Reheat the Pork Chops?
The easiest way is to reheat them in the pre-heated oven or if you’re limited on time, just use your microwave oven.
How Can I Ensure My Pork Chops Are Perfectly Cooked?
To ensure optimal cooking, use a meat thermometer. Pork chops are ready when their internal temperature reaches 145°F (around 63°C). Cooking times may vary depending on the meat’s thickness and your oven, so monitoring the temperature is crucial.
Why Is It Important to Let the Pork Chops Rest Before Serving?
Allowing the pork chops to rest for approximately 10 minutes after baking is crucial. This resting period allows the juices to evenly redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in juicier and more tender pork chops.
📋 Recipe Card:
4 Ingredient Oven Baked Pork Chops
Equipment
Ingredients
- 25 oz Pork Chops
- 4 Cloves Garlic
- 2 teaspoon Lemon Pepper
- 1.5 oz Butter
Instructions
- Take a casserole with a lid that is oven safe and put a few slices of butter on the bottom of the pan.1.5 oz Butter
- Massage the meat with spices on all sides and put the pork chops in the casserole over the butter slices.2 teaspoon Lemon Pepper
- Cut the garlic into halves and put it over the pork chops along with the rest of the butter.4 Cloves Garlic, 25 oz Pork Chops
- Cover the casserole with a lid or foil and bake for 40 minutes at 340°F (170°C).
Quick Note
I highly recommend reading the entire recipe to find more tips and notes about this recipe. Read Full Recipe ⇑
Notes
- As the cooking time may differ, use a meat thermometer and check the temperature of the pork chops in the thickest part. The pork chops are considered done when it reaches 145ºF (63°C).
- Let the pork chops rest for about 10 minutes before serving. By doing that, the inner juices of the meat will be distributed more evenly, and you will get juicier meat.
- While this recipe uses pork chops, you can also experiment with other cuts of meat, such as chicken breasts or boneless thighs. Adjust the cooking time accordingly based on the thickness of the meat.
- If you’re not a fan of strong garlic flavor, you can substitute fresh garlic with granulated dried garlic or omit it altogether for a milder taste.
- After baking, allow the pork chops to rest for approximately 10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in juicier and more tender chops.
- Feel free to customize this recipe by adding your favorite herbs, spices, or marinades to infuse different flavors into the pork chops. Get creative and make it your own!
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