Here’s a simple and flavorful Meat Chop recipe — juicy, tender, and perfect for a weeknight dinner. I’ll focus on pork or beef chops, but it works with veal or lamb too.
🥩 Pan-Seared Meat Chops
Ingredients (Serves 2–4)
- 2–4 pork, beef, or lamb chops (½–1 inch thick)
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika or smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ tsp dried thyme or rosemary (optional)
- Optional garnish: fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon
Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the Chops
- Pat chops dry with paper towels.
- Rub both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme/rosemary.
2️⃣ Cook
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chops and cook 4–5 minutes per side (depending on thickness) until nicely browned and cooked through:
- Pork: 145°F (63°C)
- Beef: 130–140°F for medium
- Lamb: 145°F (63°C)
3️⃣ Add Flavor
- In the last minute of cooking, add garlic to the pan and baste chops with butter/oil for extra flavor.
4️⃣ Rest & Serve
- Let chops rest 3–5 minutes to retain juices.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon.
- Serve with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or rice.
💡 Tips
- Pound thicker chops slightly to ensure even cooking.
- Use a cast-iron skillet for better searing.
- Marinate overnight in olive oil, garlic, herbs, and lemon for extra flavor.
- For a quick pan sauce, deglaze the pan with ¼ cup chicken or beef broth and a splash of balsamic vinegar.
If you want, I can also provide:
- 🥘 Breaded and fried meat chops (classic comfort food)
- 🍋 Garlic lemon butter pork chops
- 🌶️ Spicy Cajun-style chops
Do you want one of these variations?
