These easy oven baked BBQ pork chops are seasoned with a homemade dry rub, pan seared for extra flavor, and then finished in the oven with tangy barbecue sauce. Best of all, the tender and juicy pork chops are ready from start to finish in about 30 minutes!
If you love a good pork chop dinner, you’ll also want to try my pan fried pork chops or these hands-off slow cooker pork chops. And for even more ideas, check out my collection of Easy Pork Chop Recipes.
Table of Contents
Before You Get Started
A few quick tips to make sure your pork chops turn out perfectly juicy and flavorful:
- Don’t skip the sear. Browning the chops on the stovetop before baking adds color, flavor, and helps seal in the juices. If you skip this step, you’ll need to add 5-8 minutes to your total baking time.
- Use thick-cut pork chops for best results. Thick chops (about ¾-inch – 1-inch) are more forgiving and stay juicier in the oven. Thinner chops or bone-in chops work too, but you’ll need to adjust the baking time (see the chart below).
- Let the pork chops come to room temperature. About 30 minutes on the counter before cooking helps them cook more evenly and stay tender.
How to Bake BBQ Pork Chops
Yes, grilled BBQ pork chops are a delicious summer treat, but sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate, you don’t have a grill handy, or you just need a quick option that you can toss in the oven and forget about for a little while. These oven baked BBQ pork chops deliver all that smoky, tangy flavor without stepping outside.
Step 1: Season the Pork Chops
Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel. This helps the seasoning stick and gives you a better sear.
In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder. This simple homemade BBQ rub adds a layer of sweet, smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the barbecue sauce.
BBQ Rub Adjustments: Feel free to customize the rub to your taste. Add a pinch of cayenne for heat, swap in regular paprika if you don’t have smoked, or use a store-bought BBQ seasoning blend if you’re short on time.
Rub the seasoning on both sides of the pork chops, then season generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
Step 2: Brown the Pork Chops
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the pork chops and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 3-5 minutes per side.
Cast Iron Skillet: If you have an oven-safe skillet (like a cast iron), you can brown the chops and bake them in the same pan. Fewer dishes to wash!
Step 3: Baste with Barbecue Sauce
Transfer the seared pork chops to a parchment-lined baking sheet (or keep them in your oven-safe skillet). Use a brush or spoon to generously baste the tops and sides with about half of the barbecue sauce.
We like Stubb’s Original BBQ Sauce, but any store-bought or homemade sauce works great. Choose your favorite!
Step 4: Bake Until Juicy and Tender
Bake the pork chops uncovered in a preheated 350°F oven for about 9-14 minutes. About halfway through, baste with the remaining sauce and check the internal temperature.
You’re looking for an internal temperature of 145°F. The meat may still look slightly pink in the center, and that’s perfectly safe and keeps the chops nice and juicy.
** TIP: For a more caramelized, slightly charred exterior, transfer the pork chops to the broiler for the final 2-3 minutes. Keep an eye on them so the sauce doesn’t burn.Let the pork chops rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, giving you a more tender bite.
How Long to Bake BBQ Pork Chops at 350°F
The total cooking time depends on the size and thickness of your pork chops, as well as whether they were at room temperature when you started. A meat thermometer is always your best friend here.
Here’s a quick guide for seared pork chops baked at 350°F:
- Boneless Thick Pork Chops: 9-14 minutes
- Boneless Thin Pork Chops: 5-8 minutes
- Bone-in Thick Pork Chops: 11-16 minutes
- Bone-in Thin Pork Chops: 7-11 minutes
If you skip the stovetop sear and bake the chops from raw, add about 5-8 minutes to these times.
Baking at a different temperature? At 375°F, reduce the baking time by 2-3 minutes. At 400°F, reduce by about 4-5 minutes. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness (145°F).
What to Serve with BBQ Pork Chops
These baked BBQ pork chops pair well with just about any classic Southern side. Here are some favorites:
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftover barbecue pork chops in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Wrapped tightly, the baked pork chops will last in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Place the pork chops in a baking dish and cover with foil. Warm in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, or just until heated through. Be careful not to overcook, or they’ll become tough and dry.
The pork chops definitely stayed moist with this recipe, and it’s very flavorful.
Will definitely make again!
– Renee
Recipe Variations
- For more char: Broil the pork chops for 2-3 minutes at the end to caramelize the sauce.
- Make it spicy: Add ¼ teaspoon cayenne to the dry rub.
- Use a store-bought rub: Short on pantry staples? A pre-made BBQ seasoning blend works just fine.
- Try homemade sauce: Swap in your favorite homemade BBQ sauce for a more personalized flavor. We love this apple butter bbq sauce.
- Cooking for two: Simply halve all ingredients and bake two pork chops.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep baked BBQ pork chops from drying out?
Start with thick-cut chops, let them come to room temperature before cooking, and don’t skip the sear. Most importantly, use a meat thermometer and pull them from the oven at 145°F. Letting them rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting also helps retain moisture.
Should I cover pork chops when baking them in BBQ sauce?
No, bake them uncovered. This allows the sauce to caramelize slightly and develop more flavor. If you cover them, the sauce will steam rather than thicken.
Can I use boneless or bone-in pork chops?
Yes! Both work well. Bone-in chops take a few minutes longer to cook and tend to be slightly juicier. Boneless chops cook faster and are easier to eat. Just adjust your baking time using the chart above.
What’s the best internal temperature for pork chops?
The USDA recommends 145°F for pork. At this temperature, the center may still look slightly pink, but it’s completely safe and much juicier than pork cooked to higher temps.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can prep the dry rub in advance and even season the pork chops a few hours ahead (store them covered in the fridge). For best results, sear and bake just before serving.
More Pork Chop Recipes to Try
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Watch How to Make It
Baked BBQ Pork Chops
Equipment
- Rimmed baking sheet
- 12-14 inch skillet
Ingredients
- 4 boneless thick-cut pork chops (about 8 ounces each and ¾-inch thick)
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup. Set aside.
- Pat pork chops dry with a paper towel.
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Rub the seasoning blend on both sides of the pork chops. Season both sides generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the chops and brown on both sides, about 3-5 minutes per side.
- Transfer the pork chops to the prepared baking sheet. Baste the tops and sides of the chops with about half of the barbecue sauce.
- Bake uncovered for 9-14 minutes, or until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145°F. About halfway through, baste with the remaining sauce. For a more caramelized exterior, broil for the final 2-3 minutes.
- Let the pork chops rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Let chops come to room temperature (about 30 minutes) before cooking for more even results.
- Don’t skip the sear. Browning adds flavor and seals in juices. If skipping, add 5-8 minutes to baking time.
- Use a meat thermometer. Pull the chops at 145°F for juicy, perfectly cooked pork.
- Customize the dry rub: Add cayenne for heat, use regular paprika instead of smoked, or substitute a store-bought BBQ blend.
- Oven-safe skillet option: Brown and bake in the same cast iron skillet for fewer dishes.
- Resting is key. Let chops rest 5-10 minutes before cutting to keep them juicy.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3-4 days. Freeze up to 2 months. Reheat covered at 350°F until warmed through.
- Boneless Thick: 9-14 minutes
- Boneless Thin: 5-8 minutes
- Bone-in Thick: 11-16 minutes
- Bone-in Thin: 7-11 minutes
Nutrition
Originally published in June, 2020, this post was updated in January, 2026.
If after you let the chops rest, they are too raw. You can heat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
The pork chops definitely stayed moist with this recipe, and it’s very flavorful.
Will definitely make again!
I’m so happy to hear that, Renee. Thank you!