If you’re craving comfort food that tastes like home, these classic smothered pork chops deliver rich, Southern flavor in every bite. Tender pork chops simmered in a savory onion gravy make this dish a weeknight favorite and a Sunday staple.
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If you love easy pork chop recipes, don’t miss these 4-ingredient oven baked pork chops, pan-fried pork chops, oven fried pork chops, and grilled pork chops with pork chop seasoning, too!
Southern Smothered Pork Chops are Classic Comfort Food
Smothered pork chops is a traditional Southern dish that’s made by “smothering” or covering the meat in a flavorful onion gravy. Sometimes the chops are cooked low and slow with the gravy; however, I find that you get the most tender and juicy meat (without drying out the pork) by pan-frying lightly-breaded chops in a skillet first, and then finishing them off in the gravy. Everything cooks in the same pan, which means fewer dishes at the end — an added bonus!
Ingredient Notes and Tips for Success
- Thick-cut bone-in pork chops are my preference for a Southern smothered pork chop recipe. They stay juicy and tender during braising, while the bone adds rich flavor to the meat and gravy. Thinner pork chops or boneless pork chops will work, but they cook faster. Keep a close eye on them in the skillet so that they don’t become tough and dry.
- Fresh mushrooms are an optional ingredient. Use them if you love ’em, leave them out if you don’t!
- You’ll need a fat to pan-fry the chops, saute the onions, and make the gravy. A classic Southern recipe typically uses oil or bacon grease, but butter is also a flavorful option.
How to Make Smothered Pork Chops
Southern smothered pork chops make the perfect hearty, down-home meal. You’ll find detailed directions in the recipe card below, but here’s the overview:
- Pat the pork dry before seasoning and breading. The seasoning will adhere better to the dry meat, and the pork will have a nicer sear.
- Dredge the seasoned pork chops in flour, shaking off any excess. The flour helps create good color, adds flavor, and later thickens the gravy.
- Fry the pork chops in a large skillet until golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. They don’t need to be cooked through at this point. Remember to fry the chops in batches, if necessary, so that you don’t overcrowd the pan and end up steaming them. Don’t be afraid to get some nice, dark color on the outside of the chops. This adds so much flavor, and it helps to lock in the juices. Remove the chops to a plate. Don’t wash the skillet after you brown the pork.
- Scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan as you make the gravy. The pork drippings will add so much great flavor to the dish. Saute the onions (and mushrooms if using) in the drippings in the skillet. Add the flour, thyme, broth, and cream to make the gravy. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Return the pork chops to the skillet. Simmer the chops until they’re cooked through and the gravy thickens, about 10-15 minutes. The best way to ensure perfectly cooked pork chops every time is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. The pork chops are done when they reach an internal temperature of 140-145°F. This will yield moist, tender, and juicy pork chops every time! Spoon the gravy and onions over the chops and garnish with fresh thyme.
Serving Suggestions
Southern smothered pork chops pair well with sides like mashed potatoes, flaky biscuits, this 3-ingredient biscuit recipe, cheese grits, creamy baked mac and cheese, potato pancakes, and this Southern cornbread recipe. Don’t forget the Southern collard greens, lima beans and ham, this stewed tomatoes recipe, Arkansas green beans, Southern style green beans, broccoli cheese rice casserole, fried apples, apple salad, marinated cucumbers, Jiffy Corn Casserole, this corn fritters recipe, and creamed peas, too!
Storage Tips
Leftover smothered pork chops will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze the cooked meat in an airtight container for up to 2 months; however, the gravy does not freeze well.
To Reheat: Allow the pork and gravy to come to room temperature on the counter for about 30 minutes. Place in a skillet over low heat. Cover and cook just until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Thin with a splash of broth, milk, or cream if the gravy is too thick.
Smothered Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in pork chops (center-cut or shoulder), about ¾-1 inch thick
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt (or a blend of salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper)
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour, divided
- ¼ cup vegetable oil, bacon grease, or butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves, plus extra for garnish
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup heavy cream, at room temperature
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons total)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce, to taste
Instructions
Season, Dredge, and Sear Pork Chops
- Pat the pork chops dry. Season both sides with seasoned salt and black pepper. Place ½ cup of the flour in a shallow bowl. Working with 1 pork chop at a time, dredge the meat lightly in flour, shaking off the excess flour; transfer to a tray. In a large cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan, heat the oil (or bacon grease or butter) over medium heat. Fry the pork chops until golden brown on both sides, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Don’t overcrowd the pan — work in batches, if necessary. Remove to a plate.
Make the Gravy
- Reserve 2 tablespoons of oil/drippings in the skillet; discard the excess. Add the sliced onions. Sauté over medium-low heat until golden and soft, about 10 to 12 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of flour into the pan with the onions. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the thyme, and then slowly whisk in the chicken broth, scraping the skillet to release the browned bits. Bring to a low simmer, then stir in the cream, if using. Add cayenne or a dash of hot sauce if you like a little bit of spicy kick. Taste and season the gravy with salt and pepper, if desired.
Smother and Simmer
- Return the pork chops to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer until the gravy thickens and the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 140-145°F, about 10-15 more minutes. Stir in a little bit more broth if the gravy gets too thick.
Serve
- Spoon the gravy and onions over the chops. Garnish with fresh thyme. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or hot buttered biscuits. The smothered pork chops are also delicious alongside collards, cornbread, green beans, or candied yams.
Notes
- Optional: add 12 ounces of sliced fresh mushrooms to the skillet at the same time that you add the onions.
- If you prefer the pork chops cooked low and slow so that they’re really broken down and fall-apart tender, start with thick chops that are well marbled with a lot of fat and connective tissue. Cover the skillet and let the meat simmer in the gravy over low heat for 30-40 minutes, or until very tender.
Nutrition
Recipe Variations
- Season your pork with additional herbs and spices, if you like. I keep it simple with seasoned salt and black pepper, but all-purpose seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Cajun seasoning are all nice options as well.
- For fall-apart tender pork chops, let the meat braise in the gravy for a longer time. Cover the pan and simmer over low heat for 30-40 minutes.
- Mushrooms are an optional addition to the gravy. If you’d like to include mushrooms in your meal, add them to the skillet at the same time that you add the onions.
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