Smothered Pork Chops

My Mississippi big mama’s Smothered Pork Chops start with crispy and well seasoned fried pork chops that simmer in a crazy delish brown gravy until thickened. Each bite is full on flavor y’all. Because true Southern folks don’t measure a thing, I extensively tested this recipe so you could make them perfectly in your kitchen.

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Easy smothered pork chops in a skillet with a spoon against a white background with a pork chop on a white plate with rice

How to Make Smothered Pork Chops

Season, Dredge and Fry

Dredged pork chops on a white plate

Step 1: Season up those chops with salt and pepper. Dredge the chops in flour, brown on both sides, then set aside.

Fried pork chops in skillet being browned

Step 2: Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Brown the chops in the skillet on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Then remove the pork chops and drain that oil on paper towels.

PRO TIP: Don’t overcrowd the pan. It will drop the heat. The pork chops won’t cook evenly resulting in them being soggy. Fry in batches or grab a bigger skillet.

Build Flavor and Start the Roux

Onions browned in a skillet

Step 3: Add in the onions and sauté for a few minutes until softened and color has developed. Toss in that garlic and let it go for about 30 seconds.

Flour added to skillet with onions and garlic

Step 4: Now start the roux. Shift the garlic and onions to the side and add in the remaining oil so you can brown up that flour. We want to get a good toffee color. This can take about 5-8 minutes.

Make the Gravy

Chicken stock and water added to onions in skillet

Step 5: Stir in the chicken stock and water to get the gravy liquid going.

Gravy thickening in a skillet

Step 6: Bring to a boil then add in the Worcestershire sauce, Creole seasoning, and hot sauce.

Breaded pork chops added to a gravy in skillet

Step 7: Reduce the heat, return the pork chops to the skillet.

Completed smothered pork chops in a skillet ready to serve

Step 8: Cover and simmer until tender. Once they are sauced up, they will be good to go.

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Smothered pork chop recipe over white rice with a silver fork on white plate

Smothered Pork Chops Recipe

This Southern Smothered Pork Chops Recipe is pure comfort food.  Lightly breaded pork chops are smothered in a rich savory and well seasoned brown gravy resulting in the perfect Southern classic.
4.36 from 135 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course: Main Course
Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 lb bone in pork chops patted dry with paper towels
  • Seasoned salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 6 tbsp vegetable oil separated
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour plus 1 tablespoon separated
  • 1 medium sized onion diced
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 tsp creole seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp hot sauce
  • Rice for serving

Instructions

  • Season your dried pork chops with salt and pepper to taste.  Dredge pork chops lightly in ½ cup of flour then let the chops sit for about 15 minutes to set.
  • Heat 4 tablespoons of oil (or a little more if you have a super large pan) in large pan over medium heat. Pan-fry in skillet on both sides, about 2-3 minutes each side. Once browned, remove pork chops from skillet and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
  • Next scrape the bottom of the pan getting up all of the browned bits. Add the onion to the pan and sauté for about 5 minutes until a bit browned and tender. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds so they don't burn..  
  • Push onions and garlic to one side of the pan then add remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to skillet then sprinkle in remaining flour. Constantly stir allowing the flour to brown until it reaches a toffee color (about 5-8 minutes) then pour in chicken stock and a 1/2 cup of water and whisk together until smooth.  
  • Turn heat to high to bring the gravy to a boil and season with salt and pepper. Whisk in Worcestershire sauce, creole seasoning and hot sauce then turn heat down to medium.  
  • Add back in pork chops and put lid on pan for about 25-35 minutes or until sauce has thickened up (don't stop if it is still too thin of a gravy) and coats the back of the spoon and pork chops are nice and tender.. 
  • Serve over rice and garnish with parsley if you desire.

Video

Notes

Make sure you really allow the gravy to thicken.  Take the time to let it simmer until it coats the back of a spoon.  It will also continue to thicken once the heat is turned off if it is resting.
    1. Let it Cool: First, allow the pork chops and gravy to cool to room temperature. This helps to maintain their texture and prevent condensation inside the storage container, which could make the gravy watery.
    1. Airtight Container: Transfer the pork chops and gravy into an airtight container. If possible, lay the pork chops flat and cover them with gravy to help retain their moisture and flavor.
    1. Refrigerate Promptly: Place the airtight container in the refrigerator. Smothered pork chops will last for 3-4 days when stored properly in the fridge.
    1. Freezing Option: For longer storage, you can freeze the pork chops and gravy. Use a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. They should maintain their best quality for about 2-3 months.
    1. Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy again, you can reheat the pork chops in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the oven. If reheating from frozen, it’s best to thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Ingredient Swaps and Information
  • Vegetable Oil: You can use this or any neutral oil like canola. I don’t recommend olive oil. Too strong in flavor.
  • Pork Chops: I love using bone-in because they are more flavorful and juicy boos. You can also grab boneless pork loin chops or even pork shoulder steaks. Grab center-cut for even more flavor.
  • Seasoned Salt & Black Pepper: Season to taste and don’t be shy.
  • All-Purpose Flour: You can swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 ratio gluten-free flour for the breading and the roux if you want.
  • Onion: Grab yellow or sweet onions.
  • Minced Garlic: You can also grate your onion or even use garlic powder if you don’t wanna do all that work.
  • Chicken Stock: Broth is fine to use if you don’t have stock. You can also grab beef or vegetable as well.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: This is my secret ingredient y’all. Soy sauce also works in a pinch.
  • Creole Seasoning: Cajun seasoning works or you can keep it to seasoned salt and black pepper.
  • Hot Sauce: You can leave this out if you don’t want the extra spice.

Nutrition

Calories: 492kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 413mg | Potassium: 736mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 4.4mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2.2mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @GrandbabyCakes or tag #grandbabycakes!

Recipe Tips

  • Don’t Overcrowd: Fry in batches instead or use a larger pan so the chops can cook evenly and not get soggy.
  • Simmer Until Tender: Don’t stop simmering until those chops are tender and cooked through. The sauce needs to thicken up as well. If it doesn’t coat the back of a spoon, don’t stop the heat.
  • Don’t Overcook: Chops can get tough if you cook them too long. A safe internal temp of 160°F (71°C) is a good move.
  • Taste Before Serving: Make sure you taste your gravy and adjust until the spices and flavors are exactly how you like them. That’s how all the home cooks in the South do it!

Serving Suggestions

Smothered pork chop recipe over white rice with a silver fork on white plate

More Smothered Recipes

Filed Under:  Dinner, Main Dishes, Pork, Southern Classics, Stovetop

Comments

  1. I made these tonight for me and my husband. They were delicious. The only thing I will do differently next time is use less oil.

  2. hEY, BOO! I’M A COOK. I MEAN, I KNOW HOW SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS GET MADE. HOWEVER, I DO LIKE TO LOOK AT A RECIPE FIRST – ESPECIALLY IF IT’S BEEN A MINUTE SINCE I SMOTHERED SOMETHING. I KNEW EXACTLY WHO TO TURN TO! so easy, so quick, perfectly scaled ingredients… no guesswork at all. complete trust in your process. no thinking required! : )
    MY FAMILY LOVES EVERY SINGLE RECIPE OF YOURS that We’ve Made, and THESE WERE Definitely added to the repeat sooner than later list. I added mushrooms and threw in all the fresh herbs from my backyard–parsley, thyme & rosemary… i may have even thrown in some basil? Oh, and yOUR SOUTHERN SOUR CREAM POUND CAKE WAS JUST THE TICKET TO HAVE LATER IN THE EVENING… AND FOR BREAKFAST… AND FOR A SNACK… AND FOR ANOTHER BREAKFAST. WHEW!
    I think we’re going to have shrimp etouffee pot pie later this week since the heatwave hasn’t returned!

    1. Good grief, the way that post is typed makes me look like a nut. I swear i’m not 100 yrs old using technology for the first time. XD

  3. Are you a mean gurl? Did I miss the specs on measurements for each ingredient? Are your recipes for the advanced cook? (I’m advanced) but leaving peoples to just make a roux based on what I’ve read, is going to leave kitchens full of errors. If you put an asterik on *add water to gravy(and a question mark)? Then I will control/alt/delete my post.

    1. Hi Juss, the ingredients with the measurements and full recipe are right above the comments in the recipe card. Hope you enjoy!

  4. This is my new favorite pork chop recipe! I made them for dinner last night and they were perfectly juicy and delicious!

4.36 from 135 votes (80 ratings without comment)

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