Fried Pork Chops

Tender and juicy and downright addictive, these fried pork chops are marinated in a spicy buttermilk then breaded in a flavorful flour dredge creating the ultimate crunch and deliciousness.
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pan fried pork chops on a wire rack draining after frying

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Five star review

โ€œHands down, the best pork chops Iโ€™ve ever made!!โ€

โ€”ERIN.

The Lowdown of The Best Fried Pork Chop Recipe

Closeup of Jocelyn in pink dress smiling

When your mama is from Mississippi, you know a thing or two about fried pork chops. I grew up eating them once a week, and my mama taught me how to fry them right.

I start by tenderizing the chops in buttermilk with a little hot sauce. Finally I dredge in seasoned flour and fry until they get golden and crispy. Once you try this fried pork chops recipe, you will know why the South regards this comfort food with so much respect.

an orange heart with the name Jocelyn written out in script as a signature for Jocelyn Delk Adams

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Southern Fried Pork Chops

Ingredients to make southern fried pork chops in white bowls on a white background
  • Pork chops: I usually grab bone-in about an inch in thickness. That bone is gonna retain juiciness while they fry. I also look for some fat marbling.
  • Buttermilk: This liquid helps tenderize and give some tangy flavor to those chops.
  • Hot sauce: You gotta add some spice boos!
  • Self-rising flour: The leavening creates a lighter crispy coating.
  • Seasoned salt: We gotta get these chops well-seasoned so I love using this.
  • Black pepper: This balances the salt with some mild heat.
  • Ground garlic powder: I like adding a bit more savory flavor to our flour mixture with this.
  • Cayenne pepper: I love the extra heat this gives the seasoned flour. Of course you can leave this out if you can’t take the heat.
  • Paprika: Grab smoked paprika for this recipe.
  • Neutral oil: I use vegetable oil or canola because it doesn’t have a strong flavor profile. It also helps get them golden brown with a crispy crust.

How to Make Fried Pork Chops

Pork chops on a white plate with seasoned salt on it on countertop
1
Start by seasoning the pork chops with salt and black pepper on both sides.
Buttermilk with hot sauce in a white bowl on white countertop
2
Whisk hot sauce into buttermilk.
Pork chops added to spiced buttermilk in a white bowl on white countertop
3
Add the pork chops to the buttermilk. Let those babies soak for about an hour to flavor and tenderize.
Flour, seasoned salt and other spices in a zip top bag on white countertop
4
In a large zip top bag, add flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and paprika.
Seasoned flour in a zip top bag
5
Mix until combined.
Marinated pork chops in seasoned flour in a ziptop bag
6
Put the pork chops in the seasoned flour.
Dredged pork chops in a seasoned flour inside a ziptop bag
7
Make sure you coat really well on both sides. P.S. If you want super crispy, add back into buttermilk and then back into seasoned flour.
Dredged pork chops on parchment lined baking sheet
8
Place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Dredged pork chops after 20 minutes.
9
Let the chops set for at least 20 minutes with the flour before frying.
Pork chop frying in oil
10
Heat oil over medium high heat of about 350 F.ย ย 
Close up of fried pork chop coming out of oil
11
Fry until golden brown on both sides.ย  This can take about 3-4 minutes each side for thinner chops and up to 7 minutes per side for chops that are 1-inch thick.
Fried pork chops on wire rack draining
12
Once fried, remove and add to wire rack with paper towel lined baking sheet to drain. Let them drain for at least 10 minutes before serving.
pan fried pork chops on a wire rack draining after frying

Southern Fried Pork Chops Recipe

Tender and juicy and downright addictive, these fried pork chops are marinated in a spicy buttermilk then breaded in a flavorful flour dredge creating the ultimate crunch and deliciousness.
4.53 from 74 votes
Prep Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Servings: 5 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 lb bone in pork chops (about 3/4 inch in thickness) patted dry with paper towels
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 tsp hot sauce
  • 1 1/4 cup self rising flour
  • 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp seasoned salt plus to taste
  • 1 1/2 tsp black pepper plus to taste
  • 1/2 tsp ground garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper can go up to 3/4 tsp if you like a lot of spice
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika can go up to 1 teaspoon
  • 2 cups canola oil

Instructions

  • Season pork chops with salt and black pepper to taste on both sides.
  • Next whisk hot sauce into buttermilk and dip pork chops into buttermilk mixture. Allow to soak for an hour.
  • In a large plastic bag, add flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and paprika and mix until combined.
  • Put pork chops into seasoned flour and coat really well. If you want super crispy, add back into buttermilk and then back into seasoned flour. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Let the chops set for at least 20 minutes with the flour before frying.
  • Heat oil over medium high heat of about 350 F.ย ย 
  • Fry until golden brown on both sides, about 2-4 minutes on each side depending on thickness of the chops.ย  Make sure your chops are cooked to an internal temperature of 145ยฐF before you serve them up.
  • Once fried, remove and add to a wire rack with a paper towel lined baking sheet before it to drain.
  • Let the chops rest for 10 minutes to get back juicy them serve them up.

Notes

Make sure you season both the pork chops and also the flour.ย  Using seasoned salt is a nice element to add additional flavor. It is usually salt seasoned with additional spices to create more depth for your dish.
Feel free to adjust spice elements like cayenne, hot sauce and paprika based on your preference. ย If you prefer more spice, definitely add a bit more. Just be careful when adding cayenne because it can pack major spice. ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 396kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 1590mg | Potassium: 507mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 345IU | Vitamin C: 1.4mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 0.8mg
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What to Serve with Buttermilk Fried Pork Chops

Southern potato salad in an oval serving plate with a wooden spoon near by
Southern potato salad is always welcome at the cookout. It’s got so much flavor, and is perfect with these chops.
A fork piercing through Southern fried okra recipe before enjoy
While you have the fryer on, might as well make some fried okra too.
A skillet of fried corn only half shown in the image with an ear of fresh corn in the background.
Make my mama’s fried corn. It is a wonderful cookout side that’s easy with tons of simple flavor.
A slice of pound cake being removed to serve with fresh berries and whipped cream
This basic pound cake is anything but basic. The flavors are so incredible, and you can serve with whipped cream and fruit or a simple icing.

Recipe Substitutions

  • Pork Chops: While bone-in is my fave to use here, boneless works just fine. Just make sure you don’t overcook since they tend to be dryer.
  • Flour: If ya ain’t got self-rising flour, all-purpose is just fine. You can also make your own self-rising flour! For every cup of all-purpose flour needed, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt, whisk it up and sub it in.
  • Buttermilk: If you ran out of buttermilk, use this sub. Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice to 2 cups of regular milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it curdles and use it for the marinade.
  • Spices: Kosher salt along with additional spices can replace seasoned salt. Regular paprika is just fine to use instead of smoked and you can replace the cayenne with a few red pepper flakes.
  • Oil: You just need a neutral oil here so vegetable oil, canola oil or even peanut oil will work. Just don’t use olive oil boos. The flavor is just too strong.
The best fried pork chops recipe on a white plate served with green peas and mashed potatoes with another plate in the white background

Recipe Variations and Additions

  • Gluten Free: Replace the self-rising flour with a 1:1 ratio gluten-free flour alternative. The crust might change a little but chops will still be hittin.
  • Smother Them Up: After you fry them, create a gravy and make bomb smothered pork chops.
  • Stuff Them: Use the stuffing from my crab stuffed salmon and create a incredible remix on the classic.
  • Crunch It Up: You can make the crust even crunchier if you add some bread crumbs, panko or even crushed cornflakes to the dry ingredients.

Expert Tips and Tricks for Pan Fried Pork Chops

  • Adjust As Needed: The spices in this recipe are like a guideline. You can adjust based on your preferences so it tastes just how you like it.
  • Let the Chops Chill: After you bread the pork chops, let them rest for about 20 minutes. It helps the crust stay put when you fry.
  • Quick Clean Up: I like to use a large plastic bag to dredge the pork chops in seasoned flour.
  • Frying Heat: Make sure the frying oil is around 350ยฐ before you fry them up. If you put them in too early, the skin will be soggy. If the temperature is higher than 375ยฐF, your crust could burn before your chops even cook on the inside.
  • Be Safe: Make sure your chops are cooked to an internal temperature of 145ยฐF before you serve them up. Grab the meat thermometer to check.
A southern fried pork chop cut in half to show the juicy texture inside on a white plate

How to Store Breaded Fried Pork Chops

Make sure they are cooled to room temp then wrap plastic wrap or add to an air-tight container and pop in the fridge.

You can either reheat in the oven or the air fryer (my fave way). Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF and bake up to 15 minutes until heated through.

How long will they last in the fridge?

They will last for up to 4 days.

Can I freeze them?

Absolutely boos. I like adding leftovers to a zip-top resealable bag removing as much as possible. They should last for up to 3 months. When you want to reheat, just thaw in the fridge overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tenderize tough pork chops?

I like to grab a mallet so I can break down the meat more before marinating and cooking.

Why are my Pan Fried Pork Chops dry?

You more than likely overcooked them boo. Pork chops definitely vary in thickness, which determines how long it takes to cook them up. Overcooking happens quicker than you think y’all. A well done pork chop is fully cooked when it reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can you reuse the oil after you fry pork chops?

Yep boos! You can. Make sure it cools down completely then strain with a sieve and store in an airtight container in a cool place.

More Fried Recipes to Try

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

Comments

  1. Hello, I am loving your recipes! Thank you for sharing

    Do we have to use self rising flour? Or can it be replaced with all purpose flour?

  2. Absolutely delicious!!!!! Tried this recipe because I was bored with plain old regular pork chops and I will definitely be making them again. My extremely picky hubby and 7 year old ate every bite.

  3. One of my family’s new favorite dishes! Usually, when I find a recipe online, I have to tweak it the next time I cook it, to make it just right. Not this recipe! It is perfect exactly the way it is!

  4. My son-in-law ate so many pork chops as a child , he swore he wouldn’t ever eat another chop. I came across this recipe and prepared them as you directed. To My Surprise and my daughters’~ he loved them and now says “are they the ones you make off that website!?” Thank you for this fabulous recipe, we all love these pork chops.

  5. i tried this recipe last night and i loved it. My husband loved it. We will definitely be using your recipes again.

  6. Omg these pork chops are so good!! I have never really been a big chef I can cook but not a wide variety of things.. but I saw your recipe for these and thought they looked amazing so I gave it a try and I have to say with a boyfriend and two year old daughter who both are very picky eaters they didn’t have anything left on their plate haha it was definitely a success thank you for sharing

  7. Delicious!!!! I might try adding egg to the wash. Some of my batter fell off in cast iron skillet. This will definitely join our dinner rotation. Thank you for sharing!!!

    1. Hooray so glad you enjoyed it. Make sure to let your pork chops set before frying too so the batter adheres really well.

4.53 from 74 votes (35 ratings without comment)

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