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    Home » Recipes » Weeknight Recipes

    Lemon Pepper Pork Chops in Cast Iron Skillet

    Published: Sep 30, 2023 by Cree · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    Today, we're talking about Lemon Pepper Pork Chops. Imagine perfectly cooked tender and juicy pork chops enveloped in a garlicky and lemony butter pan sauce. This can be your ticket to a hassle-free weeknight dinner whether you're a seasoned cook or are just starting out in the kitchen. Quite honestly your status doesn't matter, it's about bringing incredible flavor to your dinner table with ease. Let's get into it.

    So, my friend, if you're looking to elevate your weeknight dinner game, this recipe is for you. It's quick, easy and comes together in about 30 minutes.

    Serving Suggestions

    You can pair this recipe with almost any side ranging from this comforting Herb Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe to a bright and crisp Easy Peach Arugula Salad. Here are a few more of our favorites:

    • Saffron Yellow Rice In Rice Cooker
    • Crispy Oven Roasted Broccolini
    • Crispy Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes
    • Roasted Beets in Foil
    • Fluffy rice
    • Roasted Asparagus and Carrots
    • Easy No Mayo Coleslaw

    Ingredients

    Bringing together succulent pork chops is easy with just a handful or two of everyday ingredients. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of zest and savoriness.

    • Pork chops
    • Grapeseed oil, avocado oil, or extra virgin olive oil
    • Kosher salt
    • Garlic powder
    • Onion powder
    • Black pepper
    • Cold butter
    • Fresh minced garlic
    • Fresh lemons

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Ingredient Notes

    Aside from the other ingredients that go into these pan-seared lemon pork chops, I think it's worth taking note of the following 2 ingredients.

    Butter: The secret to making this lemony butter pan sauce is using cold butter. This will keep the sauce together and prevent it from breaking.

    Fresh lemons: Using freshly squeezed lemon juice is by far better than using the bottled stuff. Go for fresh lemons whenever possible.

    How to Cook Lemon Pepper Pork Chops

    Let me guide you through the steps to turn ordinary pork chops into these easy lemon pepper pork chops that's bursting with citrus and buttery flavors.

    • Place your cast iron skillet over medium high and add cooking oil to the skillet/
    • When oil is hot, add pork chops an sear.
    • Flip the chops over to sear the other side.
    • Remove the pork chops from the skillet and place on a clean plate.
    • Add the cold butter to the pan and whisk as the butter melts.
    • Add lemon zest and minced garlic and saute until fragrant.
    • Add lemon juice and whisk until thickened.
    • Add fresh chopped parsley.
    • Add chops back to skillet, spoons over sauce and continue cooking until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.
    • When done, remove the pork chops from the skillet and place on a clean plate and spoon pan sauce over the top.
    • Serve with your favorite side and enjoy.

    Variations

    Here are a couple of more ways to transform pork chops:

    Try these Dutch oven pork chops in a velvety homemade gravy with sauteed mini bella mushrooms.

    Or, if you're looking for crispy golden chops, these Cajun fried pork chop might be calling your name. They're seasoned to perfection with your favorite Cajun seasoning, lightly dredged in flour then fried until crispy on the outside and moist on the inside.

    Equipment

    For this recipe, I used my cast iron skillet, but feel free to use a stainless steel skillet, Dutch oven or braiser. It's totally up to you.

    Storage and Reheat

    Store

    Store any leftovers in an airtight container with a tight fitting lid. You can store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Reheat

    When reheating, place your pork chops in an oven-safe dish. Place in a 375 degree preheated oven until your chops are warm throughout.

    Top Tips

    1. To get a really good sear, be sure to pat dry your pork chops thoroughly with paper towels after rinsing them off.
    2. In order for your pork chops to stay juicy and tender, cook them until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.
    3. Be sure to use cold butter when making your lemon butter pan sauce as this will prevent the sauce from breaking.
    4. Use the juice of freshly squeezed lemons to make the bright lemony butter sauce. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is way better than the bottled stuff.
    5. Taste test your pan sauce during the cooking process to make sure it's seasoned to your liking. Add a little kosher salt at a time at first.

    FAQ

    Can I use boneless pork chops?

    You sure can! While my recipe calls for bone-in. Boneless pork chops will be great too. The 2 most important things when it comes to cooking pork chops is seasoning them well and cooking them until they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees.

    Can I substitute fresh lemon juice with bottled lemon juice?

    I recommend using fresh lemon juice whenever you can. Although bottled lemon juice is more convenient, it doesn't have the vibrant citrusy taste compared to fresh lemons. Fresh lemons juice is preferable.

    When do I know that the pork chops are cooked perfectly?

    Instead of focusing on cooking time, the best way to know that your pork chops are cooked perfectly is to use an instant read meat thermometer. To do this, insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat away from the bone. When it registers to 145 degrees F, your chops are done.

    How long to cook lemon pepper pork chops?

    Place a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add oil to the skillet. When the oil is hot, place your chops in the skillet and sear each side for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove them from the skillet and place on a clean plate. Lower the temp a bit and begin making your lemon garlic butter sauce. As your sauce begins to thicken, add your chops back to the skillet and continue to cook for 10 to 12 more minutes or until your chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.

    More Pork Recipes

    Looking for other pork recipes? Try these:

    • slab of grilled pork spare ribs on cutting board with sauce
      Grilled BBQ Pork Spare Ribs
    • grilled teriyaki pork ribs on cutting board garnished with thyme
      Grilled Teriyaki Pork Ribs Recipe
    • Four stacked pork chops with gravy and mushrooms on a gray plate with fresh thyme on the side of the plate and top of the chops.
      Dutch Oven Pork Chops with Gravy

    Pairing

    These are some of my favorite dishes to serve with Lemon Pepper Pork Chops:

    • pesto pasta in large light gray plate next to smaller gray plate that has a striped gray napkin on top of it.
      Creamy Spinach Pesto Pasta with Walnuts
    • pasta and veggies in white bowl with pesto before mixing.
      Basil Pesto Pasta With Veggies (No Pine Nuts)
    • sliced brazilian pinepple on round wooden tray.
      Brazilian Pineapple Dessert
    • one glass of iced citrus hibiscus drink sitting on a coaster.
      Simple Citrus Hibiscus Drink

    Did you make this recipe?

    If so, let me know how it went. Leave a 'Star Rating' within the recipe card down below and/or TAG @cookingwithbliss on Instagram. I can't wait to see how it turned out.

    📖 Recipe

    Four lemon pepper pork chops garnished with chopped fresh parsley on a bluish-gray plate next to a gray napkin.

    Lemon Pepper Pork Chop in Cast Iron Skillet

    By Cree
    Lemon Pepper Pork Chop in Cast Iron Skillet
    Imagine perfectly cooked tender and juicy pork chops in a garlicky and lemony butter pan sauce. This can be your ticket to a hassle-free weeknight dinner whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes
    Sear: 6 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 23 minutes minutes
    Calories: 473kcal
    Lemon Pepper Pork Chop in Cast Iron Skillet

    Equipment

    • Cast Iron Skillet stainless steel skillet, dutch oven, or braiser
    • Whisk for whisking pan sauce
    • Cutting board to mince the garlic and chop the fresh parsley

    Ingredients 

    • 2 lbs pork chops (or 4 bone-in pork chops)
    • 2 tablespoon grapeseed oil (avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil)
    • ½ tablespoon garlic powder
    • ½ tablespoon onion powder
    • 3 tsp kosher salt (divide between the seasoning the meat and the pan sauce)
    • 2 teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 tablespoon cold butter
    • 2 whole lemons (zest of 2 lemons and juice of 1-½ lemons)
    • 2 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, plus more for garnish)

    Instructions

    • Rinse pork chops under cool water then pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Season generously with kosher salt, garlic powder and onion powder and black pepper.
    • Place a cast iron skillet over medium high heat then add cooking oil. When oil is hot, place the pork chops in the skillet and sear for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the pork chops over and sear the other side for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the chops from the skillet and place on a clean plate. Set aside.
    • Lower the heat a bit, to the same skillet add the cold butter and allow it to melt while whisking and scraping up the brown bit in the cast iron skillet. Add the lemon zest and minced garlic and saute just until fragrant about 30 secs or a little less. Then, add the freshly squeezed lemon juice and which until sauce begins to thicken.
    • Add the pork chops back to the skillet and continue cooking for 10 to 12 minutes or until the internal temperature of the pork chops reaches 145 degrees. Be sure to spoon the pan sauce over the top of each chop during the cooking process.

    Notes

    1. To get a really good sear, be sure to pat dry your pork chops thoroughly with paper towels after rinsing them off.
    2. In order for your pork chops to stay juicy and tender, cook them until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.
    3. Be sure to use cold butter when making your lemon butter pan sauce as this will prevent the sauce from breaking.
    4. Use the juice of freshly squeezed lemons to make the bright lemony butter sauce. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is way better than the bottled stuff.
    5. Taste test your pan sauce during the cooking process to make sure it's seasoned to your liking. Add a little kosher salt at a time at first.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 473kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 167mg | Sodium: 1856mg | Potassium: 894mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 358IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For the most accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information using the specific ingredients and brands you use.

    Tried this Recipe? Don’t forget to give this recipe a Star Rating and Leave a Comment below- I’d love to hear from you.
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    HEY, I'M CREE

    I’m excited to share all things food from my perspective while bringing together Southern, Cajun, and Soul food with a modern vibe so if we haven't met.

    more about me here!

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