Instant Pot Pork Chops Recipe: Delicious, Juicy, And Tender Pork Chops

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Instant Pot Pork Chops Recipe is what you want when you need a satisfying dinner without standing over the stove for an hour. You season boneless pork chops with garlic powder and Italian seasoning, sear them for a few minutes on each side, then let the pressure cooker finish the job while the chops stay juicy inside and slightly crisp on the outside. The whole process takes about 35 minutes from start to finish, and you only need a handful of pantry ingredients to get there. It is simple enough for a busy weeknight, yet it still turns out tender, flavorful chops every time.

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Pork Chops Recipe

• Ready in 35 Minutes. Between the 10-minute prep and the 15-minute cook, dinner lands on the table fast, which makes this a solid pick for a busy weeknight.
• Just a Few Ingredients. Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, cooking oil and water are everything needed to season and cook the chops, so there is no long shopping list.
• Tender on the Inside. The pressure cooking method keeps the chops moist, and a quick saute on each side before sealing the lid gives the outside a bit of color.
• Beginner-Friendly Steps. Season the chops, brown them briefly, add the water, then let the Instant Pot do the work and release naturally for a few minutes. There is nothing complicated about it.
• Good for a Group. Six boneless pork chops come out of one batch, so it works well for a family dinner or a small gathering.

This recipe “Instant pot Pork Chops” is easy to follow and cooks in about 30 minutes. If you want to get dinner on the table quickly, this one is for you!

The pressure cooker takes the guesswork out of the process, so there is no hovering over a skillet, no guessing if the center is done, and no cutting into one chop and hoping for the best. Once the lid is sealed, the timer does the work, and you get the same reliable results every time, which makes this comfort food you can get on the table without babysitting the stove.

What is Instant Pot Pork Chops

Pork chops are a delicious and easy-to-make meal, and they’re even better when cooked in an Instant Pot. This pork chop recipe is made with boneless pork chops, but you can also use bone-in pork chops if you prefer. The Instant Pot cooks the pork chops quickly and evenly, resulting in juicy, flavorful pork chops that are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

Taste of Instant Pot Pork Chops

Pork chops are versatile and delicious cuts of meat that can also be used in a variety of cooking methods. When cooked properly, they are juicy and full of flavor. This Instant Pot pork chops recipe is an easy and delicious way to cook pork chops.

The Instant Pot pressure cooker cooks the pork chops quickly and evenly, resulting in perfectly cooked pork chops every time. And, because the Instant Pot seals in all the flavors, the pork chops are infused with the deliciousness of the garlic-herb sauce.

How to make frozen pork chops instant pot

One of the best things about cooking with an Instant Pot is that you can cook frozen food without thawing it first. This is a great time saver, and it’s especially handy when you forget to thaw meat for dinner. Pork chops are one of the best meats to cook from frozen in an Instant Pot. They cook evenly and quickly, and they come out moist and flavorful.

Start by seasoning pork with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside

Now take an instant pot and add cooking oil to it and add pork chops in the pot.

To cook frozen pork chops in an Instant Pot, start by adding 1 cup of water to the pot. Then, add your frozen pork chops to the pot. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes per inch of thickness.

For example, if your pork chops are 1 inch thick, cook them for 8 minutes. If they’re 2 inches thick, cook them for 16 minutes.

Once the pork chops are cooked through, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then quickly release any remaining pressure. When the pressure is released, carefully remove the lid and transfer the pork chops to a plate or cutting board.

Serve immediately with your favorite side dish.

How do you keep thin pork chops from drying out?

If you’re worried about your pork chops drying out in the Instant Pot, there are a few things you can do to prevent this.

First, make sure that you don’t overcook them. Pork chops only need to be cooked for 3-4 minutes per side in the Instant Pot, so they won’t take long to cook through.

Second, add a little bit of liquid to the pot before cooking. This could be water or even just some white wine. The liquid will help to keep the pork chops moist as they cook.

Finally, don’t forget to let the pork chops rest for a few minutes after cooking before cutting into them. This will help them to retain their juices and stay moist.

Freezing Instructions

Pork chops are a great option for a quick and easy meal, but sometimes you just don’t have the time to cook them. If you find yourself in this situation, you may be wondering if pork chops can be frozen. The answer is yes! Pork chops can be frozen raw or cooked, and they will still retain their flavor and texture.

If you’re freezing raw pork chops, make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or freezer bags. This will prevent them from drying out or freezer burn. Cooked pork chops can be stored in the same way, but they may need to be reheated before eating.

Reheating Instructions

If you need to reheat your pork chops, the best way to do it is in the oven. Place the pork chops on an oven rack at 350°F. Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until the cakes are cooked through. They can be reheated in the microwave. However, they won’t dry out if you overcook them.

Ingredient Notes

• Boneless Pork Chops. Look for six boneless chops around 6 ounces each, with an even thickness so they cook through at the same rate. Bone-in chops work too, since the recipe already supports that swap.
• Garlic Powder. This gives the chops a savory base flavor without the risk of burning, which can happen with fresh garlic on high heat. Measure 1.5 teaspoons for the full batch.
• Italian Seasoning. A blend of dried herbs adds the main flavor to the mix with a single shake. Use 1.5 teaspoons, rubbed over both sides of the meat.
• Cooking Oil. Any neutral oil works for searing the chops on saute mode. You only need 1.5 tablespoons, enough to coat the bottom of the pot.
• Salt and Pepper. These round out the flavor along with the garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Add them to taste before searing.

How To Make Instant Pot Pork Chops Recipe

STEP 1 – First, season the pork chops on both sides with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and black pepper.

STEP 2 – Next, turn the Instant Pot to saute mode and let it get hot, then add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil.

STEP 3 – Then place the pork chops in the pot and cook them for 3 minutes on each side, and once they are browned, remove the chops.

STEP 4 – After that, turn off the saute mode and add 1 cup of water, mixing in any brown bits from the bottom of the pot, then add the pork chops back in.

STEP 5 – Close the lid and make sure the vent is sealed, then set the timer to 10 minutes.

STEP 6 – Once the timer goes off, let the pressure drop naturally for about 6 minutes, then release the remaining pressure.

STEP 7 – Finally, take off the lid and place the pork chops on a plate, and they are ready to enjoy.

Tips for the Best Instant Pot Pork Chops Recipe

• Use Water as the Liquid. This recipe uses 1 cup of water as the pressure cooking liquid, added after searing, so there is no need to swap in a different liquid.
• Keep Chops Uniform in Size. Using pork chops of a similar size and thickness, like the 6 oz boneless chops called for here, helps them cook evenly together.
• Sear Before Pressure Cooking. Searing the pork chops for 3 minutes on each side in the saute mode before pressure cooking builds flavor into the dish.
• Let the Pressure Release Naturally. Allow the natural pressure drop for around 6 minutes after the 10-minute cook time before releasing the rest of the pressure, as the recipe instructs.
• Scrape the Pot Before Sealing. Mix in the browned bits from the bottom of the pot when you add the water, as this is part of the recipe’s method.
• Mind the Prep and Cook Time. This recipe takes 10 minutes to prep and 15 minutes to cook, for a 35-minute total, so plan your meal timing around that.
• Recipe Yields Six Servings. This recipe makes 6 servings, so adjust your sides accordingly if you are cooking for more or fewer people.

Common Instant Pot Pork Chops Recipe Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the Browning Step. Rushing straight to the lid without browning the chops first leaves them tasting flat once they are done. Give both sides their full time in the hot pot before adding water.
• Using Thin Chops Without Liquid. Thinner cuts cooked with too little water in the pot can dry out fast once the lid goes on. Always use the full amount of water the recipe calls for.
• Cooking Past the Set Time. Leaving the chops sealed in the pot longer than the timer calls for turns them tough instead of tender. Stick to the time the recipe states and let the pressure come down as directed.
• Skipping the Pot Scrape. Leaving stuck bits on the bottom of the pot after browning can set off a burn warning once the lid is sealed. Mix them into the water before you add the chops back in.
• Cutting Into Chops Too Soon. Slicing into the meat right off the pot lets the juices run out before the pork chops have had a chance to rest.

How To Tell When Instant Pot Pork Chops Recipe Is Done

The easiest way to know your Instant Pot Pork Chops Recipe is ready is to check the internal temperature with a digital instant-read thermometer, inserted sideways into the thickest part of the chop since the chops are a fairly thin piece of meat.

Make It Ahead

If you want to get ahead of dinnertime, you can season the pork chops with the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper a day before you plan to cook, then keep them covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to saute and pressure cook them. This saves you a step on a busy evening and lets the seasoning sit on the meat a little longer before it goes into the Instant Pot.

You can also cook the full recipe ahead of time and keep the chops stored as described above, then reheat them in the oven or microwave whenever you are ready to eat. This makes it easy to have dinner ready in minutes on a night when you do not have time to start from scratch.

Storing Instant Pot Pork Chops Recipe

• Cool Before Storing. Let the pork chops cool slightly before placing them in a storage container, so they do not create extra condensation inside the container.
• Use An Airtight Container. Place the cooled chops in an airtight container or wrap them tightly, then keep them in the refrigerator until you are ready to reheat them.
• Keep The Cooking Liquid. Store the leftover cooking liquid along with the chops if you want extra moisture for reheating later, or save it to stir into a gravy.
• Freeze For Longer Storage. If you will not eat the pork chops within a few days, move them to the freezer instead, following the freezing instructions above for best results.
• Reheat To A Safe Temperature. When you are ready to eat your stored pork chops, reheat them until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, according to USU.

Variations and Substitutions

• Bone-In Pork Chops. You can use bone-in pork chops instead of boneless, as the recipe already supports this swap; just season and saute them the same way before pressure cooking.
• Ranch Seasoning Mix. Use a ranch seasoning blend in place of the Italian seasoning and garlic powder for a tangy, herby take on the same pork chops.
• Pork Loin Chops. Pork loin chops can stand in for regular boneless pork chops in this method, seasoned and sauteed the same way before going into the Instant Pot.
• Smothered Style Finish. After pressure cooking, use the liquid left in the pot to spoon over the pork chops for a smothered, saucier finish.
• Deglazing for Flavor. When you add the water after searing, scrape up the browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot, as the recipe instructs, to build more flavor into the cooking liquid. For a different take on the same flavors, try our Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork.

What to Serve with It

Simple sides work best alongside this dish because they come together in about the same time it takes the pork chops to cook. Mashed potatoes, rice or noodles all make a solid base for the meal, and a quick vegetable side rounds things out without much extra effort. Biscuits are worth adding too, as they are handy for mopping up the liquid left in the pot once the chops come out.

If you want to add another pork dish to your meal rotation, give our Instant Pot pork roast a try, or go with our Instant Pot pulled pork when you want something you can pile onto a bun or plate alongside the same simple sides.