Southern-fried pork chops are the ultimate comfort food meal that everyone loves! With their golden color and crispy exterior, they are a family favorite that never gets old - and the recipe is easy to make too, with key ingredients like pork chops, flour, buttermilk, and spices required.
Contents
🌟 Why this recipe works
When it comes to pure comfort food that warms your heart and sends your taste buds into overdrive, juicy pork chops come to mind - soaked in buttermilk and fried to a crisp in a flavorful flour mixture! It's so simple yet so delicious and has stood the test of time as one of the best Southern family favorite recipes!
The combination of tender fried pork coated in a golden brown crispy coating is simply irresistible. Plus, you only need a few pantry staples to make the flour mix and some buttermilk and hot sauce to soak the pork chops in to tenderize them.
It's the perfect recipe for any home cook to whip up in a hurry without any fuss or a huge amount of washing up afterward. This recipe is similar to my Southern Style fried chicken tenders.
And when you have pan-fried pork chops as the star dish, there is no limit to what you can pair with them, from biscuits and country-style gravy to potato recipes and creamy mac and cheese -the list goes on!
So, go ahead and give your friends and family a sublime dinner they will remember and talk about for years to come.
Don't forget to check out our other delicious pork recipes:
🍽 Key Ingredients
The list of ingredients required to make these juicy fried pork chops are common pantry staples, which means you can have a tasty meal anytime you want.
Pork chops - Pork chops are the main ingredient for this fried pork chop recipe. You can use bone-in pork chops or boneless pork chops for this recipe.
Buttermilk and hot sauce - Buttermilk is used to help tenderize the pork chops, and hot sauce adds a nice kick of flavor.
Flour mixture - Flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and paprika are all combined to make the delicious coating to fry the pork chops.
Oil for frying - Canola oil is used to fry the pork chops and give them a crisp exterior.
Substitutions
Seasonings
If you don't have some of the seasonings on hand to make the coating, you can use any of these 10 Southern seasonings for the flour mixture.
Vegetable oil
As an alternative to canola oil, you could use vegetable oil as it has a high smoke point that will give your chops a lovely golden color and crispy exterior.
🔪 How to make
Making fried pork chops is a simple and easy task that anyone can do! This recipe comes together in no time with no complicated steps or messy clean-up. All you need to do is combine the ingredients for the coating, then dip the pork chops into it before frying until they're golden brown and crispy.
Preparations
Step 1
Pat and dry the pork chops with paper towels, then rub both sides with seasoned salt and pepper.
Step 2
Mix the buttermilk and hot sauce in a large bowl, cover the pork chops with the mixture, and let them soak for about an hour to tenderize them.
Step 3
Combine the flour-coating ingredients in a shallow bowl or dish.
Step 4
Heat a large cast-iron skillet or deep frying pan over medium heat half filled with oil.
Cooking instructions
Step 1
Place pork chops in the seasoned flour, making sure to coat each piece thoroughly.
Step 2
Then carefully drop 1 or 2 pork chops into the hot oil, cooking for 5 minutes either side. Continue to fry the remaining pork chops.
Tip: Once they are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit, they are ready. Place cooked pork chops on a wire rack to drain the excess oil or a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 3
Let the fried pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with lemon wedges, hot sauce, and bread.
💭 Cooking tips
Use a meat thermometer!
The best way to ensure your fried pork chops are cooked perfectly and juicy is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the cooked chops, and once the temperature reaches 145, they are ready.
Letting them rest after frying
Before frying, allow the chops to sit out at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This helps them to cook more evenly.
After frying, you want to let the chops rest on a wire rack or plate lined with paper towel. This helps any excess oil drain off and keeps them from getting soggy.
Hot oil
Keeping an eye on the temperature of your oil is key. If it’s too hot, you will burn the crust, and if it’s not hot enough, it won’t get crispy enough. The ideal temperature for frying pork chops is 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius).
Do not overcrowd the chops in the oil!
Cooking all of the pork chops at once will lower the temperature of the oil and cause them to absorb too much oil. Fry only 1 or 2 pork chops at a time for best results.
📖 Recipe Variations
If you're looking to put your own spin on classic fried pork chops, there are plenty of variations you can try out! Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Spiced jalapeno fried pork chops
For an extra spicy coating, finely dice 1 or 2 jalapenos and mix them into the flour and seasonings with 1 teaspoon of chili powder.
Smokey fried pork chops
Add 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika and ½ teaspoon of onion powder for a smokier flavor.
Parmesan crust fried pork chops
For extra cheesy goodness, mix ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese into the flour mixture before coating the pork chops.
🥗 What to serve with
When it comes to serving fried pork chops, there are a few classic sides that go great with it. Here are some of our favorite side dishes that always bring the meal together.
Potatoes
Mashed potatoes: The ultimate comfort food, mashed potatoes with sour cream are a great side to go with your fried pork chops.
Roasted potatoes: For a crunchy and flavorful side, try roasted potatoes with rosemary and garlic.
Potato salad: A creamy potato salad is a great way to add some freshness and crunch to your plate.
Vegetables
Green beans: Green beans are a classic side to pair with fried pork chops. Try sauteing them in butter, garlic, and bacon for extra flavor or making a deliciously creamy green bean casserole.
Fried cabbage: For a tasty and easy side dish, try this 20-minute Southern-style fried cabbage with bacon recipe.
Bread
Cornbread: Cornbread is the perfect accompaniment for a plate of fried pork chops. Try this classic Southern-style jalapeno cheddar cornbread recipe for some spicy deliciousness.
Biscuits: If you're looking for something a bit fluffier, serve your fried pork chops with some homemade buttermilk biscuits or make this easy biscuits and gravy recipe to complete the meal.
For more side dishes to go with your fried pork chops, check out this list of side dishes for fried chicken.
🙋 Frequently asked questions
How do you fry pork chops without them getting tough?
The best way to prevent tough pork chops is to use a meat thermometer so that you don't overcook them. If using boneless chops, make sure to tenderize them with a meat mallet.
Is it necessary to soak pork chops?
Soaking the pork chops in buttermilk or some other acidic marinade helps break down the proteins and make them more tender. This is especially important if you're using thicker chops.
Can I make this recipe without deep frying?
Yes, you can use an air fryer to cook the pork chops to a crisp or use an oven preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Air fry them for 6-8 minutes or bake them in a baking dish with a rack for 18-20 minutes.
🧊 Storing and ♨️ reheating
If you have any leftover fried pork chops from dinner, you can store and reheat them to the same crispy texture.
Fridge - Place the leftover pork chops in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezer - To freeze leftover pork chops, wrap each pork chop in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
Reheating - When you're ready to reheat the pork chops, simply place them on a baking sheet and bake them in a preheated oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) for 8-10 minutes.
For a crunchier texture, you can also heat the pork chops in a skillet over medium-high heat with 2 tablespoons of oil for 2 minutes per side until hot in the middle.
🍳 Related recipes
If you're looking for more Southern-style recipes, check out our collection of 45 best Southern comfort food recipes.
And if Sunday dinner is what you crave, take a look at our 30 best Sunday dinner soul food recipes. Each dish is sure to make your mouth water and leave you wanting more!
And for a taste of delicious comforting dinner I recommend you to try my easy baked pork chops and rice recipe!
👪 Serving size
This fried pork chop recipe yields 5 servings, with each serving consisting of 1 perfect pork chop.
Fried pork chops are a classic Southern dish that everyone will enjoy. With the right ingredients and techniques, you can make perfect fried pork chops every time. Serve them with some of our favorite sides for a complete meal your family will love!
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Try one of my comfort dinner recipes for your next family meal! And if you have any questions, I'm here to help!
📋 Recipe
Fried Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 1 pound Pork chops
- 2 cups Buttermilk
- 2 teaspoon Hot sauce
- 1¼ tablespoon Self rising flour
- 1 tablespoon Seasoned salt - plus 1 teaspoon to taste
- 1½ teaspoon Black pepper - to taste
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder - ground
- ½ teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- 2 cups Canola oil
Instructions
Preparations
- Pat and dry the pork chops with paper towels, then rub both sides with seasoned salt and pepper.
- Mix the buttermilk and hot sauce in a large bowl, cover the pork chops with the mixture, and let them soak for about an hour to tenderize them.
- Combine the flour-coating ingredients in a shallow bowl or dish.
Cooking instructions
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet or deep frying pan over medium heat half filled with oil.
- Place pork chops in the seasoned flour, making sure to coat each piece thoroughly, then carefully drop 1 or 2 pork chops into the hot oil, cooking for 5 minutes either side. Continue to fry the remaining pork chops.
- Once they are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit, they are ready.
- Place cooked pork chops on a wire rack to drain the excess oil or a paper towel-lined plate.
- Let the fried pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve with lemon wedges, hot sauce, and cornbread.
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