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Your New Favourite Pork Chops

This recipe for pan-seared pork chops transforms a simple cut of meat into a restaurant-quality meal using a classic butter-basting technique. By frequently turning the chops in a hot frying pan, you achieve a beautifully even, golden-brown crust while keeping the centre succulent and tender. The addition of fresh sage and smashed garlic creates a fragrant infused butter that coats the meat in a rich, savoury glaze, making this an excellent choice for a nutritious, high-protein dinner.

Perfect for an easy midweek treat or a weekend supper, these bone-in chops are best served alongside seasonal greens or buttery mashed potatoes. Allowing the meat to rest is the secret to a juicy finish, ensuring the flavours of the herbs and garlic are fully absorbed. This straightforward method is a reliable way to cook pork to perfection every time, providing a sophisticated meal with minimal preparation.

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Ingredients for Your New Favourite Pork Chops

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • 2- 1 1/2"-thick bone-in pork rib chops (8–275g each)

  • Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

  • freshly ground pepper

  • 8 sprigs sage

  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled, smashed

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Heat oil in a large skillet over mediumhigh. Season pork chops all over (including the fat cap) with salt and pepper. Cook pork chops until bottom side is golden brown, about 1 minute. Turn and cook on other side about 1 minute before turning again. Repeat this process, turning about every minute, until chops are deep golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 135°, 8–10 minutes (cooking time will depend on thickness of chops).

Remove pan from heat and add sage, garlic, and butter, smashing garlic into butter. Tilt skillet and spoon foaming butter and drippings over pork chops, making sure to baste the fat cap as well as the rib. Transfer pork chops to a cutting board and let rest at least 5 minutes (pork will come to 145° as it sits).

Cut away bone and slice pork about 1/4" thick. Serve with any juices from the cutting board spooned over top.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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