BBQ Pork Chops are going to be your new favorite weeknight dinner. Made with my homemade BBQ sauce, this delicious recipe only takes 25 minutes to make!
As you may know, quick stove top meals are kind of my jam. I love easy dinners that come together with minimal dishes to wash, and these BBQ Pork Chops absolutely fit the bill.
We start this fantastic skillet dinner with an easy rub that helps to season the meat. Then we layer in my delicious BBQ Sauce – a highly rated, five star sauce. All of this comes together in just 25 minutes for a filling dinner that you can come back to over and over again.
How to Make BBQ Pork Chops
Here is a brief overview of how to make pan-seared pork chops with bbq sauce. For the full recipe including all measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Make pork rub. Combine the brown sugar, paprika, kosher salt, cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl.
- Season the pork chops. Pat the chops very dry with a paper towel and rub liberally with the spice mixture.
- Sear the pork chops. Heat the oil in a large skillet and, when smoking, add the prepared pork chops. Cook for four minutes on each side.
- Add BBQ sauce. Brush the pork chops with bbq sauce, flip, and cook for about one minute so that the bbq sauce can caramelize.
- Finish cooking the pork chops. Brush the pork chops with bbq sauce and flip again, cooking for one more minute or until the chops register 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Using a Dry Rub on Meat
I love using dry rubs on meat. It is like using paint on a blank canvas, there is so much you can do. In this recipe, we aren’t letting the meat sit. The reason for this is so that we can keep this a quick and easy dinner.
But letting a dry rub on meat works a lot like a marinade. It helps breakdown just that outer layer of the meat and let those delicious flavors get in there. It is what we do in my Crockpot Ribs to really enhance their flavor. If you have the extra time, you might want to give these pork chops a good rub down with the seasonings the night before you make them.
Pan Searing Pork Chops
The pork chops are first pan-seared, which creates a nice brown crust on the outside and deepens the flavor. They finish cooking in the sauce with the other ingredients, which keeps them tender and juicy. To ensure they are fully cooked, I recommend using an instant read thermometer. See more on this and my recommendation below.
BBQ Sauce
My homemade BBQ Sauce is legit. It has so many great reviews, and is always my preference over store bought sauces. It comes together with ingredients you likely already have on hand. Additionally, this BBQ sauce recipe only takes 20 minutes to make. You can easily make it a few days before it is time to make these great pork chops.
If you are tight on time, you can absolutely use store-bought sauce. My philosophy is always that time around the table with those you love is more important than what you put on it. So if using store-bought sauce is what you need to do to make this dinner happen, do it!
BBQ Sauce Recipe
Using Bone-In Pork Chops
This recipe uses bone-in pork chops. The bone helps keep the meat really tender and juicy. The cooking times you see here are based on bone-in pork chops that are about one inch thick. For other bone-in pork chop recipes, check out my Stuffed Pork Chops.
This recipe will also work with boneless pork chops, but the cooking time will be shorter. It is essential that you do not over-cook pork. It is done at 145 degrees Fahrenheit, regardless of the color when you cut into it. If you are switching to boneless pork chops, it is essential that you use an instant read thermometer.
Instant Read Thermometer
Pork Chop Temp
Pork chops need to be cooked to 145 degrees Fahrenheit for food safety purposes. When cooked to that temperature, they are juicy and delicious. When overcooked, pork chops become white and very dry, which is often why people say they don’t like pork. It is important to note that the doneness of pork should only be based on temperature, and never the color. Pork can be pink and still done.
I highly recommend using an instant read thermometer in any meat recipe, including this one. It allows you to end the cooking process at the exact right temperature. You can see my recommendation for an instant read thermometer above. As soon as the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit at their thickest point, remove them from heat.
Pro Tip
Did you know that pork can be fully cooked and still appear pink? It’s true! As long as pork reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the meat, it can still appear pink at some points. You can see this in action in my amazing Bone-In Pork Loin Roast. (Please note that this temperature applies to cuts of pork. If you are using ground pork, you should cook it to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.)
Storing and Reheating
Store your pork chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat leftovers over low heat on the stovetop with a little more BBQ sauce. Always use your best discretion with leftovers.
FAQ
Cuts of pork are done at 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Ground pork is done at 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Yes! Fully cooked pork (done at 145 degrees Fahrenheit) can still appear pink when you cut into it and be fully safe to eat. Read more about this from the FDA here.
Of course! My homemade recipe is my preference, but do what works best for you and your family.
Yes, but they will cook faster. You will definitely want to use an instant read thermometer so that they don’t over cook.
What Goes with Pork Chops
These bbq pork chops can be paired with many different sides. Here are a few ideas:
If you try these bbq pork chops or any of my other recipes, please leave a comment telling me what you think. I love hearing from you!
BBQ Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar packed
- 1/2 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4 bone-in pork chops about 1 inch thick (read here about why we use bone-in pork chops)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup bbq sauce
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine the brown sugar, paprika, kosher salt, cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/2 tablespoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Pat the pork chops very dry. Rub liberally with the spice mixture.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When smoking, add the prepared pork chops, cooking for 4 minutes on each side.2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Lower the heat to medium-low. Brush the pork chops with bbq sauce, flip, and cook for about 1 minute so that the bbq sauce can caramelize. Brush the pork chops with bbq sauce and flip again, cooking for 1 more minute or until the chops register 145 degrees Fahrenheit with an instant-read thermometer.1 cup bbq sauce
Herb Bickle says
Just because you put BBQ Sauce on something does not mean it’s BBQ’d.
To have something that is BBQ’d you have to use a BBQ.
Counterargument: You CAN put BBQ sauce on something and call it BBQ. Just ask my BBQ Chicken Nachos.