Chef John's Smothered Pork Chops

Smothered pork chops are a delicious combo of tender pan-fried pork chops covered in a rich onion gravy; serve with mash for a satisfying Southern-style meal.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 55 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 370 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 large yellow onion, sliced
• 4 large bone-in pork chops, about 1 inch thick
• 0.25 cup water
• 0.25 cup buttermilk
• 1.5 cups chicken broth
• 1.5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Gather all ingredients.

Step 2

Sprinkle pork chops with poultry seasoning, salt, and black pepper on both sides.

Step 3

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add pork chops and brown well on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

Step 4

Discard excess grease from the pan and melt butter in the same skillet. Reduce heat to medium; stir in onion with a pinch of salt and cook until onion is very browned and caramelized, about 15 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes.

Step 6

Pour chicken broth into the skillet and stir, dissolving browned bits of food in the bottom of the skillet.

Step 7

Pour juices that have accumulated on the plate containing pork chops into the sauce.

Step 8

Mix in buttermilk until smooth.

Step 9

Add water. Bring sauce to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook until onions begin to break down and sauce is thickened, 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 10

Place pork chops into sauce, spooning sauce over meat to coat.

Step 11

Turn heat to low and simmer until chops are tender and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Adjust levels of salt and pepper and serve chops with gravy on top.