The Best Smothered Pork Chops

Growing up in Iowa, pork chops were a regular on our menus. My Dad was so good at cooking them, whether he was making grilled pork chops in the summer or pan-fried pork chops in the winter. I brought my love of pork chops with me to The Real Food Dietitians and have used them to create a favorite fall sheet pan pork chops recipe and this never-fail pork chop marinade. 

But I’ve never been so excited to share a pork chop recipe with you until I knew I nailed it with this Southern-style smothered pork chops recipe. I tested it several times until I created a simple recipe for tender pork chops smothered in a dairy-free onion gravy that I was so happy with. And I knew I was onto something good when my husband and kids cheered in delight every time they saw it cooking on the stovetop.  

This recipe was created in partnership with the Minnesota Pork Board.

Health Benefits

The smothered pork chops are definitely the star of the show. They’re also the nutrition highlight. Did you know that pork cuts with the word “loin” or “chop” in the name are low in total and saturated fat and high in protein? Pork is also: 

• an excellent source of protein. One 4-ounce pork chop provides 32 grams of protein, which is an important macronutrient you need for tissue and muscle growth and maintenance, as well as forming antibodies that fight off infection.
• a great source of B vitamins, including thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. These are important vitamins for the proper functioning of cells and metabolism, converting food into energy. 
• full of important minerals, including zinc (important for DNA production and immunity) and iron (a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to your body’s tissues).
• naturally low in sodium and a good source of potassium, two nutrients that, together, can help regulate blood pressure.
• an affordable addition to any healthy meal plan, providing high-quality protein without breaking the budget.

Prepare These Ingredients

This recipe requires just a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you need: 

• Dry spices: garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and ground sage
• Pork chops: you can use bone-in or boneless pork chops, each about ¾- to 1-inch thick or 1 ½ to 2 lbs total 
• Cooking oil: we suggest avocado oil or olive oil
• Onion: use a sweet yellow onion
• Chicken broth: I use low-sodium chicken broth or use homemade bone broth
• All-purpose flour: you can use regular unbleached white flour or make this recipe gluten free by using a 1:1 gluten-free flour

Find the ingredient list with exact measurements in the recipe card below.

Equipment You’ll Need

You really don’t need much, and you definitely don’t need any special equipment to make this stovetop recipe. It’s helpful to have: 

• a nice, heavy large skillet – such as an enamel-coated cast iron skillet
• a good wooden stirring spoon – I like this one with a flat edge for stirring up all those tasty browned bits from the pork chops
• 2 large plates – one for holding the pork chops while you finish the gravy in the skillet, and another for inverting a placing on top to keep the pork chops warm
• a meat thermometer – this is helpful for knowing when the pork chops are cooked through, and if you don’t have a good one, it’s worth investing in a reliable digital meat thermometer

How To Make Smothered Pork Chops

This recipe requires just 20 minutes of prep time and about 25 minutes of cooking time. It allows just enough time to make a batch of Instant Pot mashed potatoes at the same time. 

1. Combine the dry spices: In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, onion powder, half the salt, and the pepper. Dredge and pat both sides of the pork chops generously with all of the seasoning mixture. 
2. Cook the pork chops: Sear the pork chops in hot oil in a heavy skillet until golden brown on both sides, 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the pork chops to a plate and keep warm. 
3. Make the onion gravy sauce: Add the remaining oil to the skillet and swirl it around. Then, add a little broth to the skillet to deglaze it by stirring up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the sliced onion and saute until browned. 
4. Thicken the gravy:  When the onions are softened, sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir until there is no more white flour showing. Add the remaining broth to the skillet and stir to deglaze again. Add the ground sage and the remaining salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer until thickened, which takes about 1 minute. 
5. Smother the chops: Return the pork chops to the skillet, tucking them into the creamy gravy and spooning the onions over top. Continue to cook until the thickest part of the pork chops register at 145 on a meat thermometer.

For serving size and the complete directions and ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card below. All of our recipes include the nutrition analysis, listing calories (kcals), protein, carbohydrates/carb, fiber, sugar, sodium, cholesterol, and more per serving.

Make It Gluten Free

You can easily make this recipe gluten-free when you substitute a gluten-free flour to thicken the onion gravy, such as a Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Also, if you’re serving someone with celiac, be sure to check that the chicken stock you’re using is gluten free. Most of them are, but some broths have gluten additives in them.

Sides The Pair Well With Pork Chops

This is an entree dish and it pairs well with a variety of fresh or roasted comfort food sides. I love to serve it with mashed potatoes so I can spoon some of the delicious gravy from the pork chops over top, which is how we show it in these recipe photos. I also love to pair with a glass of my favorite sustainably sourced wines and a simple roasted veggie, such as roasted broccolini, green beans, roasted radishes, root vegetable fries, or air fryer Brussels sprouts. 

Some other recipes that pair well are: 

• Crispy Smashed Potatoes
• Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
• Honey Roasted Root Vegetables
• Homemade Cornbread Muffins
• Instant Pot White Rice or Brown Rice 
• Paprika Rubbed Delicata Squash

Video: Making Smothered Pork Chops

How To Store

If you have any leftovers, you can store the cooked pork chops and gravy together in any airtight containers. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days or freeze leftovers (with as much air removed from the freezer-safe container or bag as possible) for up to 3 months.  To reheat, gently warm the pork chops and gravy in a small saucepan on the stovetop over medium-low with a few tablespoons of water until the pork is heated through. 

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The photos in this blog post were taken by Rachel Cook of Half Acre House.

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