Classic Southern Smothered Pork Chops

Written by
John Mitzewich
John Mitzewich is a food writer, recipe video producer, and culinary school instructor with more than 20 years of experience in the food industry.
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John Mitzewich
Updated 01/05/21
Smothered pork chop recipe

​The Spruce
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 55 mins
Total: 65 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yields: 4 chops
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
597 Calories
35g Fat
7g Carbs
60g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 597
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 35g 45%
Saturated Fat 10g 52%
Cholesterol 201mg 67%
Sodium 690mg 30%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 3%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 60g
Vitamin C 2mg 12%
Calcium 93mg 7%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 891mg 19%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Smothered pork chops are a Southern comfort classic featuring pan-fried pork chops covered in simple, creamy, and savory onion gravy. Easy to make, it requires less than an hour to serve this filling and flavorful meal.

Pork chops come from the loin of the pig, which can be roasted whole or cut into chops or cutlets. The best pork chops come from the center cut; ask your butcher to cut the chops from 1 to 1.5 inches in thickness. If the chops you have are thicker than this, use the flat side of a meat tenderizer to thin them out. Bone-in chops have the best flavor, so buy those if available.

This juicy recipe is great over white rice, mashed potatoes, or cauliflower mash to soak up the delicious sauce. Check our suggestions below on how to serve the chops with other side dishes.

1:42

Click Play to See This Perfectly Smothered Pork Chop Recipe Come Together

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds pork chops (4 chops, bone-in, about 1 1/2 inches thick)

  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 1 tablespoon butter

  • 1 large yellow onion (sliced)

  • 1 pinch salt

  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 garlic cloves)

  • 1 tablespoon flour (heaping)

  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth

  • 1/4 cup buttermilk

  • 1/4 cup water

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for smothered pork chops
    ​The Spruce

  2. Season pork chops on both sides with the poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper.

    Seasoned pork chops
    ​The Spruce 

  3. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, brown the pork chops well, about 5 minutes per side. A good sear helps to keep the moisture inside and the chops tender and juicy; don't cover the pan when searing as it will make the chops sweat and soggy.

    Heat oil in large frying pan
    ​The Spruce

  4. Remove from the pan and reserve on a plate.

    Place cooked pork chops on a serving plate
    ​The Spruce

  5. Pour off the excess oil and place the pan back on the stove over medium heat. Add the butter and the onion, along with a big pinch of salt.

    Onions in pan
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  6. Sauté for about 10 minutes, or until the onions are well browned. The onions need to caramelize for the best results.

    Cooking until onions are browned
    ​The Spruce

  7. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

    Stir in garlic
    ​The Spruce

  8. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes.

    Stir in flour
    ​The Spruce

  9. Add the chicken broth, buttermilk, and water. As the mixture comes to a simmer, use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

    Add chicken broth
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  10. Turn the heat to low and let the onion gravy gently simmer for 15 minutes. Add a splash of water if it seems to be getting too thick.​

    Turn heat to low
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  11. Add the pork chops and any juices back into the pan and coat with the gravy. Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the pork is done. Remember that the internal temperature must reach at least 145 F for a safe level of doneness. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed.

    Add pork chops and coat with gravy
    ​The Spruce

  12. Serve pork chops over white rice and topped with the onion gravy.

    Serve over white rice
    ​The Spruce

  13. Enjoy.

Serving Suggestions

Smothered pork chops with onion gravy over rice is hearty comfort food that doesn't need much in the way of sides. Nonetheless, here are a few side dish ideas that complement the savory flavors of the dish:

  • Bread: Cornbread and corn muffins are always tasty partners with anything that features pork. Substitute with French or sourdough bread for a milder flavor, or make garlic bread for a pungent punch.
  • Veggies: Serve with cooked green vegetables or legumes like broccoli, mustard greens, peas, green beans, or lima beans. Or make a salad dressed in a citrusy vinaigrette.
  • Pasta: Try our creamy baked macaroni and cheese, or serve with a simple spaghetti aglio e olio.
  • Rice: This delicious mushroom risotto beautifully enhances the onion flavor in the gravy.
  • Wine: Try pinot noir or shiraz for a satisfying pairing.

Tips

To minimize the risk of the buttermilk separating, add it later. Add the chicken broth the the onion and flour mixture and cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, until thickened and reduced. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the water and buttermilk and then add the pork chops and continue cooking for 10 to 15 minutes as directed.


Mushroom Gravy

This delicious variation is easy to make:

  • Simply add 2 cups of sliced mushrooms (baby bella, white, portobello, cremini) at the same time as you add the onions to the pan. Let the onions caramelize and the mushrooms brown. Add a splash of sherry before proceeding with the next steps.

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