Cast Iron Pork Chops
These simple cast iron pork chops are cooked to perfection in a cast iron pan. Make sure you get good quality pork chops - otherwise you only need a handful of ingredients to create restaurant-quality pork chops.
Ingredients
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4 (3/4 to 1-inch thick) bone-in pork chops (6 to 8 ounces each)
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1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
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2 tablespoons vegetable oil
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1 tablespoon butter
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2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
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4 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus chopped fresh rosemary for garnish
Direction
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Gather all ingredients. Take chops out of the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
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If there is a fat cap on the sides of the chops, make a few vertical slits through them, so the chops will not curl as they cook.
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Blot chops dry with paper towels, and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
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Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for 3 minutes. Add oil. Add chops and cook 2 minutes. Turn and cook 2 minutes more.
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Add butter and garlic to the skillet.
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Place rosemary sprigs atop each chop. Tilt skillet to allow melted butter and oil to pool on one side.
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Spoon butter and garlic mixture over chops occasionally while cooking 2 minutes. Remove rosemary, turn chops, replace rosemary and cook, basting chops occasionally, cooking 2 to 3 minutes more or until chops are 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) in the center when tested with an instant-read thermometer.
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Remove chops from skillet and place on a cutting board or serving platter.
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Tent with foil and let stand 5 minutes before serving. Temperature will rise to 145 degrees F (62 degrees C) upon standing.
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Garnish with chopped rosemary.
