Best 3 Cook Ahead Pork Chops Recipes

Busy weeknights call for quick and easy meals that don't compromise on flavor. Pork chops are an excellent choice for busy individuals as they are versatile and can be cooked in various ways, including ahead of time. By preparing pork chops in advance, you can save valuable time and energy while still enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal. This article offers a collection of mouthwatering recipes for cook-ahead pork chops, each providing unique flavors and cooking methods to suit different preferences. From succulent slow-cooker pork chops to crispy oven-baked options, these recipes will guide you in creating flavorful meals that can be conveniently prepared in advance, ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable dining experience.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

MAKE-AHEAD MEDITERRANEAN PORK CHOPS

Make-Ahead Mediterranean Pork Chops image

This delicious pork chop recipe is designed for you to enjoy the meal now AND later. Simply freeze half of your prepared chops and you'll have a mouthwatering meal at the ready.

Provided by Sammy Mila

Time 1h40m

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

0.25 cup olive oil
3 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano and/or rosemary
2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoon onion powder
0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 bone-in pork loin chops, cut 1/2 inch thick (3 to 4 lb.) and trimmed
1 16 ounce pkg. dried orzo pasta
6 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cup chopped red bell peppers
2 cup pitted green olives, halved
2 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup crumbled feta cheese (4 oz.)
Chopped fresh Italian parsley (optional)

Steps:

For marinade, in an extra-large bowl whisk together first eight ingredients (through black pepper). Add chops, spooning marinade over chops to coat. Cover and marinate in refrigerator 1 hour.
In a deep 12-inch nonstick skillet cook chops, half at a time, over medium-high heat 8 minutes or until a thermometer registers 145°F, turning once. Remove from skillet; cover and keep warm.
Add orzo to same skillet. Cook and stir 1 minute, scraping up crusty browned bits. Slowly add broth, scraping up any remaining bits. Stir in bell peppers and olives. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, 7 minutes. Simmer, uncovered, 2 minutes more or until orzo is nearly tender and liquid is absorbed. Stir in tomatoes.
Transfer half of the orzo mixture to an airtight container. Top with four of the chops; cool slightly. Store in freezer up to 2 months.
Serve remaining orzo mixture topped with chops and 1/2 cup feta cheese. If desired, sprinkle with parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 548 kcal, Carbohydrate 52 g, Cholesterol 79 mg, Protein 35 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 1197 mg, Sugar 6 g, Fat 22 g, ServingSize 8 chops + 9 cups orzo mixture, UnsaturatedFat 14 g

COOK-AHEAD PORK CHOPS

Cook-Ahead Pork Chops image

"I found the recipe for these moist make-ahead pork chops in a magazine years ago and adapted a couple of our favorite recipes to work with them," writes Marge Anderson of Fergus Falls, Minnesota. It's handy to have them in the freezer for the quick dinners she shares here.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 2

Ingredients

4 bone-in loin pork chops (1 to 1-1/4 inches thick and 8 ounces each)
3/4 cup chicken broth

Steps:

Place pork chops in an ungreased 9-in. square baking pan. Pour chicken broth over chops. Cover and bake at 350° for 45-55 minutes or until a thermometer reaches 160°. Cool. , Wrap in heavy-duty foil or place in freezer bags; freeze for up to 4 months.

Nutrition Facts :

COOK-AHEAD PORK CHOPS

Cook-Ahead Pork Chops image

'I found the recipe for these moist make-ahead pork chops in a magazine years ago and adapted a couple of our favorite recipes to work with them,' writes Marge Anderson of Fergus Falls, Minnesota. It's handy to have them in the freezer for the quick dinners she shares here.

Provided by Allrecipes Member

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 2

Ingredients

4 raw chop with refuse, 113 g; (blank) 4 ounces pork loin chops (1 to 1 1/4-inch thick)
¾ cup chicken broth

Steps:

Place pork chops in an ungreased 9-in. square baking pan. Pour chicken broth over chops. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 45-55 minutes or until meat juices run clear. Cool. Wrap in heavy-duty foil or place in freezer bags; freeze for up to 4 months.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 121.5 calories, Carbohydrate 0.2 g, Cholesterol 62.5 mg, Fat 3.3 g, Fiber 0 g, Protein 21.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.1 g, Sodium 263.8 mg, Sugar 0.2 g

Tips

When selecting pork chops, look for ones that are at least 1 inch thick. This will help them stay moist during cooking.
You can use any type of pork chops for this recipe, but bone-in chops will have more flavor. If you are using boneless chops, you may need to adjust the cooking time.
To make sure the pork chops are cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check that they have reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you are cooking the pork chops in the oven, you can add a little bit of water or broth to the bottom of the pan to help keep them moist.
You can also cook the pork chops on the grill. Just be sure to preheat the grill to medium-high heat and cook the chops for about 5 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through.

Conclusion

Pork chops are a versatile and delicious cut of meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways. This recipe for cook-ahead pork chops is a great way to save time during the week. Simply cook the pork chops on the weekend and then reheat them during the week for a quick and easy meal. You can serve the pork chops with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, rice, or vegetables.