Chicken, beef, and even fish seem to be all the rage when it comes to meal prep. But what about pork?
Pork is a great source of protein. The various cuts offer a variety of flavors to add to your favorite pork meal preparations. So get ready to serve bacon, sausage, ham, pork chops, and pork tenderloin.
Not only will you find healthy pork recipes for your favorite pork but also a variety of ways to cook them. So there’s sure to be a pork recipe to suit your taste and cooking style. Pork is great in the skillet, on the grill, and in the skillet.
So if you’re looking for the sweet, smoky and salty flavors of pork in a healthy meal, look no further!
We’ll walk you through Tips on How to Prepare Top Pork Chops Recipe Then we’ll give you our recipe to get you started on an outstanding pork chop meal.
Tips for Cooking the Perfect Pork Chops for Meal Prep
Pork chops are relatively lean cuts of meat. They’re high in beneficial vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, selenium, and vitamins B1 (thiamin), B3 (niacin), B6, and B12.Here are some tips to add to your ground pork prep recipes
- Season before cooking.
Enhance the flavor of meat with salt, pepper, and other seasonings before cooking. Wait until the meat is cooked before adding seasoning, it is better to add seasoning first to bring out the flavor.
- Marinate in brine before cooking.
Marinating pork chops helps them stay juicy and flavorful while cooking. To make brine, dissolve 1/4 cup of salt in 4 cups of water, then add desired seasonings. Soak pork chops in brine for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours) before cooking.
- Serve out before cooking.
Cooking frozen ribs often results in overcooked parts of the ribs. For even cooking, remove pork chops from refrigerator at least 30 minutes to up to 2 hours before cooking to allow time to rest and come to room temperature. After letting it sit for a while, blot excess liquid from the meat with paper towels.
- Choose the correct cut.
There are several different types of pork chops. When choosing a specific cut, look up which pork chops are best for your pork chop recipes. You can always ask the butcher at the meat counter for guidance. In general, look for pork chops that are about 1 inch thick and have plenty of marbling, which keeps the meat juicy and tender. Avoid chops that are too thin, as they dry out easily.
- Use a thermometer.
Overcooking can result in tough meat, while undercooking can make a person sick. It’s best to use an instant-read thermometer when cooking pork chops to avoid both of these situations. They are fairly cheap and easy to buy online. When the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees, remove the pork chops from the heat.
- Use a pan and oven.
While many different cooking methods will allow you to make delicious pork chops, we recommend using a skillet or griddle and oven combination. Heat a large skillet or griddle over high heat until hot. Add a little olive oil or regular cooking oil to the pan. When the oil is hot, add the pork chops. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry the pork chops for about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Flip the chops only once to keep them from drying out. For thicker pork chops, transfer them to a preheated oven (400°F/200°C) and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) for safe tender Smooth pork chops.
- Store separately and freeze.
If you are preparing pork chops in batches to use over the next few weeks, wrap the seasoned pork chops individually. These ribs come without a sauce, but with seasonings like spice rub or ranch dressing. For pork chops with sauce, use the smallest meal prep container possible to tightly pack the pork chops and sauce.
With these tips, you’ll be sure to have tender, juicy ribs that you can enjoy during meal prep this week or pull out of the freezer for weeks to come.
Grab your favorite pork chops recipe and follow the cooking instructions. Pork chops cook well in the oven, air fryer, skillet, slow cooker, and grill.
Make sure the pork is rested and cooled before transferring it to a meal prep container.
Then store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or in the freezer for about 3 months.
Best Side Dishes to Prepare Meals with Pork Chops
Many delicious side dishes go well with pork chops. Here are some ideas:
- Roasted vegetables: Roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes complement the sweetness of the pork chops.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes pair perfectly with the umami of the pork chops.
- Sauteed Spinach: Sauteed fresh spinach in garlic and olive oil is a light and flavorful side dish.
- Applesauce: The sweetness of applesauce is a classic pairing.
- Rice Pilaf: Savory rice pilaf with herbs, spices and vegetables is a great way to add variety to your meal.
- Green Beans: Lightly blanched green beans with garlic and lemon provide a nice and fresh contrast to the richness of the pork chops.
- Coleslaw: Crunchy and tangy, coleslaw is a great way to add texture and freshness to your meal.
- Baked Beans: Sweet and savory baked beans pair perfectly with the smokiness of the pork chops.
Ultimately, the best side dish to serve with pork chops comes down to personal taste. Experiment with different flavors and textures to find what works best for your pork chops.
top 5 Pork Meal Prep Recipe on this planet
Once you’ve mastered the perfect pork chop using the tips above, it’s time to spice up your weekly menu with some delicious pork recipes. You can also use pork instead of chicken in recipes you’re already familiar with. Pork is not only delicious, but also quite affordable. So the next time you find yourself checking out pork for sale at the grocery store, go for it. Pork may be your new go-to protein source.
If you’re looking for a super easy dinner recipe, start with one of these ground pork prep recipes:
BBQ Pork Tenderloin and Salad Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Looking for an easy recipe that gives you a variety of meal prep options? Popping pork tenderloin in a preheated oven takes just a few minutes, keeping your prep time to a minimum. Not only does it go well with salads and sweet potatoes, but you can double the pork recipe and serve it with brown rice and vegetables.
Crispy Pork Rice
This is the perfect recipe for batch cooking lunches for the week. Nutritious and delicious, this pork and rice dish is easy to portion into individual storage containers for on-the-go. Mix the recipe with your favorite veggies.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork – Carnitas
Planning slow cooker meals ahead of time is the exact opposite of your busy schedule. But imagine being able to pull juicy pork carnitas out of the freezer on a crazy work night! This pulled pork freezes wonderfully. Make a big batch of pork on Sunday and get it ready for months in the freezer. Freeze it in meal-size bags for easy weekend options. If you’re short on carnitas ingredients, add a bag of meat to a bowl of rice, then use whatever beans and veggies you have on hand to make a delicious burrito bowl.
Air Fried Bacon Brussels Sprouts
If you don’t have an air fryer, this recipe also works great in the oven. Crisp-tender Brussels sprouts pair perfectly with salty-sweet bacon. If you’re eating the same vegetables every night, it’s time to mix things up with this easy recipe.
Bacon, Jalapeño and Garlic Green Beans
Spice up your day with these delicious green beans. If you’ve ever thought about ditching green beans because they lack flavor, this recipe isn’t! The combination of bacon and jalapeños will have your mouth watering and you’ll forget you’re eating veggies.
Check out Fit Men Cook for more recipes and meal prep ideas.
