This is one of those dishes that has such an amazing “wow” factor. Yet, it’s so easy to make!
If Wesley (The Loon) had to pick his favorite dish from the blog, this recipe would be in serious contention. And folks, when you take that first bite, you’ll understand what he means. Perfect served over a bed of Best Mashed Potatoes! If you and your family love pork chops, you are in for a treat.
This dish hits all the right notes. And what’s so amazing about it is that it can be prepared in about 30 to 40 minutes.
The sauce is deeply flavorful and the perfect complement to the juicy chops.
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The Ingredients You Will Need
Choosing the right pork chop is important, but, honestly, as long as you get good-quality pork, you can’t go wrong.
Here’s What You’ll Need To Have On Hand
Pork chops – We recommend center cut, bone-in for the best flavor. 1 to 2 inches thick is fantastic.
Oil – Olive oil for searing
Seasonings – Salt and pepper is all you need for the chops.
Shallots – You can substitute regular chopped yellow onion, but shallots are a little sweeter and perfect for the sauce.
Garlic – Freshly minced.
Vinegar – Sherry is our favorite, but white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, or even apple cider vinegar will work just fine.
Dijon mustard – Just plain Dijon is wonderful. For a more pronounced mustard taste, go with grain mustard.
Stock – Chicken stock or broth is perfect.
Heavy cream – Don’t skip this. It adds a luxuriousness to the sauce that is amazing.
EXPERT TIP: If you’ve got extra-thick chops, you’ll want to sear them for about 8 minutes per side, until golden, and then transfer to a 325°F oven. An instant-read thermometer ensures you get the ideal internal temperature of 135°F.
Tips for Making Perfect Seared Pork Chops with Caper Sauce
This recipe is really foolproof, but there are a few good “rule of thumb” steps to keep in mind:
Choose Good Chops – Choose thick-cut, bone-in pork chops for the best flavor and juiciness. In this case, go with a nice thick cut (you may need to visit your butcher).
Season Generously – Add plenty of salt and pepper before searing them in a hot skillet oil to create a crispy crust.
Let Them Rest – Allow the pork chops to rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute, and then spoon the caper sauce over the top for added flavor.
EXPERT TIP: Once the sauce has reduced by about one third, turn off the heat and stir in the cream. You’ll want to do this just before serving.
How To Serve
This dish truly is stunning in presentation. We recommend plating the dish before serving.
It truly delivers that “wow” moment when you bring it to the table.
The sauce is deeply flavorful and you don’t need to drown the chops in it. Just a nice drizzle down the middle of the chop and then a little over the mashed potatoes delivers the goods, without a doubt!
Other Amazing Pork Recipes To Try
If you like juicy pork, you are going to really love these tried and true recipes:
Italian-Style Smothered Pork Chops
Grilled Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops
Grandma’s Pork Loin Roast
Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder
Italian Smothered Pork Chops
Cajun Pork Chops
Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Southern Fried Pork Chops with Cream Gravy
Pan-Fried Pork Cutlets with Peaches
Country-Style Pork Ribs
Oh, these are all classic in every possible way. But, hasn’t this pork chop caught your eye?
Folks, we’re not mincing words when we tell you this Seared Pork Chops with Caper Sauce is one of the best pork chop dishes you’ll ever make, serve, and eat.
The sauce is sublime and matches perfectly with the tender, juicy chops.
This is one of our all-time favorites, and when you try it, we think it will quickly move into your rotation, too!
Ready to make the best seared pork chop recipe in town? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a photo of it, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowToFeedaLoon!
Seared Pork Chops with Caper Sauce
Video
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops center cut, bone-in
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium shallot diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ⅓ cup capers drained
- 2 tablespoon Sherry vinegar
- ½ cup chicken stock
- 1 ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Pat chops dry with a paper towel, and then generously sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.4 pork chops, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat.2 tablespoon olive oil
- Add the chops and sear on one side for about 6 to 8 minutes, until golden brown on the bottoms. Flip the chops over and sear the other sides for another 6 to 8 minutes. The chops won't be completely cooked through at this point.
- Transfer the chops and cook until the internal temperature reaches 135°F. An instant-read thermometer ensures the perfect temperature.
- Meanwhile, pour all but about 1 tablespoon of oil from the pan and reduce the heat to medium.
- Add the shallots and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, until soft. Stir in the garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds.1 medium shallot, 3 cloves garlic
- Add the capers and simmer for 1 minute.⅓ cup capers
- Add the vinegar, stock, and mustard and stir until combined. Simmer until slightly reduced, about 2 to 3 minutes.2 tablespoon Sherry vinegar, ½ cup chicken stock, 1 ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Stir in the cream and a healthy pinch of salt and pepper.¼ cup heavy cream
- Place chops on plate or platter and pour sauce over them. Pass remaining sauce at the table.
Notes
Nutrition
POST UPDATE: This recipe was originally published in May 2016, but was updated with improved tweaks to the recipe with new tips and photography and a fabulous new video in August 2023!
retro bowl says
These pork chops look absolutely delicious! I can’t wait to try the caper sauce – it sounds like the perfect complement. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Beth says
I haven’t made it yet… but this looks wonderful and I’d like to try it tonight. Quick question, though – can I substitute something like evaporated milk for the heavy cream? I know (believe me) that it won’t be quite the same… but my husband looks suspiciously at ANY sauce I make and asks “Are you trying to kill me?” – I’m sure only half joking – as he’s afraid of anything with full fat. (God, I miss cream!!!)
Kris Longwell says
Hi Beth! Good for your hubby being health conscience!! I’ve never made this with evaporated milk, but, it should be okay. I’d say a better choice (and much lower calories and fat) would be half and half, or even just milk (whole, preferably! LOL). Any choice should be okay. Let us know how they turn out!!!
MerryChristmas Clausmas Claus says
I believe I have made this recipe four times now. It is truly one of our favorites. Whenever Santa says it’s time for pork chops, I know he means this recipe because he never liked pork chops until I made this for him. Now, he would gladly eat it once a week. Capers make such a fabulous sauce and I buy a large jar on Amazon to always have it in stock in the fridge.
Kris Longwell says
This just made our day! We are thrilled that you and Santa are enjoying our pork chops recipe! The caper sauce puts it over the top! Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas!
Holly says
Pork Chops with Capers were delicious. I made them alongside Best Mashed Potatoes and got mixed up by putting one cup cream in the caper sauce and one-quarter cup cream in the potatoes. I fixed the potatoes with more cream but ended up serving the sauce a little soupy, but still very yummy. Thanks for making me look good in front of my family!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Holly!!! Yay!! Even with the slight mix-up, sounds like you prepare and absolutely amazing meal! You are a rock star in the kitchen! We are thrilled you had such great success! Thank you so very much for sharing and the wonderful review. That means the world to us!!! Have a GREAT day!!! xo Kris & Wesley
Victoria says
Absolutely delicious!!
Kris Longwell says
Thank you!
Retro Bowl says
Seared Pork Chops with Caper Sauce is not only easy to make but also packed with flavor that will impress your taste buds. Plus, it pairs perfectly with Best Mashed Potatoes for a truly satisfying meal.
Lynn says
This was delicious! Made this with mashed potatoes and roasted Brussel sprouts. I can’t wait to make this again. Thanks for a great recipe.
Kris Longwell says
Hi Lynn! that is so awesome! And wow! What an amazing sounding meal! we are so so happy you made the pork chops and loved them! And thank you so much for sharing and for the GREAT review. That means so much to us! Keep us posted on future dishes!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Maxine says
Excellent! I made this exactly as written and it came out superb. Thank you for such a delicious recipe!
Kris Longwell says
This makes us so happy, Maxine! Thank you so so much for sharing and for the wonderful review! Please stay in touch! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Deb says
So, in the interest of full disclosure, I was going to grill my big fat chops outside tonight. However, Mother Nature had a very different idea!! We had wicked winds (30 mph) & 2+ inches of driving rain in Northern NH! So plan B was absolutely this recipe! Have made this six times now and it never, ever disappoints!
It’s so delicious and has all the attributes of a 5 Star restaurant! Turned out to be such an amazing meal on a crummy night!!
Pleases keep up the great work & fun informative videos… you guys are the BEST!!
Thank you!
Kris Longwell says
Deb! You just made our day!!! We are so so happy the seared pork chops with capers came to the rescue!! Thank you SO SO MUCH for sharing and for the awesome review! That honestly means so much to us!! Stay in touch, stay warm, and stay tuned…so much more fun and food on the way! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Einar says
It made it last night for Sunday dinner. And everyone thought it was delicious and that I spent a long time making it, little did they know? It just seems to me that if a dish has capers in it people think it’s fancy and hard to make. I’m going to say a word to them about just how quick and easy it was.
Thanks, I will be making it again soon.
Kris Longwell says
Hi Einar! You are a culinary rock star!!!! No doubt you prepare the chops perfectly! Thank you so so much for sharing and for the wonderful review. That honestly means so very much to us! Please stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Alan says
I have made this a few times now and just love it. Quick and easy. Since the oven is already on I make roasted veggies to go with the pork chop.
Happy 2024 to you both!
Kris Longwell says
Hey Alan! Woo hoo! We are so so happy you are enjoying the seared pork chops with capers! We absolutely love them, too! Thank you so so much for sharing and for the GREAT review! We truly appreciate that so much! Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! Best, Kris & Wesley
Joline says
Oh my goodness! Gentlemen, this was totally amazing! I ran out of capers and had to run to the store quickly in the rain to get more. I’m so I did! You two are such a pleasure to watch! Thank you so much!!!
Joline
Kris Longwell says
Hi Joline! You just made our day! We are thrilled you had such great success with the pork chops, even though you had to run out in the rain! You are committed to making the best of the best, and we LOVE that!! Thank you so much for sharing and for the wonderful review! That means the world to us!!! Stay in touch!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Barbie says
Absolutely delicious!! My husband loved it! I will definitely be making this again, as I do a lot of your recipes!!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Barbie!! Yay!!! We are so so happy that you and your husband loved the pork chops! Thank you so so much for sharing and for the awesome review! We can’t say enough how much that means to us! Please stay in touch! Kris & Wesley