These Baked Pork Chops are tender, juicy, and topped with a flavorful dry rub. Ready in about 25 minutes, they’re a quick, family-friendly weeknight dinner that requires minimal prep.
For other simple dinners, try baked chicken breasts or oven-baked ribs.
About This Recipe
This has become a go-to dinner for us. I’ve made it many times over the years and it’s consistently easy and satisfying. The ingredient list is short and prep takes only a few minutes. If I weren’t always testing new ideas, I could easily serve this often—switching up the spices occasionally keeps it interesting.
I whisk the spices with a little olive oil and apple cider vinegar, brush the mixture over the chops, and bake until just cooked through. I remove them slightly under the target temperature to allow for carry-over cooking, which keeps the pork chops juicy and flavorful.
Carry-over heat means the internal temperature will rise a few degrees after the chops come out of the oven. Depending on the oven and thickness of the meat, expect an increase of about 2–8°F. Use an instant-read thermometer and pull the chops when they’re just under your desired final temperature to ensure a tender result.
Key Ingredients
Pork Chops: Boneless chops are used here, about 1 inch thick. Bone-in chops work well too—if you use boneless with a fat cap, cut small slits so they don’t curl while baking.
Olive oil: Helps the spice mixture stick to the meat and encourages browning.
Apple cider vinegar: A touch of vinegar tenderizes and brightens the flavor; apple cider vinegar pairs especially well with pork, though other clear vinegars will work in a pinch.
Brown sugar: Balances acidity and adds a slight caramelized finish.
Spices: Paprika, salt, oregano, garlic powder, and black pepper form the rest of the rub for a warm, savory profile.
Instructions
STEP 1: In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, paprika, salt, oregano, garlic powder, and black pepper until combined.
STEP 2: Pat the pork chops dry, then rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of each chop.
STEP 3: Arrange the chops in a single layer on a 9×13 baking dish or sheet, leaving space between pieces for even cooking.
STEP 4: Bake in a 400°F oven. Time depends on thickness—about 7 minutes per ½-inch of thickness. Remove when slightly under your target internal temperature, and let rest in the pan for 5 minutes before serving.
📋 Recipe
Baked Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork chops (about 1-inch thick)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and prepare a 9×13 baking dish.
- Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, paprika, salt, oregano, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Rub the spice mixture over both sides of each pork chop and arrange them in a single layer in the baking dish.
- Bake about 7 minutes per ½-inch of thickness. Remove when slightly under your target internal temperature, then let rest for 5 minutes in the pan before serving.
Notes
Apple cider vinegar: You can substitute another clear vinegar if needed, but apple cider vinegar complements pork particularly well.
Let me know how it turned out!