Comforting Southern-Style Smothered Pork Chops
A hearty and easy southern-style smothered pork chops recipe featuring tender pork chops slow-simmered in a rich, creamy gravy with caramelized onions. Perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in or boneless pork chops, about 1-inch thick
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging and gravy thickening)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
- 1/4 cup buttermilk or sour cream (optional, for finishing gravy)
- Fresh thyme or parsley for garnish (optional)
- Pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper (optional for spice)
Instructions
- Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Dredge each chop lightly in flour, shaking off any excess.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork chops and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Work in batches if needed. Transfer chops to a plate.
- Lower heat to medium. Add butter and sliced onions to the same pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 7-10 minutes until onions are soft and caramelized. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour over the onions, stirring constantly to coat and cook the flour for about 2 minutes.
- Slowly pour in 2 cups chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Scrape browned bits from the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer and let gravy thicken for 3-5 minutes.
- Nestle the browned pork chops back into the gravy and onions. Cover the pan with a lid or foil, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes.
- Off the heat, stir in 1/4 cup buttermilk or sour cream if using. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- Serve pork chops with plenty of gravy spooned over the top. Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley if desired.
Notes
If gravy is too thick, whisk in a splash of broth or water. If too thin, mix a teaspoon of flour with cold water and stir in, simmering until thickened. Do not overcrowd the pan when browning pork chops. Keep lid on during simmering to trap steam and tenderize meat. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free blend or cornstarch (use half amount). For dairy-free, use coconut milk instead of buttermilk/sour cream and olive oil instead of butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pork chop with gra
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: southern pork chops, smothered pork chops, pork chops with gravy, easy pork dinner, comfort food, caramelized onions, weeknight dinner