Flavorful, comforting, majorly satisfying… are just a few of the ways you might describe this oven baked smothered pork chops recipe! It’s that good, whether you love pork or you’re venturing outside your comfort zone. I’ll show you how easy it is to make baked pork chops that end up juicy and perfectly cooked. No more dry pork! I have to admit, I’m not always the biggest pork fan (bacon recipes don’t count! ;)), but readers have been asking me for more pork recipes, and these smothered pork chops in the oven might just turn me into a fan! If you prefer a simple method for preparing this cut of pork, try my baked pork chop recipe, where I share all the best tips for perfectly juicy chops every time. It actually converted me to loving them. These keto smothered pork chops with onion gravy are super easy to make – you’ll brown the pork, make the gravy, and then cook everything together to perfection. I can’t wait for you to try these!
What Are Smothered Pork Chops?
This recipe for baked pork chops smothers them in a delicious, creamy onion gravy. We combine an easy cooking method (it’s all done in one pot!) to brown pork chops, make an easy gravy, and then cook everything all together. It’s an easy, satisfying, and oh-so-delicious dinner. Traditionally, smothered pork chops refers to cooking them with liquid in a pan over low heat, but I sped up the process (and made it more hands-off) by making the gravy and browning on the stove top, then finishing in the oven.
How To Make Smothered Pork Chops In The Oven
Let me show you how to make smothered baked pork chops, step by step:
Season the pork. Sprinkle pork with sea salt, garlic and onion powder (optional but adds great flavor), and pepper. Brown pork. In a dutch oven, sear pork chops on both sides, without moving, until browned. Set them aside on a plate.
TIP: We are just browning them in this step, so they don’t need to be cooked through.
Caramelize onions. In the same dutch oven (no need to clean!), saute the onions until caramelized. (See the full guide to the best caramelized onions here.)
Make onion gravy. Add in the garlic and thyme, and saute until fragrant. Add the chicken broth and scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil, simmer to thicken, and remove from heat. Stir in cream cheese until it melts into the sauce.
Cook pork chops in oven. Return the pork chops to the dutch oven and spoon the sauce and onions over them. Cover with the lid and bake until cooked through.
How Long to Bake Pork Chops?
The cooking time for this easy smothered pork chops recipe will take about 20-25 minutes, but the time will vary slightly depending on the thickness of your pork chops. Use a thermometer and cook to 145 degrees F for best results.
Should You Cover Pork Chops In The Oven?
For this recipe, yes. Whether you should cover oven baked pork chops will depend on the recipe, but you definitely want to cover them when making smothered pork chops.
Are You Supposed To Flip Pork Chops In The Oven?
No, you don’t need to flip pork chops in the oven. You do flip them when searing on the stovetop beforehand.
Why Are My Pork Chops Tough?
It’s very unlikely that this smothered pork chops recipe will be tough. Smothering them in onion gravy does an amazing job at locking in moisture! That being said, the most common reason for tough pork chops is overcooking them. Since they are so lean, they cook pretty fast and even a few extra minutes can make them tough. Be sure to use a thermometer to check for doneness, and start checking at the lower end of the oven time range.
How To Store Baked Smothered Pork Chops
If you have leftover oven baked pork chops, store them in the fridge after cooling, together with the the onion gravy. When ready to eat, reheat your keto smothered pork chops in the microwave or in a skillet, just until hot.
Can You Freeze Baked Pork Chops?
Yes, you can also freeze this easy baked smothered pork chop recipe! Simply store the pork chops and gravy in a freezer container for 2-3 months. When you’re ready to reheat the smothered pork chops recipe, let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or a skillet, just until hot.
What To Serve With Smothered Pork Chops
These I’ve got plenty of keto low carb side dishes to serve alongside these smothered pork chops with onion gravy. Here are a few favorites to try with this recipe:
Fried Radishes – If you like the flavor and texture of roasted potatoes but don’t want the carbs…these radishes are a great substitute. Keto Mashed Cauliflower – The creamiest, dreamiest, BEST mashed cauliflower around. It’s the perfect side for my smothered pork chops recipe and is pictured above. Patty Pan Squash – A tasty summer squash you can cook in several easy ways (all of which I’ll show you!). Roasted Asparagus – This is a great light side dish option and because it’s seasoned simply, the bright flavors work well with the smothered pork chops in the oven. Oven Roasted Vegetables – These vegetables will go with anything, baked pork chop recipes included. It’s a great recipe to prep ahead, too!
Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven – It’s a show-stopper of a dutch oven, that’s for sure! But it’s more than just good-looking, it’s heavy bottom helps brown the pork chops, cook the gravy, and cook the smothered pork chops in the oven. Can’t beat the convenience of making this entire dish in one pan. Instant Read Thermometer – This instant thermometer is the easiest way to ensure that you cook your keto smothered pork chops in the oven perfectly each and every time. Stainless Steel Steak Knife Set – These knives are an excellent value for the quality. They’ll easily slice through your pork chops.
Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too - I’d love to see it! *Nutrition info is for large, 8-ounce pork chops. Depending on what you’re serving them with, it may make sense to cut the serving size in half to 4 ounces instead.
