Southern Fried Pork Chops

Pork Chops are a family favorite in our house. These Southern Fried Pork Chops are so easy to make and full of flavor. Comfort food at its finest.

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Pork chops that are lightly seasoned and fried to a golden brown. They are tender and juicy and have the most satisfying crunch. Southern Fried pork chops are perfect for guests and make a delightful weeknight meal.

As many of you know, I am from the south, and I like good food. The word southern and fried seem to go hand in hand. Speaking for “myself” and for other southerners (I know), we like fried food, and we can fry just about anything– pickles, green tomatoes, squash, salmon patties, and so much more. 🙂

Pork chops are no exception. You probably shouldn’t eat them every week, but once or twice a month certainly wouldn’t hurt. I mean, we all know fried is not the healthiest way to eat, but it’s so dang good.

Bone-In or Boneless Pork Chops

For this recipe, we are using Bone-In pork chops. These usually are more tender and have a little bit more fat on them. In my opinion, bone-in pork chops have more flavor, are more tender, and are my favorite.
You can use boneless pork chops if so desired. The cooking time will vary with boneless pork chops. However, they do cook faster and will dry out easier if not watched closely.

Ingredients Needed for Fried Pork Chops

Simple ingredients make for the best pork chops. I believe in keeping it simple and letting the pork chops speak for themselves.
Pork Chops
Buttermilk
Dales Steak Seasoning
Flour
Garlic Powder
Lemon Pepper
Salt

How to Make Southern Fried Pork Chops

Pan-Fried Pork Chops are easy, yummy, and absolutely comforting. With just a few easy steps, you too can have some fantastic pork chops for your family as well.
Pan-Fried consists of placing the pork chops in hot oil, browning on one side, and then flipping to the other side until done.
In a medium bowl, mix buttermilk and Dales. Add pork chops and allow to soak until ready to cook. If you have an additional 30 minutes, let them hang out in the refrigerator to soak up more of the buttermilk and Dales seasoning.
In another bowl or plate, add flour and seasonings. Mix well.
Remove the pork chop from the wet mixture and dip it in the flour mixture. Coat well on the front and back. Set aside on a plate.
In a large cast-iron skillet or nonstick pan, on the stovetop, heat oil to 350 degrees. Add enough oil to almost cover the pork chops. The amount of oil will depend on the size of the skillet used.
Cook pork chops for about 5-7 minutes on one side and then flip to the other.
When done, remove to a paper-towel-lined plate and continue to cook other pork chops.

The Best Seasonings for Pork Chops

The seasoning begins with the wet mix. Soak pork chops for several minutes to several hours. The milk/buttermilk soaks into the meat, making it tender and flavorful.
Season the flour. This is the coating that makes the crunch on the pork chops, and seasoning is key here. Feel free to adjust the seasonings. For example, add some cayenne, paprika, additional lemon pepper, or add some other seasonings of your choice.

What to serve with Fried Pork Chops

These pork chops pair nicely with green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, rice and corn casserole, and fried potatoes and onions.

Tips for Making the Best Southern Fried Pork Chops

*Make sure the oil is hot before adding your pork chops to the pan.
*Season the flour well.
*Turn the pork chops halfway through cooking to brown both sides.
*Use Bone-In or Boneless chops.
*Don’t overcrowd your pan. Overcrowding causes the oil to cool down, and this makes for soggy pork chops.
*If you have a cast-iron skillet, use it. It’s my favorite pan in the kitchen. But if not, no worries. Use a nonstick pan for easier clean-up.
*Watch closely to make sure the chops are not cooking too fast.
*Place pork chops on a paper towel-lined plate after cooking. This allows the grease to drain and the chops to get crispy.

*Cook pork chops 5-7 minutes per side. The time depends on the thickness of your chops. Thin chops will take less time. As a rule, if the pork chop is sticking to the bottom of the pan, it means it is usually not ready to flip. Most of the time, the pork chops will turn loose when crispy and ready to flip. Cook until brown and crispy on both sides and the juices run clear.

How to Store and Reheat

Pork chops are great for breakfast. Yes, I have eaten leftovers many times for breakfast. I mean, they are that good. They are great with cheesy grits.
Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. They can last for 2-3 days in the fridge.

To reheat: Place pork chops on a foil-lined baking sheet and place them into a 350-degree oven. Bake for about 5-6 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chops.