Chef John's Smothered Pork Chops

Smothered pork chops are a delicious combo of tender pan-fried pork chops covered in a rich onion gravy; serve with mash for a satisfying Southern-style meal.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 55

Total Time 1

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Calories: 370

Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients

4 large bone-in pork chops, about 1 inch thick
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 large yellow onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1.5 cups chicken broth
0.25 cup buttermilk
0.25 cup water

Method

Gather all ingredients.
Sprinkle both sides pork chops with poultry seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add pork chops and brown well on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Discard excess grease from the skillet.
Melt butter in the same skillet; reduce heat to medium. Add onion and pinch of salt; cook until onion is very browned and caramelized, about 15 minutes.
Stir in garlic; cook for 1 minute. Stir in flour; cook for 2 minutes.
Add chicken broth to the skillet; stir, scraping the browned bits of food off the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon.
Pour any accumulated juices from the plate with pork chops into the sauce.
Stir in buttermilk until smooth.
Add water. Bring sauce to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook until onions begin to break down and sauce is thickened, 15 to 20 minutes.
Place pork chops in sauce; spoon sauce over top to coat.
Reduce heat to low; simmer until chops are tender and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Taste; adjust seasoning. Serve chops with gravy on top.