Skip The Stove: Cook Your Pork Chops This Way For Dinner In Less Than Half The Time

We already discussed why you should skip the stove and broil your salmon for a fast and easy dinner, but we don't know if we managed to convey exactly how useful your oven's broiler is for simplifying weeknight dinners. It's a true secret weapon, in our estimation. There's a bunch of mistakes people make when cooking pork chops, and we think not broiling them is a major oversight that's costing home cooks time, effort, and flavor. Do you want a delicious, meaty dinner in less than half an hour? Of course you do! The technique couldn't be easier, either.

Most recipes for broiler pork chops use bone-in cuts, which makes sense because pork is super lean, and a boneless chop might cook too quickly to control. A medium-sized chop is superb for broiling: not too thin, and not so thick that it will scorch before it cooks through. Speaking of scorching, it seems that a distance of around nine inches between your pan and the broiler is right for balancing cooking with the sear derived from the powerful overhead heat. We've even seen a grill pan used to great effect with this method — preheat the oven's broiler with the grill pan inside, and you'll get gorgeous grill marks on your chops without the hassle of firing up your outdoor grill! Make sure you flip your chops every few minutes (set a timer for between three and five minutes) to make sure they cook evenly to an internal temp of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pork is a wonderful neutral canvas for seasonings and sauces, and this holds true when you're broiling your chops. Will you pick a sweet and savory BBQ sauce and baste your chops as they broil? We'd count that as an excellent choice. On the other hand, you could go simple and choose some tasty spices (ones that won't char and smoke under the high heat) and rub the chops before cooking for a penetrating flavor. 

Remember when we discussed how to elevate pork chops with canned cream of mushroom soup? There's nothing stopping you from broiling your pork chops and serving them with a simple, effortless homemade gravy made from your favorite condensed soup. Maybe broiling some cut apples or onions (or both!) alongside and beneath your meat for delicious scent and flavor? The ball's in your court when it comes to seasoning and serving your broiled chops.

When time is of the essence, but you refuse to compromise on taste, we recommend broiled pork chops for several reasons. Not only are they one of the quickest options for a meaty dinner that we've come across, but they are endlessly versatile with a wealth of options for serving — which means that you can raid your pantry for available sides and make a harmonious meal without too much deep thinking. We also love the smoky flavor you get when broiling pork. Overall, you could say that we're big fans of this method — and we think you'll probably love it, too.