• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • All Recipes
  • Low Carb
  • Keto
  • Baking
  • Dinner
  • Cakes
  • Dessert
  • Breakfast
  • Soups
  • Breads
  • About
  • Contact

Deb's Daily Dish

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • All Recipes
  • Low Carb
  • Keto
  • Baking
  • Dinner
  • Cakes
  • Dessert
  • Breakfast
  • Soups
  • Breads
  • About
  • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • All Recipes
    • Low Carb
    • Keto
    • Baking
    • Dinner
    • Cakes
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast
    • Soups
    • Breads
    • About
    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Dinner » Dutch Oven Pork Chops

    Published: Mar 15, 2022 · Modified: Mar 15, 2022 by Deb Belsha · This post may contain affiliate links

    Dutch Oven Pork Chops

    Jump to Recipe

    Dutch Oven pork chops are a quick and healthy family dinner recipe. You only need some simple ingredients and a few easy tips to ensure juicy, flavorful chops.

    baked pork chops, zucchini, tomatoes on white plate.
    Table of Contents hide
    1 Why this recipe is just so good....
    2 Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
    3 Step by Step Directions
    4 Cooking Tips
    5 FAQ
    6 Dutch Oven Pork Chops

    Why this recipe is just so good....

    • Dutch oven cooking is one of my favorite ways to make dinner. You will love how quick and easy it is. You don't have to wait for Sunday to cook a family roast! Some other favorite pork recipes cooked with this method are Dutch Oven Pork Roast and Dutch Oven Pork Tenderloin.
    • Pork chops are a budget-friendly, low carb and keto form of protein. This recipe uses bone on chops since that makes for tastier pork.
    • With the addition of tomatoes and squash, this recipe can be a one-pot low carb meal. You can add some other side dishes to complete the dinner as well.
    • And you won't need to make gravy. The cooked juices from the pork and vegetables make a delicious pan sauce to spoon over some mashed cauliflower, cauliflower rice. Or if not following a low carb diet, you can add a baked potato.

    Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

    squash, tomatoes, onions, garlic, herb, seasonings on cutting board.
    • We are using cherry tomatoes but in a pinch you can use a can of drained, diced tomatoes.
    • The zucchini and squash cook very quickly in the oven and compliment the flavor of the pork. Broccoli, asparagus or spinach are also softer vegetables and should cook in about the same time as well.
    • When I can, I always use fresh herbs if available. Dried herbs, as long as they are not too old will do as a substitute. Try rubbing the dried spices between your fingers before you put in the pot to release the flavors.
    uncooked chops on white platter.
    • Bone in pork chops are usually my preference over boneless. The chops turn out juicier and more flavorful, with less possibility of drying out.

    Step by Step Directions

    seared pork chops on platter.
    • Heat olive oil over medium heat in the Dutch Oven. Rub salt and pepper onto the chops and sear each side of the pork for 2 minutes. Remove to platter.
    browned squash, tomatoes, onions, garlic in Dutch Oven.
    • Heat remaining oil and lightly brown the onions and cook the garlic for a minute. Add the rest of vegetables and dried seasonings. Return the pork to Dutch oven. Stir together the balsamic vinegar and sugar and pour over the pork chops.
    Pork , herbs, vegetables in Dutch Oven.
    • Top with the fresh herbs. Cover the pot and cook in oven for 30 minutes. Test for doneness. If pork registers 140°F., it is done. Let rest on platter and temperature will rise to 145°F, the USDA recommendation.

    Cooking Tips

    • Remove pork from refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking.
    • Pat dry with a paper towel. This helps the meat to sear and not steam.
    • Season both sides of the pork for the best flavoring.
    • Don't overcook. Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness.
    • Since the chops are thin, and not a roast, they only need to rest briefly after removing from oven.

    FAQ

    Why use a Dutch Oven to cook?

    A Dutch oven is a multipurpose, versatile piece of kitchen equipment that I believe everyone will love. I use my Dutch Oven every week; for roasts, vegetables, chilis and soups. According to America's Test Kitchen, it is heavy and thick enough to conduct and retain heat and deep enough to handle large cuts of meat and many quarts of liquid. (for soups)

    How to keep pork chops from drying out?

    The Huff Post has some great suggestions:
    Buy bone in pork chops.
    Bring meat to room temperature before cooking.
    Try a marinade.
    Quickly sear on the stove (to seal in juices) and finish in the oven.
    Use a meat thermometer to prevent overcooking.

    Let the pork chops rest briefly on platter before serving to allow juices to reabsorb into the meat.

    Can pork chops be slightly pink?

    The USDA recommends pork to be cooked to 145°F. You can take the meat out of the oven when it registers 140°F. The temperature will rise while it is on the platter due to carryover cooking. So as long as the pork reaches that temperature, it is safe to eat even if it is a bit pink.

    dutch oven pork chops, tomatoes, squash on white platter.

    If you tried this recipe and enjoyed it, I'd love if you gave it a 5 star rating. This tells me what you like and want to see more of. Thank you!

    Here are more Dutch Oven recipes to try:

    • Dutch Oven Chicken Breasts
    • Dutch Oven Corned Beef
    • Dutch Oven Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
    • Dutch Oven Mediterranean Chicken Breasts
    Print
    clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon
    dutch oven pork chops, tomatoes, squash on white platter.

    Dutch Oven Pork Chops

    ★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
    • Author: Deb Belsha
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 30 minutes
    • Total Time: 45 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Bake
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Dutch Oven pork chops are a quick and healthy family dinner recipe. You only need some simple ingredients and a few easy tips to ensure juicy, flavorful chops.  


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 4 bone in pork chops, ½" thick, room temperature
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
    • 1 medium onion, sliced
    • 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes whole *
    • 1 zucchini sliced *
    • 1 yellow squash, sliced
    • ½ cup roasted red peppers, chopped *
    • 2 sprigs fresh thyme *
    • 2 sprigs fresh sage *
    • 2 teaspoons paprika
    • 1 teaspoons dried basil
    • 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons sugar or sugar substitute
    • chopped parsley for garnish
    • shaved parmesan cheese for garnish

    Instructions

    1. Remove pork chops fro refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking.  Dry well with paper towel.  Rub salt and pepper onto both sides of meat.
    2. Preheat oven to 325°F.
    3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven or other oven safe pot.
    4. Fry the chops  for 2 minutes per side.  Remove to platter. 
    5. Heat remaining oil and fry the onions for 2 minutes until light brown.  Add sliced garlic and fry for one minute.  Turn down the heat if necessary so that it doesn't burn.  Add the dry seasonings, tomatoes, red peppers, squash.  Stir to combine.
    6. Add back the pork chops on top of vegetable mixture, place fresh herbs on top of pork. Stir together the balsamic vinegar and sugar, and pour over pork.
    7. Cover Dutch oven and bake in oven for 30 minutes.  Test the meat with a thermometer and if it registers 140°F., it is done.  Remove to platter and let rest for just a few minutes.
    8. Serve with vegetables, spoon the juices from the Dutch oven over the pork.  Garnish with optional chopped parsley and shaved parmesan.

    Notes

    *You can substitute the cherry tomatoes for a can of diced tomatoes, drained of the juice.

    *You don't have to peel the squash and zucchini unless you prefer to.  The skin is fairly thin and will soften as it cooks.

    *Any leftover pork will stay fresh tightly wrapped up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

    *If you double the recipe and want to freeze any leftovers, the pork will freeze well up to 3 months.  Save some of the cooked liquids in the same container with the pork to reheat together after defrosted.  I don't recommend freezing the squash, it will be too mushy when defrosted.

    * I used a bit of Monk fruit for the sugar just to save a few carbs.

    Keywords: Dutch Oven dinner, pan seared pork chops

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

    Related Posts

    • Dutch Oven Pork Roast

      This delicious loin of pork roast satisfies your need for a hearty, comforting Sunday supper.…

    • Dutch Oven Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Glaze

      Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Glaze is cooked in a cast iron Dutch oven and is…

    • Dutch Oven Mediterranean Chicken Breasts

      These Dutch Oven Mediterranean inspired chicken breasts are a family favorite recipe. Everything from the…

    « Keto Nut and Seed Granola
    Low Carb Homemade Spaghetti Sauce »

    About Deb Belsha

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katie says

      April 02, 2022 at 10:07 pm

      This made a really nice sauce to dip pork in. I made mashed cauliflower and the sauce was great over thst too.

      ★★★★★

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm DEB! Hi Everyone! I'm so glad you have stopped in. You will find recipes for healthy, low carb and keto desserts and plenty of healthy dinners and comfort foods.  I will only post tried and true recipes because I'm picky about the flavor and success of the recipe and you should be too!   And most importantly, I'll share plenty of treat recipes for the precious pups in your life.

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Hot and Spicy Beef
    • Crab Louie
    • Air Fryer Marinated Flank Steak
    • Instant Pot Brats
    • Lemon Pepper Pork Chops
    • Keto Coconut Cream Pie

    Seasonal Favorites

    • Julienne Salad
    • Marinated Asparagus
    • Buffalo Chicken Thighs
    • Blackened Cod
    • Keto Strawberry Cheesecake
    • Sugar free glazed donuts

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy

    Search

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Recipes

    Copyright © 2022 Deb's Daily Dish