The answer to whether you should cover pork chops when baking them depends on the specific recipe you’re following. Some recipes call for covering the pan with foil or a lid, while others do not.
Reasons for Covering Pork Chops:
- Creating Steam: Covering the pan helps to create a pocket of steam, which can help to keep the pork chops moist and tender. This is especially helpful for thicker cuts of pork or for recipes that cook for a longer period of time.
- Adding Flavor: Covering the pan can also help to trap in the flavors of the seasonings and any other ingredients that you’ve added to the pan. This can result in more flavorful pork chops.
Reasons for Not Covering Pork Chops:
- Browning the Surface: If you want your pork chops to have a crispy, browned surface, you will need to uncover them for part of the cooking time. This will allow the moisture to evaporate and the surface of the pork to brown.
- Adding a Glaze or Sauce: If you are planning to add a glaze or sauce to your pork chops during the cooking process, you will need to uncover them so that the glaze or sauce can thicken and caramelize.
General Guidelines:
- Covering: If you are using a recipe that calls for covering the pan, be sure to follow the instructions carefully. The recipe will likely specify when to uncover the pan to allow the pork chops to brown.
- Uncovering: If you are not sure whether or not to cover your pork chops, it is generally a safe bet to uncover them for the last 15-20 minutes of cooking time. This will allow them to brown and crisp up.
Additional Tips:
- Use a meat thermometer: The best way to ensure that your pork chops are cooked through is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the pork chops should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Let the pork chops rest: After cooking, let the pork chops rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful pork chops.
Whether or not you cover your pork chops when baking them depends on the specific recipe you’re following. If you’re unsure, it’s generally a safe bet to uncover them for the last 15-20 minutes of cooking time. By following these tips, you can ensure that your baked pork chops are juicy, tender, and flavorful.
How to make oven baked pork chops
- First, go ahead and preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
- Second, get your baking sheet ready. I sprayed cooking spray on a 9 x 9 baking dish.
- Next, put the pork chops in the baking dish.
- A small bowl is required to combine the seasoning. Make sure everything is well combined.
- Then pat pork chops dry with a paper towel.
- Then drizzle the olive oil all over the pork chops. Using a basting brush allows me to ensure that it is evenly distributed.
- Now sprinkle the spice mixture, which includes the black pepper, over the pork chops. Again, use your basting brush to coat the entire piece of meat.
Side dishes for pork chops:
- Broccoli- We like to steam broccoli in the microwave. It takes only minutes and everyone loves it.
- For another simple vegetable idea, we also enjoy Roasted Green Beans.
- Roasted or grilled asparagus makes a delicious and nutritious side dish.
- We adore homemade macaroni and cheese, and this recipe is a quick and simple weeknight meal that only requires one pot!
- Salad: An easy and quick side salad is always a good choice.
- Baked, mashed, sweet, and buttered potatoes would all make excellent side dishes.
- When serving pork chops, rice pilaf is always the ideal side dish.
- See Best Pork Chop Sides for more side dish ideas
Easy Oven Baked Pork Chops (Juicy and Tender)
FAQ
Should you cover pork chops when baking?
How do you keep pork chops from drying out in the oven?
Should I cover pork with foil when cooking?
Is it better to bake pork chops at 350 or 400?
Do you cook pork chops in the oven?
Baking your pork chops in the oven is such a simple way to do it, plus they come out tender and juicy and full of lots of flavor. By searing the chops before baking them, they form a brown crispy outside which traps in the juices on the inside. Another reason we like them in the oven is they are so easy to make and cook really quick.
Is it OK to take pork chops out of the oven?
It’s ok to take your pork chops out of the oven when they are pink. The last thing you want to do is cook them to death. When they are pink, but not red the meat is perfect. It is kind of like cooking beef medium rare which is also pink.
How long can you keep baked pork chops after cooking?
STORING: Once the oven-baked pork chops are done and you have eaten them for dinner, the leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight plastic container for up to 5 days. The next day when it comes time to eat the leftover baked pork chops, you can heat them in the oven or toaster oven at 350 degrees for about 5-10 minutes.
How do you keep pork chops moist after cooking?
Resting after oven pork chops are cooked will help your pork chops to remain moist. Reheating: This is easy to do. Just stick your leftover baked pork chops in the oven at 350 degrees for only about 5-10 minutes which is just enough to heat them up but not dry them out.