Are you ready for a new weeknight hero? These creamy garlic pork chops are the ultimate one-pan meal, delivering rich flavor without a lot of fuss. With tender pork loin simmered in a velvety garlic and sour cream sauce, this dish tastes like it took hours to make, but it's ready in just minutes. It's the perfect comfort food for a busy evening, promising a delicious, satisfying dinner that the whole family will love.
While some dishes are best saved for certain holidays, our creamy garlic pork chops are a true year-round favorite. This is the kind of comforting, satisfying meal that hits the spot on a chilly winter evening and is still quick and easy enough for a warm summer night. We especially love it as a go-to for busy weeknights, saving us from the usual dinner-time rush.
This recipe was actually inspired by one of my most popular dishes, the Creamy Pork Stew Recipe. While that classic stew is known for its rich, slow-simmered flavors and hearty vegetables, this new version offers a quicker, one-pan alternative. By using some of the same core ingredients, like pork loin and a creamy base, I was able to create a new take on a beloved classic.
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You know a recipe is good when it can stand on its own, but it's even better when you find its perfect match. The rich, savory sauce of these creamy garlic pork chops pairs wonderfully with a simple side dish that can soak up all that flavor. We highly recommend serving this with my Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes for a truly unforgettable meal. The buttery, creamy potatoes are the ideal companion to the rich pork and garlic sauce.
Ingredients
You might be surprised by how few ingredients are needed to create such a rich, flavorful meal. The secret to these creamy garlic pork chops is using a handful of simple pantry staples to build a deep, complex sauce. With just a few key components, you can transform everyday pork loin into a dish that tastes like a five-star meal.
Here's what you'll need to make this delicious recipe:
- 700 g Pork Loin: This cut is lean, tender, and cooks up quickly, making it ideal for a fast-frying dish like this.
- 1 tablespoon Pork Lard: This renders down to give the pork a fantastic sear and provides a rich base for the sauce. If you don't have lard, you can substitute with butter or a neutral oil.
- 6 cloves Garlic: Fresh garlic is key here, as it provides a pungent, aromatic foundation for the creamy sauce.
- 2 tablespoon Flour: Just a small amount is used to help thicken the sauce, giving it a smooth and luscious texture.
- 2 tablespoon Sour Cream: This is the secret to the sauce's incredible richness and tang. It creates that signature creamy consistency and balances the savory flavors.
- Water: We'll add two-three cups to help form the sauce, ensuring it's the perfect consistency for simmering the pork.
- 1 tablespoon Butter: Added at the end of the sauce brings a final touch of richness and a beautiful glossy finish.
- Seasoning: A simple blend of salt, pepper, ground coriander, and dried marjoram elevates the dish. The coriander adds a warm, citrusy note that complements the pork, while the marjoram provides a gentle, aromatic lift to the creamy sauce.
How to Make the Creamy Garlic Pork Chops
Ready to get started? This recipe comes together in a single pan and is incredibly easy to follow. We've broken down each step to ensure perfect results every time. If you're a visual learner, be sure to check out our step-by-step video on our YouTube channel, which you can watch right here:
With our simple instructions and a little bit of love, you'll have a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal on the table in no time.
Prepare the Pork Chops
To begin, take your 700g of pork loin and slice it into individual chops, about 1-inch thick. Arrange the slices on a cutting board and use a meat mallet or the back of a small, heavy pan to gently tenderize each one. Be careful not to flatten them too much!
Once you've tenderized the meat, season both sides of each chop generously with salt, pepper, and ground coriander. This simple seasoning blend will give the pork a fantastic base flavor before it even hits the pan.
Frying The Meat
Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat and add the tablespoon of pork lard. Once the lard has melted and is shimmering, carefully place the seasoned pork chops in the pan in a single layer.
Fry for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, just until they are golden brown and have a nice sear. They will not be cooked through at this point, but that's okay-they'll finish cooking later in the sauce. Once seared, remove the chops from the pan and set them aside on a plate.
Make the Cream
While the pan is still hot, but the pork chops are out, it's time to build the creamy sauce. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour with ½ cup of water. Whisk the mixture until the flour is completely dissolved and no lumps remain.
Next, add 2 tablespoons of sour cream to the bowl and whisk it into the flour-water mixture until everything is smooth and well-combined.
Combine All
Return to your hot pan and add the six cloves of crushed garlic. Sauté the garlic for just a few seconds, stirring constantly. Be very careful not to let it burn, as this will make it bitter.
As soon as the garlic becomes fragrant, pour in a little bit of water to deglaze the pan, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Sauté for about one more minute, allowing the water to reduce slightly.
Now, pour the flour, water, and sour cream mixture into the pan with the sautéed garlic. Stir continuously until the sauce starts to thicken and simmer. Once it begins to bubble, add a teaspoon of salt, a dash of black pepper, and your dried marjoram.
Continue to stir until everything is well combined. To finish the sauce and make it extra creamy and rich, stir in one tablespoon of butter until it has completely melted.
Finally, it's time to bring everything together. Gently place the fried pork chops back into the pan, nesting them in the rich, creamy sauce. Reduce the heat and let the chops simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, just enough time to finish cooking the meat and allow it to soak up all that incredible flavor.
Once the sauce is bubbling and the chops are cooked through, your creamy garlic pork chops are ready to serve!
Variations
This creamy garlic pork chop recipe is wonderful as is, but it's also incredibly versatile. You can easily adapt it to your tastes or what you have on hand.
- Make it Spicy: For a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the pan with the garlic. The spice will cut through the richness of the sauce beautifully.
- Add Vegetables: Bulk up the meal and add more nutrients by stirring in some vegetables. Sliced mushrooms, wilted spinach, or finely chopped broccoli can be added to the sauce right after the garlic has been sautéed.
- Use Different Meats: This sauce isn't just for pork! You can use this exact method with chicken breasts or even lean cuts of turkey for a lighter alternative.
- Change the Herbs: While marjoram is the perfect classic pairing, feel free to experiment with other herbs. Fresh parsley, chives, or a sprig of thyme would also work wonderfully.
- Swap the Sour Cream: For a slightly different flavor profile, you can use heavy cream or a combination of sour cream and cream cheese instead of just sour cream. This will make the sauce even more luxurious and rich.
Serving
The beauty of this dish is that the rich, creamy sauce is meant to be the star, so the best side dishes are those that can soak up every last drop of that incredible flavor.
- Over a Carb Base: The most classic way to serve these pork chops is over a bed of mashed potatoes, vegetable rice pilaf, or egg noodles. The velvety sauce is the perfect "gravy," making for a hearty and satisfying meal.
- With Steamed Vegetables: To balance the richness of the pork, serve it alongside some simply steamed vegetables. Green beans, broccoli, or asparagus are all great choices that add a fresh, vibrant contrast to the creamy sauce.
- Crusty Bread: Don't underestimate the power of a simple, crusty loaf of bread. It's the perfect tool to mop up any leftover sauce from your plate, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
- A Simple Salad: A light, sweet and sour butterhead salad with a simple vinaigrette can cut through the richness of the dish and cleanse the palate.
Storage
This dish is so delicious that you might not have any leftovers, but if you do, they are easy to store and reheat.
Let the dish cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. The leftover pork chops and sauce can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
For best results, gently reheat the pork chops and sauce on the stovetop over low heat. The creamy sauce may thicken in the refrigerator, so you can add a splash of water, milk, or broth while reheating to restore its original consistency. Avoid reheating the dish at a high temperature, as this can cause the sauce to separate or the pork to become tough.
Top Tips for Perfect Creamy Garlic Pork Chops
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: When searing the pork chops, work in batches if necessary. This ensures each piece gets a beautiful golden-brown crust instead of steaming, which will make them gray.
- Don't Overcook the Garlic: Garlic can go from fragrant to bitter in a matter of seconds. Keep a close eye on it and stir constantly.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: While dried spices work, fresh garlic and high-quality sour cream make a noticeable difference in the final flavor of the sauce.
- Scrape Up the Flavorful Bits: The browned bits left on the bottom of the pan after searing the pork are called "fond." When you add the water and garlic, make sure to scrape these up, as they are packed with flavor that will enrich your sauce.
- Be Patient with the Sauce: Give the sauce a moment to thicken as it simmers. If it's too thin, a quick whisk and another minute on the heat should do the trick. If it gets too thick, just add a tablespoon of water at a time until it's the perfect consistency.
FAQ
Yes, this sauce and cooking method work wonderfully with boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs. You can also use lean cuts of turkey. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time as needed, as thinner cuts may cook faster.
This can happen if the sauce gets too hot too quickly. Sour cream can curdle when exposed to high heat. To prevent this, always add the sour cream mixture to the pan off the heat, or over low heat, and stir constantly as it heats up.
You can easily substitute pork lard with a tablespoon of butter, olive oil, or any other neutral cooking oil. The lard just adds a little extra flavor and richness, but the recipe will still be delicious without it.
Ready to try this recipe for yourself? We'd love to see your creations! Share a photo of your creamy garlic pork chops on social media and tag us. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration. And if you haven't already, subscribe to our YouTube channel to get all our newest video recipes delivered right to you. Happy cooking!
Related
Looking for other delicious pork meat recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with the creamy garlic pork chops:
The Best Creamy Garlic Pork Chops Recipe (Ready in Under 30)
Equipment
- 1 meat tenderiser
- 1 deeper frying pan
Ingredients
- 700 g pork loin sliced
- 6 cloves garlic fresh
- 1 tablespoon pork lard
- 2 tablespoon flour
- 2 tablespoon sour cream
- 1 tablespoon butter unsalted
- 2 teaspoon sea salt kosher
- 2 teaspoon ground pepper freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon marjoram dried
- 3 cup water
Instructions
- Take your pork loin and slice it into individual chops, about 1-inch thick. Arrange the slices on a cutting board and use a meat mallet to gently tenderize each one.
- Season both sides of each chop generously with salt, pepper, and ground coriander.
- Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat and add the tablespoon of pork lard. Once the lard has melted and is shimmering, place the seasoned pork chops in the pan in a single layer.
- Fry for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, just until they are golden brown. Once seared, remove the chops from the pan and set them aside on a plate.
- In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoon of all-purpose flour with ½ cup of water. Whisk the mixture until the flour is completely dissolved and no lumps remain.
- Add 2 tablespoon of sour cream to the bowl and whisk it into the flour-water mixture until everything is smooth and well-combined.
- In your hot pan add the six cloves of crushed garlic. Sauté the garlic for just a few seconds, stirring constantly. Pour in a little bit of water to deglaze the pan.
- Pour the flour, water, and sour cream mixture into the pan with the sautéed garlic. Once it begins to bubble, add a teaspoon of salt, black pepper, and dried marjoram.
- To finish the sauce, stir in one tablespoon of butter until it has completely melted.
- Place the fried pork chops back into the pan. Reduce the heat and let the chops simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Once the sauce is bubbling and the chops are cooked through, your creamy garlic pork chops are ready to serve!
Laci says
It is one of my favorites.