While there are many different ways to season pork chops, this recipe is one of the best options if you want to really bring your A game and impress your guests. From using a blend of quality spices like paprika, cayenne pepper and oregano, this combination will truly blow your socks off. So, if you’re ready to make the best tasting pork chop seasoning, look no further than this stellar guide. You’ll never have bland pork chops again!
Key Ingredients for Pork Chop Seasoning
Making the right pork chop seasoning is the key to flavorful pork chops. From spicy and peppery notes to earthy tones, it’s essential to have the right combination of flavors. Here are the key ingredients:
Paprika: Our recipe calls for paprika or smoked paprika. This maroon-colored seasoning made up of red peppers brings the perfect amount of smokiness without overpowering your meat.
Brown sugar: Brown sugar surprisingly tastes absolutely divine on pork chops. It adds a subtle hint of sweetness and caramelization to the overall savory blend. Think sweet barbecued pork chops.
Garlic powder: Unlike fresh garlic that can overpower a dish, garlic powder provides a more subtle garlic flavor with a hint of savoriness.
Onion powder: Onion powder is one of the essential seasonings we love to use in everything from soups to hamburgers. This trusty powder adds depth to any dish.
Cayenne pepper: This adds just the right amount of heat without being overly spicy. Cayenne pepper is less smoky than paprika, so if you like more heat feel free to add even more of this flavorful spice.
Sage: Sage is a unique spice that adds a hint of pine and mint to any dish. For pork chops, it blends beautifully with the other spices and complements the meat wonderfully.
Thyme: Thyme is a popular spice used mostly in Italian recipes. But, it also works great blended with other spices on pork chops! Thyme has a slightly lemony flavor that adds more complexity to your chops.
Oregano: This delicate yet flavorful spice will give your meat an earthy and peppery bite. Frequently used in Italian seasoning, oregano tastes wonderful on everything from fettuccini Alfredo to roasted chicken. This spice (while more muted than cayenne pepper or paprika) still shines through and takes your pork chops to another level.
Ground mustard: Ground mustard is a relatively common ingredient used in salad dressings and savory dishes. This particular spice adds an additional nutty flavor that completes the dish.
How to Season Pork Chops
To season your pork chops correctly, use 2 teaspoons of the blend per pound of pork. Season the pork chops generously before cooking and make sure to coat your chops on both sides with the seasonings. Let the seasoning penetrate the meat 20 minutes before cooking to ensure your meat is flavorful on every bite. Check out our full guide on how to cook pork chops.
Pork Chop Seasoning Recipe
This recipe from the Taste of Home Test Kitchen takes just a few minutes to make and will surely become a staple to use on pork chops and other meats. To use this spice blend, aim to use 2 teaspoons per pound of meat.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons kosher salt
3 teaspoons pepper
2 teaspoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon sage (optional)
1/2 teaspoon thyme (optional)
1/2 teaspoon oregano (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard/dried mustard (optional)
Directions
Step 1: Combine ingredients
Simply combine all of your ingredients in a small bowl.
Step 2: Store seasoning
Store in a sealed glass jar for up to six months. It’s best to store this container in a cool, dark place. Your cupboard or pantry is ideal.
Customize Your Pork Chop Seasoning
If you would like more heat on your pork chops, add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes to the mix (you’ll love these Mexican pork chops). If you want your meat to taste more earthy, add 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric or cumin. For a sweeter bite, add a bit more brown sugar to your seasoning mixture. Want more of a peppery bite? You can’t go wrong with an additional 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
You can also make different batches of seasonings to store. Just don’t forget to label them!
How to Use Pork Chop Seasoning
You can certainly use this recipe for other meats! This blend works beautifully on everything from ribs to chicken. If you want to stick to pork, try it on our grilled pork chop recipe.
The post How to Make the Best Pork Chop Seasoning appeared first on Taste of Home.
