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Comforting Southern Smothered Pork Chops Recipe with Rich Onion Gravy Made Easy

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A soulful southern classic featuring juicy bone-in pork chops smothered in a rich, silky caramelized onion gravy. Perfect for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in pork chops, about 1-inch thick
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Place the flour in a shallow dish and dredge each chop until lightly coated, shaking off excess flour. (About 10 minutes)
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large heavy skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat until melted and hot but not smoking. Add the pork chops and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Remove chops to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm. (8-10 minutes)
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the pan, then add the sliced onions. Stir to coat and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft, translucent, and beginning to brown (about 15 minutes).
  4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour over the onions and stir well to coat, cooking for another 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
  5. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add Worcestershire sauce and thyme. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let thicken for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until gravy is smooth and glossy.
  6. Nestle the seared pork chops back into the gravy. Cover the pan and reduce heat to low. Let simmer gently for about 10-15 minutes, turning chops halfway through, until pork is cooked through (internal temperature of 145°F / 63°C) and tender.
  7. Taste the gravy and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve the pork chops smothered in the rich onion gravy, ideally over creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice.

Notes

If the gravy gets too thick, add a splash more broth or water to loosen it. Do not rush the onion caramelization for best flavor. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or plant-based spread. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and tamari instead of Worcestershire sauce if needed. Avoid overcrowding the pan when searing pork chops to get a nice crust.

Nutrition

Keywords: southern smothered pork chops, onion gravy, comfort food, pork chops recipe, easy dinner, caramelized onions, weeknight meal

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