Garlic Butter Pork Chops
Juicy pan-seared pork chops basted in garlic herb butter. A quick, naturally keto dinner with a golden crust and rich, buttery pan sauce.
Pan-seared and basted in butter
A good pork chop needs very little to shine: a hot pan, a golden sear, and a spoonful of garlic butter basted over the top. This technique, borrowed from steakhouse kitchens, keeps the chops juicy and builds a rich pan sauce in minutes.
Pork chops are naturally keto and budget-friendly, making this an easy weeknight win. The garlic herb butter does the heavy lifting on flavor.
- Bring the chops to room temperature first
- Sear hard, then baste with the butter
- Rest before serving to keep them juicy
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Ingredients
- 4 bone-in pork chops, about 1 inch thick (net carbs →)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (net carbs →)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (net carbs →)
- 4 tablespoons butter (net carbs →)
- 5 cloves garlic, smashed (net carbs →)
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
Instructions
- 1Pat the pork chops dry and season both sides with the salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
- 2Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- 3Sear the chops for 3 to 4 minutes per side until deeply golden.
- 4Reduce the heat to medium, add the butter, smashed garlic, thyme, and rosemary.
- 5Tilt the pan and spoon the melted garlic butter over the chops continuously for 1 to 2 minutes, until they reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 6Transfer the chops to a plate, rest for 5 minutes, then spoon the pan butter over the top to serve.
Nutrition (per serving)
Recipe FAQ
How do I keep pork chops from drying out?
Do not overcook them. Pull the chops at 145 degrees Fahrenheit and let them rest; carryover heat finishes the job while keeping them juicy. Bone-in chops also stay moister than boneless.
What sides go well with these?
Roasted asparagus, sauteed green beans, or a cauliflower mash all pair beautifully and stay low in carbs. Drizzle any with the leftover garlic butter from the pan.
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What should I eat today?
Turn the ingredients you like or already have into a keto breakfast, lunch & dinner — net carbs counted.