Restaurant-style salt and pepper pork chops are crispy, juicy, and delightful – ideal for many versatile meal ideas any night of the week. {Gluten-Free adaptable}
There is nothing worse than a dry pork chop. If yours keep coming out that way, then you need to try my salt and pepper pork chops. You’ll master the method of creating incredibly tender and juicy pork, something you can do even after a hectic day. On the outside, the coating has a wonderful crispness to contrast with the juiciness, and all of it comes together for extraordinary flavor.
Is your pantry in need of a refresh? Salt and pepper pork chops can be made with ingredients you likely already have. They are one of my go-to recipes when I’m short on time and ingredients. And if you have company, no one will ever guess how simple they truly are. Rest assured, you can have these on your table in less than 30 minutes and the possibilities you can come up with to enjoy salt and pepper pork chops are endless.
Ingredients
The key to making this recipe pop is the fried garlic and jalapeno chips that you’ll add to it. They add more flavor and spice. With my simple coating, the exterior stays nice and crispy for a long time, while inside, the pork remains succulent.
When you’re ready, your table should have:
- Marinted pork
- Sliced jalapeno and garlic
- Salt and pepper mixture
How to cut pork chop properly
I prefer to use thick-cut boneless chops that’re at least 1” (2.5 cm) thick. So you can cut them into good bite-size chunks that won’t dry out when fried.
To cut the pork chop, tilt your knife to cut the chop into irregular triangles or diamond shapes. The thin edges will crisp up and create a crunchy texture. Plus, the increased surface area will help the pork chop absorb more flavor.
What pan to use
I use my 9” carbon steel pan in this recipe because it allows me to use less oil to cover half of the chops, and the tall pan reduces splattering. Alternatively, you can use a medium-sized pot or even a dutch oven.
Cooking process
Cooking the pork chops is super easy.
- Fry the jalapeno and garlic
- Scoop out the fried pepper and garlic when they turn crispy
- Coat the marinated pork with cornstarch
- Fry the pork in batches until golden brown
- Dry the pork chops on paper towels to get rid of the excess oil
- Toss them with the pepper salt and serve!
NOTE: It’s important to remove the fried garlic and peppers when they just turn pale golden. They will continue to cook after you fish them out, due to the hot oil on the surface. If you wait until they turn golden, they will be overcooked and taste burned later.
How to serve salt and pepper pork chops
Aside from the flavor, what I love most about salt and pepper pork chops is that you can do so many different things with them. You can serve them for an appetizer when you have a dinner party or gathering. You can make them your main dish on any night of the week…just serve them over steamed rice!
Since they stay crispy for a while, you can also use any leftover chops to top off a noodle soup. I have a great Soy Sauce Noodles recipe that is perfect for it, though you can use anything you like. Have fun with these salt and pepper pork chops and get creative with how you use them!
More delicious pork recipes
- Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork, 叉烧肉)
- Chinese Fried Pork Chops
- Sweet and Sour Pork (糖醋里脊)
- Instant Pot Pork Chops with Black Bean Sauce
- Hong Shao Rou (Red Braised Pork, 红烧肉)
- Instant Pot Pork Ribs (Chinese-Style)
Salt and Pepper Pork Chops (椒盐猪排)
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless pork chops , cut into irregular 1/2” to 1” (1 to 2.5 cm) pieces (See the blog post above for how to cut the chops)
Marinade
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Pepper salt
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
Cooking
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or enough to cover half of the pork)
- 3 cloves garlic , sliced
- 1 jalapeno , thinly sliced
Instructions
- Combine the cut pork with the oil, shaoxing wine, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and salt. Mix until the pork is evenly coated. Marinate for 15 minutes.
- Mix the salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Add enough oil to a medium-sized pan to cover half of the pork. Heat over medium heat until hot. Prepare a plate lined with paper towels.
- Add the garlic and peppers to the oil and fry them until the garlic just turns pale golden and the jalapenos crisp up on the edges, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove them from the pan with a slotted spoon, draining the excess oil as you do, and place them onto the paper towel lined plate. Once the peppers and garlic have cooled, transfer them to a big bowl.
- Add the 1/4 cup cornstarch to the marinated pork chops and toss to coat. Add the pork to the pan, a few pieces at a time, so they do not crowd the pan. Cook on each side for 2 to 3 minutes, until the coating is crispy and lightly browned.
- Remove the pork from the pan, draining the excess oil as you do, and place them on the paper towel lined plate. Let rest for at least 10 to 20 seconds, so the paper soaks up some of the oil. Once you’ve cooked all the pork chops, transfer them to the bowl with the pepper and garlic.
- Sprinkle half of the salt and pepper over everything and toss to evenly distribute. Taste the pork and sprinkle with more salt and pepper, if needed.
Video
Nutrition
Lilja Walter is a part of the Omnivore’s Cookbook team and worked closely with Maggie to develop and test this recipe.
What would you use to make it gluten free? It looks delicious
Hi Karen, to make it gluten free you only need to replace the Shaoxing wine with dry sherry. The rest ingredients are gluten free already 🙂
Is there another starch that can be used than corn starch, ? potato, tapioca, wheat, arrowroot?
Yeah you can use potato starch (I used it). Tapioca starch will work too.
Simple and delicious. It was served at my house with steamed veggies and rice and all plates were completely eaten.
It looks great and just the kind of thing kids would like. But have you tried this with other cuts of pork? It seems a pity to cut the bone off a chop. Would pork belly work? Maybe more fatty but it doesn’t look like the most healthy meal anyway.
I wouldn’t use pork belly because the fat part will become very chewy. I think pork belly is the best cut in braised dishes so the fat will melt away and become very tender. I think pork loin might work. If you don’t want to chop off the bone, you can attach the bone to a smaller piece and fry it with the rest. The piece with the bone might takes a bit longer to cook through but it should be tasty.
Hi! Have made this with pork chops – FAB! and I think your answer for me is going to be the same as the one to David, but since i have it on hand… Pork butt will also be chewy here, too. We need a cookbook! I have made so many of your recipes: Thank you! -Mare
We absolutely loved this. That white pepper gets me every time with a kick of heat, but no complaints here. Awesome recipe, and the garlic and jalapeño gives the oil a great flavor to the pork. Thank you! Posted my pic on Instagram but since I’m Private I’m not sure you’ll be able to see it.
Hi Maggie, Thanks so much for publishing these wonderful recipes. I love Chinese food and I’m learning a lot from you. I especially love the food from Szecchuan and western China. A few years ago I spent time as a teacher of English on Chongming (Shanghai). Even there, the best food was from NW China. I often ate at a tiny restaurant where I could watch the noodles being made then, as I ate then food, the owners would come and watch me eat it. Maybe because I was the only westerner in the place which was normally frequented by students and workers. I’m pleased to see the recipe for lanzhou lamian. Now I I have to go try making it. The other favourite was Szechuan-style eggplant (I’ve found a recipe that does the trick on your website.) I also came across little cylindrical servings of a green vegetable that the Chinese were unable to identify by an English name. And calling it “qingcai” doesn’t help as I came across that term used for a different green vegetable every time I asked for greens.
Tasted great, definitely a keeper. Great instructions.
Do you think marinating the pork with sesame oil instead of vegetable oil would cause an overpowering flavor?
I think you can use a bit sesame oil in the marinade but probably 1 to 2 teaspoons, and use a neutral oil for the rest. Otherwise it’s gonna be very strong.
Ok, Maggie. I made this dish last night and was a bit disappointed. The pork ended up a bit dry and I wonder if I should have added some kind of sauce to help with this dryness. This I will do tonight with the leftovers from last night.
thannks
A very easy and delicious recipe. The whole family really enjoyed it. Thanks.
I love the taste the idea everything but mine came out so dry? Not pretty and moist like yours?
For a more juicy result, you do need to pick fatty pork chops. The lean type will end up a bit dry.
The other factor is oil temperature – if the temperature is low, the surface will take time to achieve the color, and the inside might be a bit overcooked.
This recipe was INCREDIBLE! Only suggestion – add more garlic
Husband and I LOVE this recipe!!!! Question: can this be made in the oven?
I think an air fryer might work. For oven, you might need to use convection baking and turn the temperature really high, otherwise the surface won’t brown properly and the inside will overcook. Also, spray the pork with a general amount of oil before cooking helps.
If using an air fryer, do you know what temp and how long to fry it for? Thanks!
I’ve never tried this one in an air fryer, but I would cook at 400 F (200 C) for 8 to 10 minutes. Check it at 8 minute mark and see if it’s cooked. Fry a bit more if needed. To crisp up better, I would further spray the battered pork chop with some more oil.
This Salt and Pepper Pork Chops is so delicious! I used Kikkoman Tamari Less Sodium Soy Sauce to marinade since I dont have an available Shaoxing wine. Yummy! Best paired with Vitasoy Lychee Flavor Vita Juice Drink. The kids loved it, too!
Making this tonight. Would it be ok to marinate it longer, or will it be too gummy?
Thx!
It’s totally OK to marinate it longer – store the marinated pork in the fridge with cover. Happy cooking!
Hi what can i use instead of the Shaoxing wine or dry sherry ?
If you have Japanese sake (rice wine) or beer, you can replace with any of those. If not, you can simply omit it. If you decide to omit the Shaoxing wine, I would add 1 teaspoon soy sauce in the marinade.
Absolutely fantastic!! Simple, easily gluten-free adaptable (celiac household), and downright delicious. I made with a side of white rice and bok choy!
Delicious! Thank you for this great addition to our dinner rotation.
Loved it! I used peanut oil, because years ago I had a different recipe for s&p pork that used that oil. My husband loved it! I made the same tonight using chicken, doubled the jalepenoes, but I would triple them. Very tender!
Checking in from the Air Fryer camp! It worked quite well! I did it at 200C for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. It worked great!
The taste is excellent and I’m really happy with how it all turned out.