Are you tired of dry, tough pork chops that disappoint every time you cook? Prepare to revolutionize your cooking game with the most foolproof method known to home chefs: sous vide! This technique guarantees restaurant-quality pork chops that are impossibly tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Whether you're a cooking novice or a seasoned home chef, this sous vide pork chop recipe will transform your dinner from ordinary to extraordinary, ensuring perfectly cooked meat every single time.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 1 hrs
Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pork chops
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 2 sprigs of thyme
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Pat the pork chops completely dry using paper towels to ensure proper seasoning and searing.
- Season both sides of the pork chops generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring even coverage.
- Fill a large pot or sous vide container with water and attach the sous vide precision cooker, setting the temperature to 140°F (60°C) for medium doneness.
- Place the seasoned pork chops into a vacuum-sealed or zipper-lock bag, adding fresh thyme sprigs and drizzling olive oil over the meat.
- Carefully lower the sealed bag into the preheated water bath, ensuring the chops are fully submerged and not overlapping.
- Cook the pork chops for 1 hour, maintaining a consistent water temperature.
- Once cooking time is complete, remove the bag from the water bath and carefully take out the pork chops.
- Pat the chops dry again with fresh paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over high heat with a small amount of olive oil.
- Sear each side of the pork chops for 30-45 seconds to develop a golden-brown crust and enhance flavor.
- Let the pork chops rest for 3-5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
- Slice and serve immediately, optionally garnishing with fresh thyme leaves.
Tips
- Always use a meat thermometer to verify internal temperature for precise doneness.
- Pat the pork chops completely dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect sear.
- Use high-quality, thick-cut pork chops (at least 1-inch thick) for best results.
- Don't skip the final searing step - it adds crucial flavor and texture.
- Let the meat rest after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness.
- Experiment with different herb combinations like rosemary or sage for unique flavor profiles.
- If you don't have a vacuum sealer, use the water displacement method with a zipper-lock bag.
- Invest in a reliable sous vide precision cooker for consistent results.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 400kcal
Carbohydrates: 0g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 90mg
