Can You Bake Frozen Pork Chops

You can bake frozen pork chops in the oven but it will increase the cooking time by up to 50%. You will want to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.

Generally, oven-baked pork chops take about 15 minutes to cook so plan to cook frozen pork chops for approximately 22 to 25 minutes.

Life is busy and we all get distracted. What if you planned to serve pork chops for dinner but forgot to remove them from the freezer to defrost? No problem just follow the steps below to cook your frozen pork chops in the oven.

Generally, it is not recommended to cook larger cuts of meat from frozen. But since pork chops are thin they are just fine to cook without thawing them first. Remember frozen meat will need to cook for longer so be prepared to wait a little longer for dinner.

Why You Will Like This Recipe

• Since pork chops are evenly sized they are easy to cook from frozen. No defrosting is necessary.
• These pork chops are juicy, tender, and perfectly seasoned with a delicious spice rub.
• Oven-baking pork chops are an easy mostly hands-off cooking method freeing you up to focus on side dishes.

Ingredients

Pork Chops: You can use thin-cut pork chops, boneless pork chops, bone-in pork chops, boneless chops, or thicker pork chops. Remember the thickness of the pork chop will affect the cooking time.

Seasoning: This recipe is made with a delicious dry rub made from a combination of brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, ground mustard, salt, and black pepper. 

Oil: I typically use regular olive oil but you could also use avocado oil, coconut oil, or grapeseed oil.

See the recipe card below for the exact amounts.

Directions

Note: Depending upon how the pork chops were frozen you may need to thaw them in the microwave or under running cold water for a few minutes, just until they can be separated.

Move the oven rack to the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. A low oven temperature is best to avoid burning the outside of the pork chop before the interior is fully cooked.

In a small bowl, whisk together all of the seasoning ingredients.

Rub your preferred oil over the pork chops, and then sprinkle the seasoning mix over the pork chops coating both sides.

Place the pork chops in a single layer in an oven-safe casserole or baking dish.

Bake pork chops for 35 to 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the chops. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork chops.

Allow the pork chops to rest for 3-5 minutes, before serving.

Alternative Cooking Methods

There are several different ways you can cook frozen chops.

Stovetop

1. In a small bowl, whisk together all of the seasoning ingredients.
2. Rub your preferred oil over the pork chops, and then sprinkle the seasoning mix over the pork chops coating both sides.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
4. Sear the pork chops for 4 to 5 minutes per side.
5. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
6. Cook the pork chops for another 10 to 15 minutes
7. Remember to flip the pork chops frequently to ensure even cooking.
8. Remove the pork chops once the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature.
9. Allow the pork chops to rest for 3-5 minutes, before serving.

Air Fryer

1. Place the frozen pork chops in a single layer in the air fryer, and set the temperature to 380 degrees Fahrenheit, cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the pork chops are defrosted.
2. While the pork chops are defrosting, in a small bowl, whisk together all of the seasoning ingredients.
3. Once defrosted, rub your preferred oil over the pork chops, and then sprinkle the seasoning mix over the pork chops coating both sides.
4. Return the seasoned pork chops to the air fryer basket, and cook for 12 to 16 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Remove the pork chops once the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature.
6. Allow the pork chops to rest for 3-5 minutes, before serving.

Grill

1. Heat the grill to medium heat.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together all of the seasoning ingredients.
3. Rub your preferred oil over the pork chops, and then sprinkle the seasoning mix over the pork chops coating both sides.
4. Cook times will vary depending on the thickness of your pork chops. A boneless ¾-inch chop should cook for 6 to 9 minutes per side, while a bone-in chop measuring 1-½-inch thick may need to cook for 50 minutes on the grill.
5. Remember to flip the pork chops frequently to ensure even cooking.
6. Remove the pork chops once the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature.
7. Allow the pork chops to rest for 3-5 minutes, before serving.

Note: Frozen pork chops should never be cooked in a slow cooker. Unfortunately, slow cookers will not cook the frozen pork chops fast enough. Meaning they will spend too much time in the "danger zone" at and unsafe lower temperature allowing the growth of bacteria.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this pork chop recipe with your favorite sides. Some of my favorites include:

• Asiago Creamed Spinach
• Kale Apple Salad
• Crispy Twice Baked Potato Cups
• Cacio e Pepe Hash Brown Casserole
• Roasted Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad
• Baked Provel Macaroni and Cheese

Storage

Let the pork chops cool to room temperature before storing. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to four days.

To reheat the pork chops, place them in an oven-safe dish and cover the dish with aluminum foil. Bake them in a 300-degree Fahrenheit oven until heated through, about 10 to 12 minutes.

The pork can also be reheated in the microwave. Microwave the pork in 30-second intervals until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips

• Have a favorite dry rub or seasoning? Go ahead and rub it on the pork instead.
• The thickness of the pork chops will affect the cooking time. The thicker the pork chop the longer it will take to cook.
• Not over-cooking pork chops is the secret to creating a juicy pork chop.
• The best way to determine if the pork chops are fully cooked is with a meat thermometer. The pork chops should have an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

📖 Recipe

Frozen Oven Baked Pork Chops

Author: Erica Schramek

What if you planned to serve pork chops for dinner but forgot to remove them from the freezer to defrost? No problem just follow the steps below to cook your frozen pork chops in the oven.

5 from 1 vote

Cook Mode

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Additional Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Pork Recipes

Cuisine American

Servings 4 Servings

Calories 298 kcal

Equipment

• ▢
  small bowl
• ▢
  oven-safe baking dish
• ▢
  instant thermometer

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
• ▢ 2 teaspoons paprika
• ▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 4 pork chops

Instructions

 

• Move the oven rack to the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. A low oven temperature is best to avoid burning the outside of the pork chop before the interior is fully cooked.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon ground mustard, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon chili powder, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper.
• Rub your preferred 2 tablespoons olive oil over the 4 pork chops, and then sprinkle the seasoning mix over the pork chops coating both sides.
• Place the pork chops in a single layer in an oven-safe casserole or baking dish.
• Bake the pork chops for 35 to 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature.
• Allow the pork chops to rest for 3-5 minutes, before serving.

Notes

Storage

• Let the pork chops cool to room temperature before storing. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to four days.
• To reheat the pork chops, place them in an oven-safe dish and cover the dish with aluminum foil. Bake them in a 300-degree Fahrenheit oven until heated through, about 10 to 12 minutes.
• The pork can also be reheated in the microwave. Microwave the pork in 30-second intervals until heated through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 298kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 29gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 653mgPotassium: 557mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 583IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 1mg

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