Stuffed Pork Chops

Name: Stuffed Pork Chops
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 4 bone-in pork loin chops (about 1 1/2-inch thick (or swap pork rib chops)); 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 large shallot (finely chopped); 1/2 teaspoon dry rubbed sage; 1/2 cup Italian seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs; 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese; 1 large egg (lightly beaten); 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons canola oil

Stuffed Pork Chops are exceptionally moist and stuffed with a mixture of herbs and breadcrumbs that reminds me of Thanksgiving stuffing in the best possible way. This homey recipe will have you asking yourself why you don’t cook pork chops more often.

stuffed pork chops with cheese on a plate

I’ve made it my goal to unlock the secrets to making pork chops tender, enjoyable, and easy for you to make at home.

We’ve covered some excellent ground so far.

Grilled Pork Chops taught us about brining (salting meat to lock in its moisture).
Smothered Pork Chops bake in, and soak up, a creamy sauce.
Breaded Pork Chops have a perfect crispy coating

And now, we’ve arrived at one of my absolute favorite ways to cook moist, tender meat AND infuse it with restaurant-worthy flavor at the same time: stuffing.

Slicing a pocket into the pork chops, then filling it with a moist, savory mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and herbs insulates the meat from within as it cooks.
Stuffing has the added bonus of giving you tasty bites of filling with every forkful.

oven stuffed bone in pork chops on a plate

The Best Stuffing for Pork Chops

While I usually opt for Italian and mozzarella cheese-stuffed fillings (like this Stuffed Pork Tenderloin, Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast, and Stuffed Salmon), rather than default to Italian stuffed pork chops, I felt a pull towards something that felt more snug and tucked-in, as if my dinner were taking care of me from the inside-out.

I achieved this by using a few specific ingredients.

Sage. Of all herbs in my pantry, nothing says “let me hug you” quite like sage. Sage is also a wonderful pairing with pork.
Breadcrumbs + Parmesan. Herby breadcrumbs and savory Parmesan add wonderful flavor, texture, and an unmistakable sense of comfort.

Forget the stuffed pork chops with Stove Top stuffing (and definitely stuffed pork chops with cream of mushroom soup)! This homemade stuffing is SO much better.

slice of stuffed pork chops with stuffing and cheese on a plate

How to Make Stuffed Pork Chops

Stuffing sounds fancy, but it’s surprisingly easy and the results are superb.

This recipe comes together in three parts:

Make the filling in a skillet, then stuff the pork chops.
Sear the outsides of the pork in the same skillet to give them color, a pleasing exterior texture, and an additional layer of flavor.
Baked the stuffed pork chops in the oven covered with foil.

That’s it! Now you know how to make pork chops with stuffing inside from scratch.

Tip!

Baking the pork on a rack in a roasting pan with a little bit of water and covering the pork chops with foil creates a mega moist environment and allows the chops to cook through without drying out.

The Ingredients

Pork Chops. You can use pork loin chops or pork rib chops. For best results, make sure the chops are at least 1 1/2 inches thick and choose bone-in.

Types of Pork Chops

Pork chops come in a variety of cuts, and their names are not always standardized.

The good news is just about any thick-cut, bone-in pork chop works well for stuffing!

Loin Chop. These come from the hip and loin and sometimes contain some of the pork tenderloin. (Also called: Center-cut loin chop, pork loin end chop, porterhouse, or top-loin chop.)
Rib Chop. Cut from the lower loin. These are tender and have a little more fat than loin chops. (Also called: Center-cut rib chop, pork rib cut chop, pork chop end cut, or rib end cut.)
Blade Chop. Cut from the shoulder. These are the fattiest of all of the cuts and have the darkest meat. (Also called: blade chop, blade-end chop, pork shoulder chop, or pork shoulder blade steak.)
Boneless Chops. These can be thick- or thin-cut. They are essentially rib or loin chops from which the bone has been removed.

I recommend using bone-in pork chops, as the bone helps create more moist results and flavors the meat.

Personally, I prefer to cook stuffed pork loin or stuffed pork rib chops, as these two cuts are the most lean.

stuffed pork chops with stuffing on a plate

Salt + Pepper. Seasoning the pork with salt and pepper before cooking helps add flavor. Salt is also what tenderizes pork the best.
Sage. A pinch of rubbed sage is the secret to the stuffing’s welcome hominess.
Shallot. Sauteing shallot with butter creates a flavorful base for the stuffing.

Market Swap

Shallots are closely related to onions, garlic, and chives. To substitute shallot, use 1/2 of a yellow onion or white onion.

Breadcrumbs. I used Italian seasoned breadcrumbs for an herby touch that requires zero extra effort.

TIP!

For an extra nutritional boost, use whole wheat Italian breadcrumbs if you can find them (our grocery store sells them next to the regular breadcrumbs).

Egg. This might sound a little surprising, but adding an egg to the breadcrumb stuffing at the end helps thicken and moisten it (just like when you add eggs to regular stuffing).
Parmesan Cheese. A nutty, salty touch that gives the filling nuance.
Flour. Dredging (a.k.a. coating) the pork chops in flour before searing the outsides gives them a scrumptious, golden brown exterior.

The Directions

cuts of bone in pork chops used to make stuffed pork chops

Dry and season the pork chops.

shallot and sage sauteing in a skillet for stuffed pork chops

Saute the shallots and sage in butter.

Parmesan for stuffed pork chops in a skillet

Add the Parmesan and breadcrumbs.

stuffing in a skillet for stuffed pork chops

Stir the beaten egg into the stuffing mixture.

cutting pork chops for stuffing with knife

Cut a pocket in each pork chop.

pork chops filled with stuffing for the oven

Stuff the pork chops and secure with toothpicks.

stuffed pork chops with Parmesan on a skillet

Dredge each pork chop with flour, then brown on both sides.

Place the pork chops on a rack or ring of foil in a roasting pan and fill the pan with a little bit of water. Cover, and bake the pork chops at 325 degrees F for 25 to 35 minutes, until an internal temperature of 135 degrees F (the temperature will rise as the pork rests). ENJOY!

How To Know When Stuffed Pork Chops Are Done

Stuffed pork chops should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
Since the pork’s temperature will continue to rise as it rests, I typically remove my pork from the oven at 135 degrees F. The carryover cooking takes it to temperature and I have never had my pork underdone.
The best way to test the temperature of your pork and other meat is with an instant read thermometer.

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate leftover pork chops in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
To Reheat. Gently rewarm pork chops in the air fryer or oven at 350 degrees F, in the microwave, or in a skillet on the stove.
To Freeze. Stuffed pork chops can be frozen. Freeze leftover pork chops in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Meal Prep Tip

Prepare the stuffing and cut a pocket in the pork chops up to 1 day in advance; store separately in the refrigerator.

You can also fully stuff the pork 1 day in advance. Let come to room temperature prior to continuing with the recipe.

Leftover Ideas

Diced-up leftover pork chops are an excellent addition to pasta dishes like Mushroom Pasta or Butternut Squash Pasta.

What to Serve with Stuffed Pork Chops

Here are some great side dishes that go well with stuffed pork chops:

Rice. For a classic pairing, serve stuffed pork chops with rice. See How to Make Brown Rice, or try Lemon Rice. For something more elevated, try Wild Rice Stuffing.
Vegetables. Serve this stuffed pork chop recipe alongside Sauteed Brussels Sprouts, Air Fryer Broccoli, or Sauteed Cabbage.
Potatoes. Since the oven will be busy, use a different appliance. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes or Crockpot Sweet Potatoes would both hit the spot! Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes are another great alternative.
Salad. Arugula Salad would pair nicely with this pork recipe.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Instant Thermometer. This meat thermometer is super accurate, in my experience, for oven and grilling temperatures.
Paring Knife. One-piece carbon blade for a lighter weight without sacrificing strength.
Roasting Pan. With a chrome-plated raised rack, this pan is perfect for this recipe!

Thanks to three nights of recipe testing in a row, I think just about every one of our neighbors has tasted these stuffed pork chops.

All votes are firmly in favor. I hope these stuffed pork chops are as big a hit with your family as they are on our block!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are My Stuffed Pork Chops Tough?

If your stuffed pork chops are always dry and tough, it’s likely because they are overcooked. Removing your pork before it’s overcooked is the secret to making tender pork chops.

If you’ve overcooked your pork chops, don’t panic! You can make baked stuffed pork chops with gravy to add moisture. Mushroom Gravy is a great option.

Can You Cook Stuffed Pork Chops in a Crock Pot?

While I enjoy Crock Pot Pork Chops for an easy, hands-free option, I don’t recommend making stuffed pork chops in a crock pot. Stuffed pork chops should be cooked quickly for the best, most tender results.

How Do You Cook Pork Chops so They Don’t Dry Out?

Paying close attention to the cooking time and checking the pork’s temperature are how you keep pork chops from drying out in the oven. This recipe also combats dry, tough pork in another way. The water in the bottom of the roasting pan is how you keep pork chops moist when cooking in the oven.

Should I Cover My Pork Chops in the Oven?

For this recipe, it is better to bake pork chops covered. Covering the pork chops helps seal in moisture, ensuring they turn out juicy and tender.

Can You Cook Stuffed Pork Chops in an Air Fryer?

I haven’t tested how to cook stuffed pork chops in an air fryer myself, but I think you could try it. Follow the recipe directions through Step 9. Lay the pork chops in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Cook at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 135 degrees F, flipping halfway through. (See my Air Fryer Pork Chops for more tips on pork in the air fryer.)

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