:Pork chop

The center cut or pork loin chop includes a large T-shaped bone and is structurally similar to the beef T-bone steak.{{Cite web |date=19 August 2014 |title=Pork Cuts: A Visual Guide |url=https://cimeatbook.com/pork-cuts-a-visual-guide/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 January 2017 |website=cimeatbook.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007222341/https://cimeatbook.com/pork-cuts-a-visual-guide/ |archive-date=7 October 2016}} Rib chops come from the rib portion of the loin, and are similar to rib eye steaks. Blade or shoulder chops come from the spine and tend to contain much connective tissue. The sirloin chop is taken from the (rear) leg end and also contains much connective tissue. The shoulder end produces chops that are considerably fattier than the chops taken from the loin end.

The "Iowa Chop" is a large thick center cut with its name coined in 1976 by the Iowa Pork Producers Association due to the state producing more pork than any other in the nation.{{Cite journal |last=Devine |first=Jenny Barker |date=2009 |title="Hop to the Top with the Iowa Chop": The Iowa Porkettes and Cultivating Agrarian Feminisms in the Midwest, 1964-1992 |journal=Agricultural History |volume=83 |issue=4 |pages=477–502 |doi=10.3098/ah.2009.83.4.477 |issn=0002-1482 |jstor=40607530 |pmid=19860029}} The center-cut loin is often over {{convert|1|in|cm}} thick, and likened to a quality cut of beef due to its size and tenderness.{{cite book |last1=Roupe |first1=Diane |title=The Blue Ribbon Country Cookbook |date=2009 |publisher=Thomas Nelson |isbn=9781418568214 |page=156}}

A "Bacon Chop" is cut from the shoulder end and leaves the pork belly meat attached.Food and Wine Magazine August 2008{{full citation needed|date=April 2025}} Pork chops are sometimes sold marinated, or they can be prepared at home to add flavor; marinades such as a chili sauce or a barbecue sauce are common. As pork is often cooked more thoroughly than beef, thus running the risk of drying out, pork chops can be brined to maintain moistness.{{Cite news |last1=Myhrvold |first1=Nathan |last2=Young |first2=Chris |date=26 May 2011 |title=Cooking pork safely: the science |newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/may/26/cooking-pork-safely-the-science |url-status=live |access-date=24 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008025042/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/may/26/cooking-pork-safely-the-science |archive-date=8 October 2016}} One could also wrap pork chops in bacon to add further moistness during the cooking process.

Pork chops are suitable for roasting, grilling, or frying, but there are also stuffed recipes.{{sfn|Mylan|Turkell|2014|page=113}}{{sfn|Lewis|2015}}{{sfn|Dyer|2020}}{{sfn|Schumer|2021}}{{sfn|Lampe|Horton|2013}} They can be used boneless or bone-in. Pork chops are usually cut between {{convert|1/2|and|2|in|cm|0|abbr=off}} thick. Improved breeding techniques have made it possible to cook pork to a lower temperature, helping it to remain juicy, while still being safe to eat.{{Cite web |date=24 May 2011 |title=New USDA Guidelines Lower Pork Cooking Temperature |url=http://www.pork.org/News/1208/NewUSDAGuidelinesLowerPorkCookingTemperature.aspx#.UurdKFZdXud |url-status=dead |access-date=30 January 2014 |website=Pork Checkoff |publisher=National Pork Board|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202222926/http://www.pork.org/News/1208/NewUSDAGuidelinesLowerPorkCookingTemperature.aspx#.UurdKFZdXud |archive-date=2 February 2014}} United States government guidelines recommend a minimum cooking temperature of {{convert|145|F|C}}.{{Cite news |title=Pork Cooking Temperature - Pork.org |language=en-US |work=Pork.org |url=https://www.pork.org/pork-cooking-temperature/ |url-status=live |access-date=2021-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624042916/https://www.porkbeinspired.com/pork-cooking-temperature/ |archive-date=2017-06-24}}

It is a versatile cut of meat, which can be transformed into many different dishes and recipes.{{sfn|Mylan|Turkell|2014|page=113}}{{sfn|Lewis|2015}}{{cite web |url=https://www.foodnetwork.com/topics/pork-chop-recipes |title=Pork Chop Recipes|publisher=The Food Network |quote=Find new inspiration for a dinnertime staple with top-rated recipes from Food Network chefs. |accessdate=May 29, 2021}}{{sfn|Dyer|2020}}{{sfn|Schumer|2021}}{{sfn|Lampe|Horton|2013}}

{{Portal|Food}}

• List of pork dishes

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{cite book |last1=Dyer |first1=Sandra |title=Oh! 444 Homemade Pork Chop Recipes: A Homemade Pork Chop Cookbook for All Generation. |location=N.p. |publisher=Independently Published |isbn=979-8-6977-6840-2 |date=October 14, 2020 |type=Paperback |format=E-book on Kindle (free) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=My75zQEACAAJ}}
• {{Cite book |last1=Kelly |first1=Denis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=shm8Da8WVZAC&q=%22pork+chops%22+meat+popularity+in+united+states&pg=PA104 |page=104|title=Williams-Sonoma Collection: Steak & Chop |last2=Williams |first2=Chuck |last3=Caruso |first3=Maren |date=November 8, 2004 |location=New York, New York USA|publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-0-7432-6186-9 |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171103000419/https://books.google.com/books?id=shm8Da8WVZAC&pg=PA104&lpg=PA104&dq=%22pork+chops%22+meat+popularity+in+united+states |archive-date=2017-11-03}}
• {{cite book |title=Pork Chop: 60 Recipes for Living High On the Hog |first1=Ray |last1=Lampe |isbn=978-1-4521-2980-8 |date=November 26, 2013 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lokjGdzT6MUC&dq=Lampe,+Ray+2013++Pork+Chop:+60+Recipes+for+Living+High+On+the+Hog++ISBN+9781452129808.+ISBN+1452129800&pg=PA6|type=Ebook |publisher=Chronicle Books LLC |language=English |last2=Horton |first2=Jody, Photographs}}
• {{cite book |title=101 Pork Chop Recipes: Extraordinary and Delicious Pork Chop Recipes for Everyday Meals |first1=J. J. |last1=Lewis |isbn=978-1-5077-8512-6 |date=January 30, 2015 |type=Paperback |publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform}}
• {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PkNOAwAAQBAJ&q=Pork+chop |title= The Meat Hook Meat Book: Buy, Butcher, and Cook Your Way to Better Meat |location=New York |first1=Tom |last1=Mylan |isbn=978-1-57965-527-3 |date=May 20, 2014 |page=102 |type=Hardcover |publisher=Artisan |language=English |first2=Michael Harlan, Photographs |last2=Turkell}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.thespruceeats.com/best-pork-chop-recipes-4177201 |title=41 Pork Chop Dinners the Entire Family Will Love |quote=There are endless ways to enjoy this versatile cut of meat |first1=Lizz |last1=Schumer |date=March 30, 2021 |work=The Spruce Eats |access-date=May 29, 2021}}

{{Commons category|Pork chops|lcfirst=yes}}

• [https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/meat-preparation/fresh-pork-from-farm-to-table/CT_Index USDA Fresh Pork from Farm to Table]

{{Pigs}}

Category:Cuts of pork

Category:American pork dishes