Baked Pork Chops Classic Recipe { Gluten- Free } (2024)

Last Updated on April 23, 2021 By Vicky 165 Comments

Baked pork chops make for the easiest 4 ingredient dinner ever.A classic family recipe passed down from my grandmother and the only way I ever make pork chops. Gluten Free too. You only need pork chops, onions, mayo and sharp cheddar (regular or vegan, for a dairy free recipe).

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Baked pork chops are going to be your new favorite way to make pork chops. I can guarantee it. I don’t make pork chops too often but every time I do I always use this recipe. Baked pork chops all the way!

This is a family recipe – one that my mom showed me how to make years ago and I absolutely love love love it. I mean I don’tmeanto brag but this is hands down the best way to make pork chops ever.

My mom rarely made pork chops but whenever she did she always made these baked pork chops. I know there are tons of delicious pork chop recipes out there, but I can never bring myself to betray my true favorite way of preparing pork chops. It was only as an adult that I realized that there are actually other ways that people prepare pork chops, as a child if you asked me I would have assumed you could only make these 4 ingredient baked pork chops.

And yes, of course there’s mayonnaise in this recipe – no true favorite of mine could be without at least a little bit of mayo. That’s how we Russians love to cook. Can’t deny the tenderizing effect mayo seems to have on meat. Seriously though. Want the most moist and tender oven roasted chicken? Slather that thing in a mayo marinade. If you only have one take away from this post today it should be mayo + meat = very tender meat. Something magical just seems to happen when meat and mayo come together. Let those two hang out for a bit and they both become the best versions of themselves.

With this dish it is very important to get thin cut pork chops – the thinner the better (or get thick ones and cut them in half width wise)- and you absolutely mustmust musttenderize the meat on both sides with a meat hammer.

Don’t have one? Not a problem – use some other kitchen utensil. Before I bought a meat hammer (affiliate link) I used a potato masher (which I obviously thoroughly washed before reusing it to make mashed potatoes) or an empty wine bottle!

Just about any solid kitchen tool will do though. Tenderizing meat is also a great way to get rid of some pent up frustration. Beat that meat to a pulp! Get that bad energy out.

This baked pork chops recipe is all about simplicity. With the right combo of basic ingredientsthe final dish is out of this world. Here you only need thin cut pork chops, sliced onions, mayonnaise and dairy free cheddar (or regular extra sharp cheddar). Salt and pepper help too. When I first shared this recipe I was still eating cheese, but now that I have switched to a dairy free diet I have tested out this recipe with a vegan cheese instead.

And the recipe is still magical,meaning you can enjoy this baked pork chops recipe even if you are following a dairy free diet!

If you are eating cheese the best one to go with here is the extra sharp cheddar – that “extra” added in really gives a stronger taste and flavor. If onions aren’t your thing feel free to omit them, in which case this becomes a three ingredient recipe.

You just need a large baking tray lined with aluminum foil where you can neatly place the pork chops side by side, if you leave no extra spaces between each pork chop it makes the layering of the rest of the ingredients even easier. If you’ll notice, in the photo I used a cast iron pan but this recipe will be delicious in either a cast iron baking pan or just a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

Then you just sprinkle with salt and pepper, toss on those onions, lather generously with mayo and sprinkle with grated cheese.

Throw that in the oven and sit patiently enjoying the fragrant aroma that fills the entire kitchen. This is seriously one of my favorite comfort food recipes that brings me back to my childhood with my grandmother and my parents. I know this is a classic family favorite that you will love and make over and over again (as we have over the years).

Why These Pork Chops are the Best:

• Only 4 key ingredients needed
• That lather of mayonnaise makes the meat super tender
• Ultimate family comfort food
• Easy to make a huge batch
• Always a favorite for both kids and adults

Recipe Tips:

• Be sure to purchase thin cut pork chops
• Make sure to pound the meat with a meat hammer (or other kitchen tool) (affiliate link) to make for more tender pork chops
• Bake on a cast iron skillet/pan if you have one
• Do not use bone in pork chops
• If using dairy free cheese, at the end of baking time, broil the pork chops for a few minutes to get the cheese to bubble up a bit

Recipe Variations:

• Instead of extra sharp cheddar use a vegan cheese for a dairy free recipe or use your favorite grated cheese
• Omit the onions if you are not an onion fan
• Add your favorite spices to add more flavor to the pork chops
• For garlic lovers feel free to add minced garlic to the mayo or add in some Dijon mustard
• In place of mayo you could sprinkle some extra virgin olive oil on the pork chops instead
• Instead of pork chops try using pounded chicken thighs

So when you’re looking for a new family favorite be sure to try making my four ingredient oven baked pork chops.

Looking for more easy dinner recipes? Check out some of my other favorite dinner recipes:

• 4 Ingredient Artichoke and Garlic Broiled Chicken Thighs {GF, DF}
• Bacon Quinoa with Sweet Potatoes {GF, DF}
• Slow Cooker Asian Chicken {GF, DF}
• Paleo One Pan Chicken and Veggies {GF, DF}
• Grilled Chicken Thighs {GF, DF}
• 5 Ingredient Pesto Chicken Sheet Pan Dinners {GF, DF}
• BLT Summer Roll Recipe with Avocado {GF, DF]
• Caribbean Fish Curry {GF, DF}
• Seared Chilean Sea Bass Recipe with Vietnamese Glaze {GF, DF}
• Asian Pork Tenderloin Recipe {DF}

If you try my oven baked pork chops please leave a comment below letting me know what you think!

Helpful kitchen tools for this recipe:

• OXO Good Grips Meat Tenderizer(affiliate link)– so much easier to pound meat with a real meat hammer instead of always having to find odd objects around the kitchen to use for this task and for $15 this is a steal!
• Lodge 12 inch Cast Iron Skillet(affiliate link)– while you can prepare this recipe in a regular sheet pan, I prefer to cook everything in cast iron skillets and this one, currently priced at $26 is a steal!
• Looking for the best quality pork chops you can find? I opt to buy my meat and poultry products through a Butcher Box subscription box. You can sign up with this link (affiliate link)(which also includes 2 free pounds of grass fed ground beef in every order)!

How to makebaked pork chops

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