These easy oven pork chops are just the thing for when you're wondering what to do with those pork chops!
I have a zillion recipes for cooking chicken. Pork chops, not so much. They are always a challenge for me, yet I always have a package or five in my freezer. I suspect I'm not alone, so I thought I'd share one of my "go to", easy oven pork chop recipes. It's not the prettiest dish, for sure, but it's definitely tasty!
These St. Louis Style BBQ Pork Chops are both easy and delicious. And saucy. And crowd-pleasing. And made with basic pantry items. And mostly just cooks off in the oven, so the hands-on time is minimal. All good things!
Pork chops cooked up with a generous amount of tomato based bbq sauce, are both easy and family-pleasing. Also great for feeding a crowd!
Cook's Notes for St. Louis Style BBQ Pork Chops
You can adjust the amount of chilli powder you add to taste and/or who you're serving.
This recipe calls for bone-in, thick pork chops with some fat marbling. This will ensure that your pork chops are nice and moist.
While you don't need a super-thick pork chop, it's best not to start with the super-thin ones, as they are a little skimpy for this dish and more likely to overcook.
The cooking time will vary depending on how thick your pork chops are and whether they are bone-in or not.
If your sauce is still a little thin after broiling, simply flip your pork chops over, stir the sauce around a bit and broil again.
Serve this saucy pork chop dish with mashed potatoes and a green veg, for an easy and delicious meal!
St. Louis Style BBQ Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon (diced)
- 1-2 tsp chili powder
- 3 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
- 1/2 small onion (chopped)
- 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes (or if you only have whole canned tomatoes, you can puree and measure out instead)
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup whole-grain mustard
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp. kosher salt (plus more to taste (less if using fine salt))
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 6 thick bone-in pork chops (about 3 lb., 3/4-1 inch thick with some fat cap and marbling of fat)
- 2 Tbsp. cooking oil
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 F.
- In a large saucepan, heat bacon over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until just starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Add chili powder, garlic and onions and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes. Taste and add additional salt and pepper, as needed, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Season pork with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add meat and cook, turning once, until browned on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Transfer pork to a 9 × 13-inch baking dish and pour sauce on top of pork, to cover pork chops. Bake, uncovered, about 30-40 minutes, or until pork is cooked through (140F when tested with thermometer). *NOTE: Baking time will be totally dependent on the thickness of the chops you start with. Thicker pork will take longer. Thinner will take less.
- Remove from oven and heat the broiler in your oven, with a rack at about 6-8 inches away from the heat source. Return baking dish to oven under the broiler for a 3-5 minutes to caramelize the sauce on the chops slightly.
Pat says
Jennifer I want to say I agree with you. We also have frozen packs.now the last of the kids moved out only the mrs boss and myself I think I will try this as our Thursday night meal. Thanks!
Jennifer says
Do enjoy, Pat :)
Elizabeth says
This recipe is absolutely delicious! The sauce captures the flavor of real St. Louis style pork steaks but with great texture to the sauce. It was almost like candied onions!
I'd like to try this on chicken too! I did use a bit less sugar than the recipe called for. I also seasoned my steaks with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and thyme. Came out great, thanks for the recipe!
Jennifer says
So glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth! Thanks so much :)
Lana says
That sauce is so great. It works for chicken too. Thanks for sharing this fabulous recipe.
Jennifer says
So glad you are enjoying it, Lana! I'm going to try it with chicken :) Thanks!
Tara says
This recipe is amazing we absolutely loved it. Will make again for sure.
Jennifer says
Glad you enjoyed these, Tara! Thanks :)
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Irene :)
Irene (former Ontarian, now PEI) says
So glad you posted this receipe. The pork chops are more economical than spare ribs - and heartier.
You are so correct with cooking times. Thought our chops were thick enough but someone neglected to check!
Another winning receipe!!
Nicole says
I made this last night and it was delicious! The sauce thickens up nicely and it has such a great depth of flavor. I used thicker chops, so they took longer than 40 minutes to cook, but the end result was a really superb meal! This was my first time trying a recipe on this website and I will definitely be back to try more recipes!
Jennifer says
So glad you enjoyed this, Nicole! We love it hear for a hearty, easy and tasty meal :) Thanks!
Cindy Rodriguez says
Happy New Year! This looks so delicious and the perfect way to start off the new year. Cheers to 2018!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Cindy! Happy New Year to you, as well :)
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
These look delicious Jennifer! My twin sister is from St. Louis, so I've had something similar quite a few times. I can't wait to try your recipe!
Jennifer says
Thanks Mary Ann and I didn't know you had a twin sister! I've always wanted to visit St. Louis to try their BBQ first hand. On my bucket list :)
Chris Scheuer says
You might not think they look pretty but I think these pork chops look AMAZING! And I bet they're super tender after baking in that wonderful sauce!
Jennifer says
Thank Chris and yes, the chops are fork tender after cooking in the sauce. Perfect :)
Mimi says
That really is a brilliant idea! Never thought to bbq pork chops! Usually it’s larger cuts of meat!
Jennifer says
Thanks Mimi and yes, it's a great way to do chops, too :)
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says
Oh that sauce - and those big, juicy pork chops - you really know how to entice your hungry readers Jennifer! I was going to the store today, but not now. It's blustery, snowing and bitter cold - probably much like your weather. Wish I had chops in my freezer!
Jennifer says
Thanks Tricia and yes, I hear that south of the border is getting some north of the border weather today. Stay warm!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Happy New Year!! That's a whole lotta deliciousness going on!! Looking forward to seeing more in the months ahead, my friend :)
Jennifer says
Thanks Dawn :)
Milena | Craft Beering says
The BBQ sauce sounds awesome! I love pork much more than beef and pork chops are often present on our menu, would love to try your recipe!
Jennifer says
Thanks Milena and yes, we don't eat a ton of beef, but pork is in regular rotation. And my husband has a thing for pork chops, especially, so I'm always looking for tasty ways to cook them up :)
annie@ciaochowbambina says
I would happily sit down to a plate of these pork chops any time of the day or night! Fabulous!! Happy New Year, my friend!
Jennifer says
Thanks Annie!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Happy New Year, girlfriend!! I hope 2018 is treating you well!! As much as I love pork chops, I seem to cook more chicken too! Which is totally a shame, because pork chops are so dang tasty! And these look just AMAZING, Jennifer! Plus I love how easy they are to make! Hello, week night dinner winning! Pinning! Cheers!
Jennifer says
Thanks Cheyanne and yes, perfect for a weeknight dinner, for sure :)
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
You've just made me very hungry, that sauce is epic!
Jennifer says
Thanks Sue and yes, it is a delicious (and easy!) sauce :)