This pork chops recipe is a tasty twist on your classic pork chop; flavorful roasted red pepper, a tangy yet sweet wine vinegar-based sauce with garlic, almonds, olive oil, tomatoes, and parsley.
It’s one of my go-to recipes when I want to create something that is both quick and easy to throw together yet full of delicious flavors.
My pork chops with flavorful roasted red pepper sauce are also low-carb, dairy-free, gluten-free, Whole30, and paleo, meaning it’s perfect for any clean-eating household.
Quick Summary
- Keto pork chops with red pepper sauce is a low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, and grain-free dish that involves searing pork chops and topping them with a tangy, sweet roasted red pepper sauce.
- The red pepper sauce is prepared using roasted red peppers, garlic, almonds, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and tomatoes, served over the seared pork chops.
- The dish is versatile, suitable for various dietary preferences, and can be prepared in under 30 minutes, offering flexibility with meal planning.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Number of Servings: 2
Ingredients
For the Pork Chops
- 2 Pork Chops, Around 1.5 Pounds (I get my high-quality pork meat from ButcherBox)
- ½ Teaspoon of Salt
- ½ Teaspoon of Pepper
- ½ Tablespoon of Avocado Oil
For the Red Pepper Sauce
- ½ Red Pepper
- 1 Tomato
- 60g of Roasted Almonds (unsalted)
- 20g of Fresh Parsley
- 30g of Olive Oil
- 1 Clove of Garlic
- 1 Tablespoon of Red Wine Vinegar
- ½ Tablespoon of Salt
Instructions
For the Roasted Red Peppers:
- Preheat the oven to 470ºF.
- Cut the red pepper in half and remove all the seeds. Grab a rimmed baking sheet and place the red pepper cut side down onto the sheet.
- Roast the red pepper for 25 - 30 minutes, or until soft.
- Remove the red pepper from the oven and allow it to cool.
- Peel the outer layer of the red pepper off and discard the skin. The roasted red pepper will be used for the sauce.
For the Pork Chops
- Preheat the oven to 425ºF and place the rack in the middle. At the same time, preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
- Use a paper towel to pat the pork chops dry. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Add pork chops and avocado oil to the skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes. Flip the pork chop over when it reaches a golden brown. Cook for another 3-5 minutes, searing all sides and edges. Remove pork chops and transfer to oven.
- Cooking time will depend on your desired doneness. For medium-well, cook your chops until they reach an internal temperature of 150ºF. Achieving this temperature may take 5-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your pork chops.
- Remove the pork meat from the oven and let it rest on a plate for 5 minutes.
For the Red Pepper Salsa
- Combine the roasted red pepper, almonds, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and tomatoes to create the red pepper sauce.
- Pulse the ingredients using a food processor 20 times until combined. You want the red pepper sauce to resemble a chunky salsa.
- Serve the pork chops warm and top with salsa.
Keto Pork Chops Recipe Notes
- White wine vinegar can be swapped for red, but remember that the flavor may be slightly less intense.
- Fresh tomatoes will work best with this dish; however, canned tomatoes can be used as a substitute.
- Chicken thighs or breasts will also work well with this recipe.
- Pork chops can be stored for 3 - 5 days in an airtight container inside the refrigerator.
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Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 400
- Total Carbs: 6.4g
- Protein: 42.4g
- Fat: 22.8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Net Carbs: 3g
Cooking Keto Pork Chops to Perfection
My favorite way to cook pork chops is to first sear them on the stovetop before transferring them to the oven (like I did in this recipe).
Searing your chops in a pan gives them a wonderfully crispy, golden brown color, and finishing them in the oven allows the pork chop to be cooked gently without drying out.
In my opinion, it gives the most tender finish.
Tips for Buying Pork Chops
To ensure you’re getting the best pork chops possible, look for ones with some marbling and a pinkish color.
The marbling creates some great flavor and makes the meat juicier.
Kaleigh McMordie, a registered dietitian and recipe developer, suggests looking for center-cut chops, because they're going to be lean and tender, and they cook quickly. Boneless loin chops are simple and easy to find while bone-in loin chops are easy to cook and are juicy and flavorful.
If the chops are pale in color or have dark spots on the fat, they are not of good quality.
As I mentioned earlier, I always shop my chops from ButcherBox. They always send me great quality meat that is both delicious and fresh.
FAQs
What Temperature Should You Cook Pork Chops?
You should cook pork chops until they reach an internal temperature of 140ºF - 160ºF. 140ºF - 150ºF for medium-rare, 150ºF - 155ºF for medium, 155ºF - 160ºF for medium-well, and 160ºF for well-done [1].
What Is the Difference Between Boneless Pork Chops and Bone-in Chops?
The difference between boneless pork chops and bone-in chops is that boneless pork chops have excess fat and bone removed.
These chops come trimmed and ready to grill, making them perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Easy Baked Keto Pork Chops With Red Peppers And Almond Sauce
This low-carb recipe is perfect for quick dinners, combing delicious flavors such as garlic, red pepper, tomatoes, and almonds with a tender and juicy pork chop.
Made in less than 30 minutes, this recipe is also low-carb, dairy-free, gluten-free, Whole30, and paleo.
References:
- https://www.pork.org/pork-cooking-temperature/
