Pork chops are one of my favorite meals when I’m craving something simple yet packed with flavor. To keep them juicy and tender, I always rely on a homemade seasoning blend that’s filled with fresh, vibrant flavors.
What You’ll Find On This Page
Today, I’m excited to share this pork chop seasoning recipe with you! It’s a mildly sweet, savory, and just slightly spiced mix that brings out the best in any cut—whether you’re using bone-in, boneless, or thick-cut chops. And just like my favorite pork chop, tenderloin marinade, this seasoning works well for grilling, pan-searing, baking, or slow-cooking.
What’s great is you’re not limited to pork; this rub is delicious on chicken, steak, roasted veggies, and even stirred into rice or pasta for a cozy twist. The mix of fresh spices and brown sugar creates a balanced flavor that you can adjust to match your taste.
If you’re looking for a simple way to bring out the best in your pork chops, this seasoning is a perfect choice. It takes less than 10 minutes to make, making it ideal for busy nights when you want a great meal without too much effort!
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
The ingredients you need to make this pork chop seasoning are basic pantry items you might already have in your kitchen. Let’s take a closer look at them below.
- Paprika and Cayenne: Paprika brings a mild heat and subtle sweetness to the blend. If you’re into a smoky flavor, smoked paprika is a great choice! I also add just a dash of cayenne for a little kick, but feel free to adjust based on your spice preference.
- Onion and Garlic Powder: These add a warm, garlicky, and savory depth to the mix.
- Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar both work here, so just use what you have on hand. It adds a hint of caramel-like sweetness that balances the spices perfectly.
- Ground Mustard: Just a little ground mustard gives a nice tang and a mild earthy spice to round out the flavors.
- Black Pepper and Salt: These basics bring out the flavor in every other ingredient. I usually go with fine salt, but kosher salt is a nice choice if you want a bit of texture in the mix.
How to Make Pork Chop Seasoning at Home?
Let’s make a flavorful pork chop seasoning! This simple dry rub comes together quickly—just gather and mix the ingredients, and you’ll have a perfect blend ready. I’ve shared step-by-step instructions, with photos and a helpful video to guide you. Let’s get started!
Explore a Variety of Homemade Seasoning Recipes:
- Steak Seasoning
- Dry Rub for Ribs
- Chicken Seasoning
- Salmon Seasoning
- Blackened Seasoning
- BBQ Spice Rub
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Creole Seasoning
- Adobo Seasoning
- French Fry Seasoning
- Seasoned Salt
Pork Chop Seasoning Dry Rub
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Paprika, plain or smoked
- 1 tbsp Black Pepper Powder
- ½ tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Ground Mustard
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
Making Pork Chop Seasoning
- Start by placing all the ingredients from the list into a bowl. Accurate measurements are key for a balanced flavor, so measure carefully. If you notice any lumps in the brown sugar or spices, just break them up before mixing for a smooth, even spice rub.
- Next, mix everything together with a whisk or spoon until well combined and evenly blended. That’s it—your flavorful pork chop seasoning is now ready to use or store for later!
Using the Seasoning
- Apply this seasoning to your pork chops, steaks, chicken, or even roasted veggies for a flavorful meal. For more ideas, check out the 'How to Use' section below for additional ways to enjoy this spice blend!
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Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Use Quality Spices: Fresh, high-quality spices make all the difference! They bring out the best flavors in your pork chops and other meats. Whenever possible, go for fresh spices to get the most balanced, vibrant taste.
- Avoid Clumping: With brown sugar in the mix, clumping can happen due to its natural moisture. To prevent this, break up any lumps with a spoon or whisk before combining it with other spices. After you make the rub, tightly seal the jar each time to keep it clump-free.
- Spice Check: This seasoning has a mild spice balanced with a touch of sweetness from the brown sugar. But since paprika can range from mild to hot, I recommend checking its heat level before buying so you can match your spice preference.
- Salt Check: Although there’s salt in this seasoning, feel free to adjust it to your taste. Everyone’s salt preference varies, so start with a small amount, then add more as needed.
- Test a Small Amount First: For those trying the seasoning for the first time, it’s a good idea to test a small amount on one chop. This helps adjust for personal spice and salt preferences before seasoning the whole batch.
- Avoid Contamination: To keep your seasoning safe, only take what you need for each use. When handling meat, avoid dipping into the spice container with the same hands. Instead, use a clean utensil to measure out your seasoning and wash your hands well after handling raw meat. This helps keep your spices fresh and free from any contamination.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
How to Use This Pork Chop Seasoning?
This recipe makes enough seasoning to generously coat about 6 pork chops, whether bone-in or boneless. You’ll get a little over a tablespoon of seasoning per chop, which is quite generous!
Feel free to adjust the amount based on your taste. If you prefer a milder flavor, use a bit less, but make sure each chop is coated evenly for the best flavor! I’ve shared simple steps below to help you get the best results with this spice mix.
- Prepare the Pork Chops: Start with fresh or thawed pork chops. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove any moisture—this helps the seasoning stick better.
- Apply the Seasoning: Sprinkle the seasoning over both sides of each pork chop. Avoid rubbing it in, as the brown sugar can clump. Instead, sprinkle it evenly and press down gently to coat the chops. I usually use about 1 tablespoon per chop, but adjust to your taste.
- Let It Sit: For the best flavor, let the seasoned chops sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes. This gives the seasoning time to soak in and infuse the meat with its flavors.
- Cooking: Use your favorite cooking method—grilling, baking, or pan-searing are all great options! Just make sure the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) with 3 minutes of rest time for a juicy, perfectly cooked pork, as recommended by the FDA.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the pork chops rest for a few minutes after cooking, then slice and serve with your favorite side dishes.
Other Ways to Use This Spice Rub
This dry rub isn’t just for pork! It adds great flavor to all kinds of dishes. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it—you might enjoy trying these, too!
- Chicken: Sprinkle this seasoning on chicken breasts, thighs, or wings before baking, grilling, or frying for a flavor boost.
- Steaks: Rub it on steaks or your favorite beef cuts before grilling or pan-searing to enhance their flavor.
- Seafood: This seasoning works well on seafood like salmon, tilapia, or shrimp, adding a savory touch.
- Roasted Vegetables: Try it on roasted veggies like potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, zucchini, or bell peppers for a flavorful side dish.
- Tofu: For a plant-based option, season tofu before baking, pan-searing, or grilling to give it extra flavor.
- Pasta Dishes: Add a sprinkle to pasta sauces or season veggies before tossing with pasta for a tasty twist.
- Rice and Grains: Stir the seasoning into cooked rice, quinoa, barley or couscous for an added layer of flavor.
- Egg Dishes: Mix it into scrambled eggs, omelets, or frittatas for a savory twist at breakfast.
Storage Suggestions
Store this pork chop seasoning in an airtight container at room temperature, and it’ll stay fresh for 2 to 3 months. I like to keep mine away from heat, like the stove, and out of direct sunlight to help it last longer.
Since there’s brown sugar in the mix, it might harden over time. Just seal it tightly after each use to prevent clumping. It's also handy to label the container with a “made on” date and a “best by” date—it’s a simple way to keep track of freshness!
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