4.9 from 39 votes
Pickle Juice-Brined Pork Chops
Did you know that the leftover juice in your pickle jar makes a fantastic brine for tender, juicy pork chops? Terrific, right? And to be honest, it's even better than it sounds.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
3 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 527 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- Four (10-ounce) bone-in pork chops (about 3/4-inch | 2 cm thick)
- 1 1/2 cups dill pickle juice from a 24-ounce (710 ml) jar
- Coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons sunflower or other mild-tasting oil
- 16 fresh dill sprigs (optional)
Instructions
- Place the pork chops in shallow dish and pour the pickle juice over. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator, turning occasionally, for at least 3 hours and up to overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Drain off and discard the brine. Pat the pork chops dry and season with salt and pepper.
- In a large cast-iron skillet set over medium-high heat, warm the oil until shimmering but not smoking. If using the dill sprigs, press half onto 1 side of the pork chops. Place the pork chops, dill-side down, in the skillet and cook until browned and crisp on that first side, about 3 minutes. Press the rest of the dill on the top side of the pork chops and flip. Immediately transfer the skillet to the oven.
- Roast the pork chops for about 10 minutes, until the meat springs back when you give it a forceful poke with your finger, 145°F (60°C) on an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion. The timing will vary somewhat depending on the thickness of your chops.
- Let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before digging in.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Serving
1portion
Calories
527kcal
(26%)
Carbohydrates
6g
(2%)
Protein
61g
(122%)
Fat
27g
(42%)
Saturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Monounsaturated Fat
14g
Trans Fat
0.2g
Cholesterol
190mg
(63%)
Sodium
1467mg
(61%)
Fiber
0.01g
(0%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 527
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1portion | |
| Calories | 527kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 61g | 122% |
| Fat | 27g | 42% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 190mg | 63% |
| Sodium | 1467mg | 61% |
| Fiber | 0.01g | 0% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.