What's not to love about pork chops? They're an inexpensive protein you can cook in a variety of ways — and like chicken, pork chops play well with lots of different flavors. Nicole McLaughlin, aka NicoleMcmom, is here to show you four of her favorite ways to cook versatile pork chops for family-pleasing meals. Watch the video up top and scroll down to get the recipes and tips.
How to Buy Pork Chops
Pork chops come two main ways: boneless and bone-in. Nicole uses both in these recipes, and suggests looking for center-cut pork chops for best results.
1. Breakfast Sausage
![breakfast sausage with potato hash and fruit](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/IKzE0pxaU6xsmx0Wdah7CXBo2O4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/16359-breakfast-sausage-ca212bc4869e4ce5958fe7319190139f.jpg)
Get the recipe for Breakfast Sausage.
You can grind your own pork chops in a food processor to make breakfast sausage flavored just the way you like, and without any of the additives or artificial colorings you might get in packaged sausage. Bonus: Making your own breakfast sausage is so much cheaper than buying it ready-made. Use this recipe to form sausage patties or cook it up as crumbles for recipes like breakfast casseroles or biscuits and sausage gravy.
2. Seared Pork Chops
![a browned pork chop topped with halved cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta, and kalamata olives on a plate with mixed greens in the background](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/NKXwksXqZ3NCwn0Ugpn5I1T6O_g=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/9188630_original-2000-07759117ca89436285bee088bd156575.jpg)
Get the recipe for Greek-Inspired Seared Pork Chops.
This quick, one-pan recipe is bursting with flavor and is perfect for a light summer dinner, The pork is well seasoned and the flavor is amplified through the caramelization that occurs during searing. The bright acidity is balanced out with salty, brininess from the topping of olives and feta cheese. Nicole likes to use a non-stick pan to make this recipe because it takes less oil to get a good sear. Boneless pork chops are your best choice here because you'll pound out the chops to a ½-inch thickness so they'll cook quickly and evenly.
3. Breaded Pork Chops
![Crispy Breaded Pork Chops](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/fIdXfVXyEgC0Ylc3xwuuXEUHlew=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Crispy-Breaded-Pork-Chops-2000-667a95f4b19d4928af1304a6e3a355af.jpeg)
Get the recipe for Crispy Breaded Pork Chops.
These simple breaded pork chops are just like the ones Nicole's grandmother made. Dipping them in beaten eggs and seasoned breadcrumbs, and frying them to a golden brown makes them crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside. You'll finish cooking them on a wire rack in the oven to keep the coating nice a crisp. Nicole likes to serve them with mashed potatoes and green beans for a favorite comfort food dinner.
4. Grilled Pork Chops
![close up of marinated and grilled pork loin chops](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/0nxgGbrvhEj8WZW1vp-XBzHu6TA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/1103347-grilled-pork-loin-chops-photo-by-mommyluvs2cook-7b7bee29d15d4ce395703b57869d1163.jpg)
Get the recipe for Grilled Pork Loin Chops.
An overnight soak in a flavorful marinade of brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, Worchestershire sauce, ketchup, ginger, and garlic powder makes for tender and juicy grilled pork chops. You can grill these inside on a grill pan or outside on your gas or charcoal grill for a quick weeknight meal or company-worthy dinner.
You can connect with Nicole as NicoleMcmom on Allrecipes and on Instagram @nicolemcmom.
More tips, tricks, and ideas from Nicole: