Clean Eating Weeknight Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (2024)

ByTiffany McCauley

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These delicious balsamic pork chops are quickly and easily made any day of the week. They are a quick dinner for a busy evening, and let’s face it, we could all use a few more of those “quick and easy” recipes, don’t you think?

The rich flavor from the balsamic glaze gives these a simple yet delicious taste that will pair well with just about any side dish.

Clean Eating Weeknight Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (1)

About The Cut

When I buy my pork chops from the butcher, I ask him to cut the chops into “breakfast cuts or slices”. These are much thinner and cook faster as a result. And as the name insinuates, this cut is good for breakfast in lieu of bacon.

How To Serve Balsamic Pork Chops

These pork chops pair well with any of the following:

  • With a green salad on the side
  • With a baked potato and green beans or roasted asparagus.
  • With various vegetables such as broccoli, potato, sautéd onion, or cauliflower
Clean Eating Weeknight Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (2)

Recipe Variations

  • You can add a bit of fresh rosemary to the pan. But remove it when it starts to get past being golden brown.
  • You can also try this with fresh thyme
  • Drizzle on a very small amount of honey and add a pat of butter.
  • You can also follow this recipe, but use thin cuts of chicken. Though you may need a small amount of chicken broth if you don’t want to use more oil. Do this over medium heat in a frying pan until the internal temperature is at least 165 F.
Clean Eating Weeknight Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (3)

About The Ingredients

Pork chops– breakfast cut – about a scant ½ inch thick. Do not use bone-in pork chops for this.

Oil – Any oil will do, but opt for oils that have a higher smoke point, such as avocado oil or coconut oil.

Garlic cloves– Minced.

Balsamic vinegar

Salt and black pepper – Sprinkle on to taste.

How To Make Balsamic Pork Chops

Clean Eating Weeknight Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (4)

Gather and measure the ingredients Heat the oil over medium-high heat, then sauté the garlic for 1 minute. Then place the pork chops into the skillet with the garlic.

Clean Eating Weeknight Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (5)

Brown the pork chops on both sides, then add the balsamic vinegar. Continue to cook until the pork chops are done (at least 165 F. on a meat thermometer).

Clean Eating Weeknight Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (6)

Serve with your favorite side dish.

Storaging Balsamic Pork Chops

Pack leftovers in an airtight container and store this in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezing Balsamic Pork Chops

If wrapped well, this can be frozen for up to 4 months.

Reheating Balsamic Pork Chops

If frozen, that in the fridge for a full 24 hours before reheating.

To reheat, simply warm this in a skillet over low heat, watching it carefully so it doesn’t burn.

You can microwave it, but don’t do it for long or it will turn the meat into rubber.

Recipe Supplies

Clean Eating Weeknight Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (7)
Clean Eating Weeknight Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (8)
Clean Eating Weeknight Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (9)

More Healthy Pork Recipes

  • BBQ Rosemary Pork Chops
  • BBQ Orange Pork with Fennel
  • BBQ Fennel Pork

Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe Card

Clean Eating Weeknight Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (11)

Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe

Delicious pork chops that are quick and easy to make.

4.84 from 6 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 407kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Skillet

  • 1 Spatula (or tongs)

Ingredients

  • 1 lb pork chops (breakfast cut – about a scant ½ inch thick)
  • 2 tsp. olive oil
  • 6 medium garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • salt and pepper (to taste)

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Gather and measure the ingredients Heat the oil over medium-high heat, then sauté the garlic for 1 minute. Then place the pork chops into the skillet with the garlic.

    Clean Eating Weeknight Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (12)
  • Brown the pork chops on both sides, then add the balsamic vinegar. Continue to cook until the pork chops are done (at least 165 F.).

    Clean Eating Weeknight Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (13)
  • Serve with your favorite side dish.

    Clean Eating Weeknight Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (14)

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data below is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5the recipe | Calories: 407kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 152mg | Sodium: 112mg | Potassium: 891mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg

Recipe from the Gracious Pantry archives, originally posted on 1/8/13.

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Clean Eating Weeknight Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are pork chops considered clean eating? ›

The short answer is that pork chops can definitely be part of a healthy diet. They are low in fat yet packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Why do you soak pork chops in vinegar? ›

The citrus and vinegar in the brine tenderize the pork, leaving you with a more succulent bite of the other white meat.

What is the healthiest pork to eat? ›

If you're looking for the healthiest pork options, you want lean cuts -- tenderloin, loin chops and sirloin roast. Bacon and other fatty cuts are very high in artery-clogging saturated fat and cholesterol and not for everyday eating.

What not to eat on a clean diet? ›

The foods to avoid:
  • Overprocessed foods, especially white flour and sugar.
  • Artificial sweeteners.
  • Sugary beverages, such as soda and juice.
  • Alcohol.
  • Foods with chemical additives like food dyes and sodium nitrite.
  • Foods with preservatives.
  • Artificial foods, such as processed cheese slices.
  • Saturated fats and trans fats.
Apr 21, 2023

Is pork considered a clean meat? ›

The pig is considered an unclean animal as food in Judaism and Islam, and parts of Christianity.

Should I rinse marinade off pork chops? ›

No, you do not want to rinse the marinade off of the pork chops. If you're grilling the pork chops, they can go straight from the marinade onto the grill. If you're cooking the pork chops in a skillet, I do recommend patting them dry before adding them to the skillet.

Why do you put apple cider vinegar on pork? ›

Apple Cider Vinegar – Adds a beautiful and tasty touch of acidity to the glaze that brightens up the apple glazed pork chops. Apple Cider – Gives the pork an intense layer of sweet apple flavor combined with the apple cider vinegar.

Do you rinse brine off pork chops? ›

The salt to water ratio discussed (4 cups water to 3 Tbsp of salt) is best used for 1-4 servings of pork chops or pork tenderloins. Some people wash their meat after brining. You can do this, but just patting them dry works as well. Personal preference!

What is the unhealthiest meat? ›

Least healthy meats

Processed Meats: Notably, there are over 200 types of cold cuts and processed meats. These include hot dogs, bologna, and Vienna sausages. Processed meat is often made of less healthy organs like the stomach, lips, and heart.

Why is pork the unhealthiest meat? ›

One serving of ground pork alone has more than 12 grams of unsaturated fat. And don't forget about all the sodium. “Because most pork is processed, it contains high amounts of sodium, which can cause increases in blood pressure and lead to heart disease and stroke,” Zumpano adds.

Why do Muslims not eat pork? ›

Additionally, consuming pork is considered spiritually harmful, as it defiles the body and soul, hindering spiritual growth and purity. Moreover, from a practical standpoint, pork is inherently unclean and poses various health risks.

What can I soak my pork chops in? ›

For a pork brine, dissolve kosher salt and brown sugar in water, then add flavorings like garlic, herbs (such as thyme or rosemary sprigs), and optional spices. Brine pork chops for a few hours to enhance their flavor and tenderness before cooking.

What does baking soda do to pork chops? ›

Wet Brining with Baking Soda to Tenderize Meat

Whereas an oversaturated saltwater brine might make your cut less filet-like, a baking soda wet brine expedites the tenderizing process and limits the potential for oversaturation.

Are pork chops healthy or unhealthy? ›

Pork chops are an easy-to-cook lean red meat. They offer important nutrients like protein, selenium, zinc, and iron that support everyday body functions and can be helpful in losing weight. Because pork chops are considered red meat, you should be mindful of how frequently you eat them.

Are pork chops part of the carnivore diet? ›

The carnivore diet includes only animal products and excludes all other foods. Specifically, someone on the carnivore diet can eat: Meat: beef, chicken, turkey, organ meats, lamb, pork, etc. Fish: salmon, mackerel, sardines, crab, lobster, tilapia, herring, etc.

Is cooked pork clean? ›

Mar 24, 2023

Eating safely cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cook all raw pork steaks, chops, and roasts to a minimum internal temperature of 145 °F as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source.

Why does the Bible say not to eat pork? ›

It is only in Leviticus 11:7 that eating pork is forbidden to God's people for the very first time—“… and the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you.” This is where and when pork in all its forms (including ham, bacon, sausage, etc.)

References

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