There are plenty of decent sliced pork loin recipes out there, but the 10 recipes in this collection are a cut above the rest! The first recipe is what I consider the best way to cook thin pork chops (a fast and easy method, unlike other pork tenderloin recipes), followed by 9 other tasty thin-cut pork loin recipes.
I was inspired to seek out thin pork loin recipes after taking advantage of a sale on thin-cut pork chops. Dave typically cooks pork at our house — his smoked pork tenderloin is a family favorite — so I thought I’d seek out new recipes that wouldn’t take several hours in a smoker.
I found plenty of delicious recipes, but the pan-fried thin pork chops recipe I tried first was an instant favorite! Cooking flour-coated thin pork chops in a cast iron pan gives the pork a deliciously crisp exterior while the interior stays moist and tender.
Here’s a quick look at what goes into these chops:
- Boneless pork loin chops: Versatile pork loin chops (AKA thinly sliced pieces of pork tenderloin) taste great with simple seasonings and flavorful marinades, and they cook quickly and evenly.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Salt and pepper make everything taste better, including pork.
- Flour: Coating pork chops with a thin layer of flour before pan-frying them creates a delicious golden brown crust.
- Olive oil: Frying the chops in a small amount of olive oil lends a rich and peppery flavor to the crust of the pork chops.
Table Of Contents
How To Make Pan-Fried Thin-Sliced Pork Loin
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless pork loin chops, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour*
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
*To make the recipe gluten-free, use a gluten-free baking mix instead. It works wonderfully and tastes just as good!
Directions:
Place a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and add enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan (about 1/4 cup, depending on the pan). Meanwhile, put the flour on a large plate and season it with kosher salt and pepper, or your favorite seasoning salt.
Use a paper towel to pat the pork chops dry, then dredge each one in the seasoned flour mixture so they’re evenly coated on all sides.
When the oil and pan are hot, arrange the floured chops in the pan in a single layer with space between them to avoid crowding. (If your pan isn’t very big, you may need to cook the chops in a couple of batches.)
Cook the chops until the edges turn golden brown (about 3 minutes), then use tongs or a spatula to turn them over and cook for approximately 3 more minutes.
The best way to know they’re done cooking is to wait until the internal temperature reads 145 degrees F. (Avoid going beyond this temperature — no one wants dry pork!) For thin pork loin chops, this 6-minute cooking time should produce a golden brown chop that’s ever-so-slightly pink on the inside.
Serve your beautiful pork chops with a nice salad and your favorite side dish. (I suggest my Instant Pot mashed potatoes — they’re quick, easy, and impossible to mess up!)
How to Enjoy Leftovers
To store leftover pork loin chops, seal them in an airtight container or ziplock bag and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze them for up to 2 months.
To reheat leftover pork loin slices, place them in a cast iron pan over medium heat with a little oil until they’re heated through, or reheat them in your oven at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes.
“I just made these this morning to take to work. My husband and I are doing Keto, so I had to switch out the flour for crumbled pork rinds, and I added some Cowboy Rub to it. Came out absolutely delicious, and the 3-minute-per-side cook time worked great for me.”
– OGT Reader Jennifer
Thin-Sliced Pork Loin Ingredient Substitutes
Ingredient | Substitutes |
---|---|
Boneless pork loin chops | Pork medallions or cutlets, chicken cutlets, or lamb cutlets |
Flour | Breadcrumbs, cornstarch, or gluten-free flour |
Olive oil | Vegetable oil |
Salt and pepper | Seasoning salt or seasoning mix |
6 Pro Tips For Cooking Thin Pork Chops
- Pork tenderloin is a long, cylindrical cut from the shoulder and hip, while pork chops are cut from the tenderloin. Pork tenderloin can be expensive, but sliced pork loin is typically pretty affordable!
- Cooking pork loin chops quickly will help keep them tender and juicy.
- Marinating thin pork chops before cooking them is an easy way to add flavor and tenderize the meat.
- When using bone-in pork chops in recipes that call for boneless chops, increase the cooking time by at least a few minutes.
- You can cook thin-cut pork chops in an air fryer at 350 degrees F. Cook them for about 4 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking, then let the chops rest for a minute or two before serving.
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid undercooking or overcooking — 145 degrees F is the magic number for pork.
9 More Thin-Sliced Pork Loin Recipes To Try
The best thing about these boneless thin pork loin chops recipes is that they’re all quick and easy! Thin-cut pork chops only need to cook for a few minutes on each side, so it’s easy to get them on the table quickly any night of the week.
1. Honey Garlic Pork Chops
The original recipe calls for chicken thighs, but pork chops are equally delicious covered in a sticky honey garlic sauce. This Thai-inspired recipe is fabulous with broth rice, and it’s a meal the whole family will enjoy.
Cook the pork chops using the easy pan-fry method outlined above, then pour the honey garlic sauce over the pork and cook for a few more minutes to thicken the sauce. Easy!
2. Honey Garlic Pork Chops (V2)
This recipe uses the same major flavors (honey and garlic) as the previous one, but it’s different (and delicious) enough to mention separately. In this version, pork is marinated in lemon juice, honey, soy sauce, fresh garlic, and olive oil for an hour or two before cooking.
The citrus flavor gives these pork chops a bright flavor that tastes great with my favorite Craisin Spinach Salad.
3. Honey Mustard Thin Pork Chops
These honey mustard chops are so easy! Make a simple honey mustard sauce with 1/4 cup of honey and 2 tablespoons of mustard (I like Dijon here), cook the pork chops using the pan-frying method, and brush the honey mustard sauce on the chops once you’ve got a nice sear on them.
These pair beautifully with my Instant Pot baked potatoes. (If you want to serve extra honey mustard sauce on the side, make it separately — always discard leftover marinade after using it!)
4. Quick And Easy Pork Piccata
From Land O’Lakes
Cook the pork chops as directed above, then deglaze the pan with 1/2 cup of chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to incorporate the browned bits.
Bring the broth to a boil, reduce the heat to low, add a tablespoon of lemon juice, and continue cooking until the sauce thickens. Pour the sauce over the chops, garnish with capers and lemon zest, and serve with buttered noodles for a feast fit for company!
5. Vietnamese Pork Chops
From Pickled Plum
Loaded with fresh ginger, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, and vegetable oil, this marinade is not to be missed. Marinate the pork chops for an hour or two, then cook them and serve with a cucumber tomato salad and rice.
6. Parmesan Pork Chops
From Lil’ Luna
Quickly pan-fried with a crust of breadcrumbs, parmesan, and garlic powder, these cheesy chops are quick and delicious. As a bonus, the recipe includes instructions for making them in an air fryer.
7. Smothered Pork Chops
From The Endless Meal
These tasty pork chops are smothered in an onion and mushroom gravy and are ready in just 25 minutes. Pair them with mashed potatoes for a dinner that tastes like it took you all afternoon!
8. Sheet Pan Pork Chops
From Food Network
With this recipe, you can get a well-rounded meal on the table in just 35 minutes! Ranch-seasoned Yukon gold potatoes and green beans meet oven-baked pork chops flavored with honey and Worcestershire sauce. Seriously delicious and convenient!
9. Crispy Tonkatsu
From Drive Me Hungry
What could be better than juicy pork chops with a crispy panko crust? Serving them with a tasty tonkatsu sauce made with soy sauce, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce! You might have everything you need make these chops in your kitchen already.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take To Cook Pork Loin Slices?
Thin boneless pork chops take about 7 minutes to cook if you’re frying them in a pan.
What Can I Do With Pork Tenderloin?
Pork tenderloin is delicious and extremely versatile. You can smoke or grill the whole tenderloin or slice it up to make pork chops or pork medallions.
How Do You Keep Sliced Pork Loin Moist?
To keep sliced pork loin moist, avoid overcooking it by using a meat thermometer. Marinating or dredging it in flour before cooking can also help keep thin-sliced pork moist.
Conclusion
Thin pork loin chops are a delicious, nutritious, and versatile dinner option. Whether you enjoy them with your favorite side dish or in sandwiches, salads, or stir-fries, there are plenty of ways to cook and enjoy pork loin slices!
Do you have a favorite pork loin recipe?
Pan-Fried Sliced Pork Loin Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork loin chops thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 tsp salt kosher
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Place a cast iron pan on your stovetop over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
- Season the flour with salt and pepper and spread it over a dinner plate.
- Use a paper towel to pat the pork dry on both sides, then dredge the pork in the flour to evenly coat it on all sides.
- Arrange the floured pork chops in a single layer in the hot pan and fry until the edges start to brown, about 3 minutes.
- Flip the chops over and cook for 3 minutes more, or until the center reaches 145°F.
Don’t despair if you only have regular cut boneless chops or the thin sliced are pricier. Pound the chops even/flat and pat dry. Season to taste with salt and pepper or any dry seasoning favorite (lemon pepper, granulated garlic). Coat a non-stick skillet with EVOO, quickly sear over high heat on both sides (no flour), COVER, and take off the heat. Leave the pan covered for 8 minutes while you prepare the sides/sauces, then serve [if only with pan juices]. Works with chicken breasts pounded to an even thickness too – guaranteed moist every time.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Fixed these tonight! Definitely a keeper recipe!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How about your husband’s tenderloin recipe in his smoker?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ll have to share that sometime! Stay tuned :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just made these this morning to take to work. My husband and I are doing Keto, so I had to switch out the flour for crumbled pork rinds, and I added some Cowboy Rub to it. Came out absolutely delicious, and the 3 minute per side cook time worked great for me.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can you season the flour with some garlic powder and/or onion powder? Maybe a little garlic salt? Forgive my ignorance, I don’t really fry foods, other than eggs :-}
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can season any way you choose. I use this with chicken and add Romano cheese at times.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.that sounds tasty!
Yes.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Season the flour with anything you want. I use garlic and onion powder. Sometimes season salt
ooh, seasoning salt, yum. I use Adobo, which is garlic salt with just a few other things. I try not to add much salt to my meats.
Absolutely! Add any seasoning you want to to the flour :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks Jillie!
I do the same thing with chicken…..buy chicken breast….slice in half lengthwise….beat with a mallet until thin…..you can cut them into smaller pieces….dredge in egg and then flour and cook in cast iron pan with olive oil…..serve with a salad……great meal!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I also do this with chicken. In fact just did it last evening. One of my husband’s favorites. Yummy and tender. I don’t use egg just flour. I sometimes add Romano cheese.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So, you just put flour on chicken, like Jill did with the chops? What’s the difference in using the egg, just to help flour stick?
Yes. I used to do egg but my husband is not permitted dairy products. The flour sticks perfectly fine without egg. I also feel egg gives a different crispness. Just saves a step so I like that! I feel whatever one is comfortable with.
Eggs are not considered “dairy” Dairy means milk products.
Yes I know. Meant to put dairy and eggs but for some odd reason my typing in this forum is slow to none so I didn’t catch it or I would have edited it. This sentence took 5 minutes to type. Anyone else have this problem?
Thank you Hopey
Many people have a digestive sensitivity to eggs when they are lactose intolerant. You can skip ‘breading and dredging’ entirely. Just make sure the surface of the chop/chicken is completely DRY so it will crisp and not ‘steam’.’
Yes, egg is supposed to help the flour stick, but I never notice much of a difference between using egg or leaving it out. :-)
I also use egg and Panko bread crumbs and it turns out nice and crunchy and tender and for a different taste I add shredded parmasain cheese to the Panko bread crumbs.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.These look so good! Do you think they would cook up also in an air fryer?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sure. My in laws have done it several times
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t see why not!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.