Pork Chop Seasoning (Smoky, Savory, Easy Spice Mix)

Say goodbye to bland, boring pork chops. They're officially a thing of your past thanks to this quick and easy Pork Chop Seasoning that comes together in about three minutes flat.

It's a simple mix of smoky, savory spices, a touch of sweetness, garlic, and herbs. This combination is everything boring, bland pork chops have been begging for and then some.

Why This Recipe Works

After testing dozens upon dozens of pork chop recipes, I know which spices hold up their end of the bargain and which are best left on the rack. Pork chops are on a weekly rotation in our house, and to say we are picky about chops would be a massive understatement.

When it comes to seasoning pork chops, you want a combination that packs in the flavor without overpowering the meat. And for budget's sake, I stuck to spices most of us already have locked, loaded, and ready to sprinkle.

The goal was a rich, savory pork chop that cook up juicy regardless of whether you're grilling, smoking, baking, or pan-searing. This mix? Absolutely nails it. We take a similar approach with our pork chop brine and stuffed pork chops, but this pork chops seasoning is grab and go for ease and simplicity!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Salt | Kosher salt has a larger, coarser grain and is our go-to for seasoning meat. We love it for even distribution and its particularly clean flavor profile.

Brown Sugar | This ingredient won't make your pork chops sticky sweet (like in our rib rub); it's just there for balance. You get a hint of sweetness, but it won't be at the forefront of the flavor profile. We use it in our breakfast sausage seasoning and have found that either dark or light brown sugar works great.

Pepper | This pork chop seasoning recipe uses a blend of both black pepper and cayenne pepper. Black pepper is great for adding a warm, earthy kind of heat to dishes, while cayenne hits the tongue immediately for a sharper spice flavor profile. Together, (and in the right quantity) they create a peppery feel that's notable but without the burn. If you're sensitive to heat, feel free to leave out the cayenne pepper.

Paprika | This is a spice that not only adds great color to pork chops, but also a wonderful smoky sweetness. If you'd like to add extra smoky vibes to your pork chop seasoning, smoked paprika is a great substitute.

Garlic + Onion Powder | Heavy hitters in the world of seasoning, no spice blend would be complete without these two aromatic powerhouses (our hamburger seasoning, chicken seasoning, and all-purpose seasoning hold up that end of the bargain!). They add deep flavor and chefy, umami vibes to savory dishes without even trying.

Dried Thyme | This adds an herbal note to your pork chops seasoning that helps cut through the richness of the pork. If you don't have thyme, feel free to substitute dried oregano or an Italian seasoning blend.

Make the Pork Chop Seasoning

In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients until well blended.

This recipe makes about ¾ cup of pork chop seasoning; it seasons about 8 pork chops.

If pork chop recipes are on repeat in your house like ours, give our Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy and Smothered Pork Chops a try. These two recipes are superstars in our house--all powerhouse flavor, zero dry chop.

How to Season Pork Chops

Place your pork chops on a large work surface. Remove excess moisture from the exterior of your pork chops using a paper towel and drizzle with your preferred cooking oil (1-2 tablespoons, depending on the number of chops).

Sprinkle about 2 teaspoons of the seasoning on each side of the pork chop and rub all over to adhere.

Cook as desired until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Set aside to rest for about 5 minutes, then serve and enjoy!

5 Ways to Use This Recipe

• Baked Pork Chops
• Pork Tenderloin
• Pork Loin Roast
• Smoked Pork Chops
• Country-Style Pork Ribs