Instant Pot Pork Chops Juicy Tender

Need more delicious pork recipes? Try my stuffed pork chops, sous vide pork chops, and oven-baked pork chops next. For the longest time, pork chops were a mystery to me. I could never figure out how to make them juicy and tender. That is until I discovered the magic of the Instant Pot. With minimal effort, you’re guaranteed soft and succulent meat, perfect for weeknight dinners, hosting, or meal prep!

Why I love this recipe

Quick and easy. The beauty of pressure cookers is that they do all the work for you. With less than 5 minutes of prep time, it’s a no-brainer. Fast. Even the thickest cut chops cook in no time. So much flavor. I’ve found the secret to getting flavorful, tender pork chops is to cook them quickly, and pressure cooking is as quick as it gets (well, that and air fryer pork chops!). Healthy. With a smidge of butter and a dash of brown sugar, this is overall a very healthy recipe.

Ingredients needed

Pork chops. Choose boneless pork chops that are at least 1-1/2 inches in thickness. If you can only find bone-in pork chops, that’s perfectly fine; just add 2-3 minutes of cooking time. Brown sugar. Balances out the saltier ingredients. Dried parsley. For flavor. Garlic. Preferably freshly minced. Salt and black pepper. To taste. Butter. Either salted or unsalted butter works. Worcestershire sauce. For an added layer of flavor. If you don’t have Worcestershire, use soy sauce. Chicken broth or pork broth. You could also use water, but broth certainly adds more flavor. Use low-sodium broth since we’re adding other salty ingredients.

How to make pork chops in the Instant Pot

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Arman’s recipe tips

Add seasonings. Try onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, or any of your favorite seasoning blends to add more flavor. Make a gravy. After you remove the chops from the pot, use a spatula to scrape up the brown bits stuck to the bottom. Then, mix together one tablespoon of cold water with two tablespoons of cornstarch to make a cornstarch slurry. Add this to the pot, simmer until thickened, then pour on top of the chops. Use an instant-read thermometer to make sure the chops reach an internal temperature of 145F. Of course, adjust to your preferred doneness (maximum 165F for well done). If you use frozen pork chops, increase the cooking time by two minutes.

Storage instructions

To store: Place leftover Instant Pot pork chops in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to five days. The thickness of the pork chops affects the cooking time. Note the thickness you want and then time accordingly from what I’ve tested below:

Rare medium: 20-22 minutes Medium: 27 minutes Medium well: 32 minutes Well done: 30-35 minutes

Cauliflower mashed potatoes Air fryer frozen green beans Healthy pasta salad Air fryer corn on the cob Or any of my side dish recipes

To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled leftovers in a freezer-friendly container and store them in the freezer for up to six months. Reheating: Microwave the chops for 30-40 seconds or in a hot skillet.