Ina Garten Mustard Pork Chops Recipe

Easy Ina Garten Mustard Pork Chops Recipe: Perfect Comfort Food

Mustard pork chops bring a tantalizing blend of rich, creamy flavors that transform an ordinary protein into a sophisticated dining experience.

These succulent cuts elevate weeknight dinners with their complex taste profile and elegant preparation.

Robust Dijon mustard creates a bold, zesty foundation that complements the tender meat’s natural savoriness.

Creamy ingredients add luxurious depth, while carefully selected herbs introduce bright, aromatic notes.

Quick and straightforward techniques make this dish accessible for home cooks seeking restaurant-quality results.

Simple ingredients work together harmoniously, promising a meal that feels simultaneously indulgent and comforting.

You’ll impress everyone at the table with this delectable culinary creation: get cooking!

Ina Garten’s Mustard Pork Chops: A Bold and Tasty Dish

Culinary magic happens when classic techniques meet bold flavors.

Ina Garten’s mustard pork chops showcase elegant simplicity with robust taste.

Creamy mustard sauce elevates humble proteins into restaurant-worthy masterpieces.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this dish promises memorable dining experiences.

Adventurous home chefs can confidently recreate this gourmet classic with minimal ingredients.

Savor each bite, share the recipe, drop a comment below, and spread deliciousness with friends who crave exceptional home cooking.

Why Ina Garten’s Mustard Pork Chops are a Flavorful Twist

Why Ina Garten’s Mustard Pork Chops are a Flavorful Twist
  • Savor Rich Flavor Layers: The combination of brandy, heavy cream, and Dijon mustard creates a luxurious sauce that transforms ordinary pork chops into a gourmet dinner experience, delivering complex and bold taste sensations in every bite.
  • Master Professional Cooking Technique: This recipe teaches restaurant-grade searing and sauce-making methods, allowing home cooks to elevate their culinary skills by learning precise techniques like controlled heat management, deglazing, and creating a perfectly balanced cream sauce.
  • Quick Weeknight Elegance: From start to finish, this dish takes just about 20-25 minutes to prepare, making it an ideal option for busy individuals who want a sophisticated meal without spending hours in the kitchen, perfect for impressing dinner guests or treating yourself to a restaurant-quality dinner at home.
  • Customize with Herb Flexibility: The final herb garnish offers delightful personalization, letting you experiment with different fresh herbs like chives, parsley, tarragon, or chervil to match your taste preferences and add a vibrant, aromatic finishing touch to the creamy, rich pork chops.

Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Mustard Pork Chops

Meat:
  • Pork Chops: Tender and flavorful main protein, choose thick-cut bone-in chops for best results.
Herbs and Seasonings:
  • Kosher Salt, Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing meat's natural flavor.
  • Chives, Parsley, Tarragon, or Chervil: Fresh herbs for bright, aromatic garnish.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Used for initial searing of pork chops, provides golden-brown crust.
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates rich base for sauce, adds creamy texture.
  • Shallots, Garlic: Aromatic base that adds depth to sauce.
  • Brandy: Provides complex, rich flavor to sauce.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, smooth sauce texture.
  • Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy, sharp flavor to sauce.
  • Lemon Juice: Brings brightness and balances rich sauce.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Mustard Pork Chops

How to Make Ina Garten’s Mustard Pork Chops

Step 1: Sear the Succulent Pork Chops

Heat of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it’s sizzling hot. Carefully place the pork chops in the skillet, ensuring they make a satisfying sear sound. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust. Remove the pork chops and set aside, keeping them warm.

Step 2: Prepare the Aromatic Base

Drain the excess oil from the skillet and wipe it clean. Melt of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the following ingredients:
  • Chopped shallots
  • 1 minced garlic clove

Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown the ingredients.

Step 3: Introduce the Brandy Splash

Carefully remove the skillet from heat and pour in of brandy. Return to heat and let the alcohol simmer for 1 minute, allowing the flavors to develop and the alcohol to evaporate.

Step 4: Craft the Luxurious Sauce

Combine the following in the skillet:
  • Heavy cream
  • Dijon mustard

Whisk thoroughly while increasing the heat to high. Bring the sauce to a boil, stirring continuously until it starts to thicken.

Step 5: Reunite Pork Chops with Sauce

Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and return the seared pork chops to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes, turning once to ensure each side is perfectly coated with the creamy sauce.

Step 6: Add Final Flavor Touches

Remove the skillet from heat. Enhance the sauce with:
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Adjust seasonings to taste, creating a perfect balance of richness and brightness.

Step 7: Plate and Garnish with Flair

Transfer the pork chops to a serving dish. Generously spoon the creamy mustard sauce over the top. Sprinkle of freshly chopped herbs such as:
  • Chives
  • Parsley
  • Tarragon
  • Chervil

Serve immediately and enjoy the burst of flavors!

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Mustard Pork Chops

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Mustard Pork Chops
  • Rapidly Rest Meat: Pull pork chops from refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking to stabilize temperature and guarantee uniform heat distribution.
  • Precisely Probe Temperature: Insert meat thermometer into thickest part of chop, targeting 145°F for perfectly succulent and safe protein that remains juicy.
  • Skillfully Scrape Skillet: Capture delicious caramelized remnants stuck to pan's surface after searing, transforming simple pan drippings into rich flavor foundation.
  • Strategically Thin Sauce: Keep sauce consistency balanced by adding warm water or stock if mixture becomes overly dense during reduction process.
  • Carefully Control Cooking: Monitor heat levels to prevent burning while maintaining optimal searing conditions for golden-brown exterior and tender interior.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Mustard Pork Chops

  • Vacuum Seal Method: Protect pork chops from freezer burn by using a vacuum sealer. Remove all air pockets to prevent moisture loss and maintain optimal taste and texture. Seal each chop separately to ensure easy portioning and quick thawing.
  • Sauce Separation Technique: Keep mustard sauce in a separate airtight container to prevent soggy meat. Store sauce and pork chops individually to preserve their distinct textures and flavors. Label containers with date and contents for easy tracking.
  • Temperature Control Strategy: Monitor refrigerator temperature between 34-40°F to maximize food safety and quality. Place pork chops on the bottom shelf to prevent potential cross-contamination. Use within 2-3 days for best taste and nutritional value.

Creative Twists on Ina Garten’s Mustard Pork Chops

  • Herb-Crusted Pork Adventure: Coat the pork chops with a mixture of fresh chopped rosemary, thyme, and breadcrumbs before searing for an extra crispy and aromatic layer of flavor.
  • Spicy Mustard Kick: Replace Dijon mustard with whole grain mustard and add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a zesty, warming heat that complements the rich cream.
  • Apple Cider Fusion: Swap brandy with apple cider and add a splash of apple brandy to the sauce, creating a subtle sweet and tangy undertone that pairs beautifully with the pork's richness.
  • Mediterranean Style: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese and chopped kalamata olives into the final sauce, transforming the dish with bright, briny Mediterranean notes that elevate the classic recipe.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Ina Garten Mustard Pork Chops Recipe

Ina Garten Mustard Pork Chops Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Ina Garten’s mustard pork chops blend French countryside charm with simple, elegant flavors. Rich Dijon mustard and crisp herbs elevate these succulent chops, promising a quick, delectable meal you’ll savor from first bite to last.


Ingredients

Scale

Primary Protein:

  • 4 pork chops (1-inch thick; about 10 ounces / 283 grams each)

Cooking Fats and Aromatics:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons chopped shallots
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced

Flavor Enhancers and Sauce Components:

  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons brandy
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 squeeze fresh lemon juice
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 teaspoons mixed chopped fresh herbs (chives, flat-leaf parsley, tarragon, and/or chervil leaves)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the protein by patting the pork chops dry with paper towels, ensuring a perfect sear. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides.
  2. Heat 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) of olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until the surface begins to shimmer. Carefully place the seasoned pork chops into the hot skillet, allowing them to develop a rich golden-brown crust for 4-5 minutes per side.
  3. Remove the perfectly seared pork chops and transfer them to a warm plate, keeping them covered to retain heat. Drain the excess oil from the skillet, leaving behind the flavorful browned bits.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium and melt 2 tablespoons (28 grams) of unsalted butter in the same skillet. Add finely chopped shallots and minced garlic, sautéing them gently until they become aromatic and translucent, approximately 1 minute.
  5. Carefully deglaze the skillet by pouring 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of brandy, tilting the pan away from you. Allow the alcohol to simmer and reduce, scraping up the delicious caramelized fragments from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Introduce 1 cup (240 milliliters) of heavy cream and 1/4 cup (60 grams) of Dijon mustard, whisking continuously to create a smooth, velvety sauce. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.
  7. Lower the heat to a soft simmer and return the seared pork chops to the skillet. Gently spoon the creamy sauce over the meat, allowing them to cook and absorb the flavors for 3-4 minutes.
  8. Test the pork chops for doneness using a meat thermometer, ensuring an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Adjust seasoning with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, additional salt, and cracked black pepper.
  9. Plate the pork chops, generously coating them with the rich mustard cream sauce. Garnish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped herbs like chives or parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.

Notes

  • Unlock restaurant-quality flavor with a quick sear that transforms ordinary pork chops into a gourmet masterpiece.
  • Brandy infuses the creamy mustard sauce with sophisticated depth, turning a simple protein into an elegant dining experience.
  • Bone-in pork chops guarantee maximum juiciness and rich flavor that elevates the entire meal.
  • Dijon mustard delivers a sharp, tangy punch that perfectly balances the creamy sauce and cuts through the dish’s richness.
  • Fresh herbs sprinkled on top provide a bright, vibrant finish that takes this recipe from good to extraordinary.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 740 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 55 g
  • Saturated Fat: 20 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 50 g
  • Cholesterol: 180 mg
Ethan Miller

Ethan Miller

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Food Photography and Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Blogging
  • Ingredient Sourcing and Sustainability Practices

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and food safety protocols.

Culinary Institute of the Pacific

  • Program: Certificate in International Cuisine
  • Focus: Exploration of global culinary traditions, flavor profiles, and plating artistry.

Ethan’s culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen, where he first learned to play with flavors and ingredients. With formal training in culinary arts and a deep love for international cuisines, Ethan’s goal is to share the joy of cooking with others.

He believes food is all about creativity and bringing people together, one meal at a time. When he’s not experimenting with new dishes, he enjoys hiking in the Oregon wilderness and discovering fresh, local ingredients.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star