Instant Pot Pork Chops + Video Tutorial {From Fresh or Frozen}

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Make this Instant Pot Pork Chops recipe for some seriously great comfort food that comes together quickly and easily.

Whether you choose to cook your pork chops in the Instant Pot from fresh or frozen, they’re perfect for a satisfying midweek meal or as a hearty Sunday supper.

Yeap, I am convinced the Instant Pot has magic powers.

A few Saturdays ago, it rained allllll day. Which meant we spent allllll day inside. The kiddoes usually start off playing well together and then no fewer than 7 fights occur about very, very important things that must be fought about at that very moment.

But this particular Saturday, there were no fights. They played together for 4 hours without fighting. Then they helped me cook an Instant Pot Whole Chicken and all the bits and bobs that go with that. Still no fighting.

Then they ate and played again, still without whining or demanding TV. By the end of the day I wasn’t sure if it was real life or if I was dreaming.

Naturally this must mean the Instant Pot has magic powers. The mini chefs do love the Instant Pot and always want to help (especially with pressing the buttons), so……

Magic powers or not, I admit it does feel quite magical when I whip up just about everything in it – like these Instant Pot Pork Chops.

These are seriously good pork chops Keto  and are so easy to make. Moist, fork-tender, full of flavor. Everything pork chops should be.

Why Cook Pork Chops in the Instant Pot?

Without the Instant Pot, pork chops can be a bit tricky – it’s easy to accidentally dry out pork chops resulting in tough, overly chewy meat.

But the Instant Pot keeps all the moisture in, giving you perfectly moist and tender pork chops.

Plus when cooking pork chops in the Instant Pot during the warmer months, you don’t have to worry about heating up your kitchen. #bonus

Are Instant Pot Pork Chops Keto? (Paleo, Whole 30)

Are Instant Pot Pork Chops keto? Yeap – and they are Paleo and Whole 30 too as long as you choose your oil and seasoning wisely.

For the vegetable oil, use olive oil.

For the paste/sauce/dressing, make sure it is gluten-free, soy-free and sugar-free. Or you can whip up a simple marinade containing:

• garlic salt
• mixed herbs
• paprika
• olive oil

Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops Tools List

How to Make Instant Pot Pork Chops

1. Season the pork chops with Sea Salt Flakes {amazing salt} and pepper on both sides.
2. Select the sauté setting of the Instant Pot, add in the oil and when hot brown the pork chops on both sides (about 1-2 mins on either side).
3. Using tongs, remove the pork chops from the Instant Pot, and set aside on a plate.
4. Add the liquid into the Instant Pot, and scrape any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot from frying with a silicon or wooden spoon.
5. Place the trivet inside the bottom of the Instant Pot insert before placing the pork chops on top of the trivet. 
6. Then add your favorite paste/sauce/dressing to the top (only the top) of your pork chops.
7. Cover your Instant Pot, set the vent to ‘SEALING’ position, press the manual / pressure cook button, select high pressure and set the timer to 5 mins.
8. Cook till done and allow for a 10-minute natural pressure, then perform a quick pressure release to let out any remaining steam. Open the lid and remove your Instant Pot Pork Chops.

Chef’s Tip: Remove the trivet with your mitts and keep your pork chops warming in the Instant Pot until ready to serve. No need to dirty an extra dish, am I right?!?!

Can You Make Instant Pot Frozen Pork Chops?

Yeap, you can make Instant Pot frozen pork chops – no thawing needed. Just make sure to break up your pork chops (no chops stuck together) to ensure even cooking.

Make Instant Pot Frozen Pork Chops

1. Add the liquid into the Instant Pot, and place the trivet inside the bottom of the Instant Pot insert before placing the pork chops on top of the trivet.
2. Cover your Instant Pot, set the vent to ‘SEALING’ position, press the pressure cook / manual button, select high pressure and set the timer to 8 minutes.
3. Cook till done and allow for a 10-minute natural pressure, then perform a quick pressure release to let out any remaining steam. Open the lid and remove your meat.

Note that your Instant Pot may take longer to get to pressure when cooking from frozen.

For Instant Pot frozen pork chops, increase the time under pressure to 8 mins. Make sure to check your cooked pork chops with a meat thermometer to ensure an adequate temperature.

If you want to cook more frozen meat in the Instant Pot, you can also cook Instant Pot frozen chicken breasts and Instant Pot frozen chicken thighs.

How To Make Baked Pork Chops in the Oven

No Instant Pot? No worries, it’s easy to make tasty pork chops in the oven. Just follow these steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400 F / 200 C.
2. Place your pork chops on a baking tray and season with your favorite paste/sauce/dressing, salt and pepper.
3. Bake pork chops for 14 – 28 mins, depending on how thick the chops are.
4. Check for doneness using a meat thermometer. Your pork chops are ready when the internal temperature reaches 145 F / 63C.
5. Remove pork chops from oven, serve and enjoy!

Air Fried Pork Chops

Want to use your air fryer to make delicious pork chops? I have got your covered with The Best Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe.

For moist pork chops, use a natural pressure release.

Recipe Tips 

• Let the steam release naturally for 10 mins. You may be tempted to do a quick release, but back away from the Instant Pot and don’t do it. Not only does a natural pressure release continue the cooking process (so a quick release will require additional time under pressure), but a quick release can suck the moisture out of the meat.
• This recipe can be increased for a crowd. You can cook up to 4-6 chops at once in the larger Instant Pot models (8l/8qt). Just be careful not to crowd the pot during frying.

• For thicker pork chops, increase the cook time by a few mins. If your pork chops aren’t cooked thoroughly, put them back in the Instant Pot for another 1 or 2 mins and check again.
• Use a Meat thermometer.. Always check the internal temperature of your chops before serving. It should reach at least 63C (145 F)).
• Get creative with your cooking liquid. If not making Instant Pot Pork Chops keto, you can use fruit juice (unsweetened pineapple juice is a good choice) or white wine instead of water or stock.

Serving Suggestions

• Instant Pot Brown Rice.
• Crispy Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts.
• Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes.
• Orange, Pistachio and Pomegranate Couscous Salad.

 

Weight Watchers Points

If you replace the 1 tbsp oil used for frying with a calorie-controlled cooking spray and use Harissa paste as the sauce, there are 7 Freestyle Smart points per serving of these Instant Pot Pork Chops.

To learn everything you need to know about the Instant Pot, check out this post: Instant Pot Review – The Ultimate Guide to the Instant Pot.

And don’t forget to visit The Ultimate List of Easy Instant Pot Recipes {75+ Recipes}.

Thank you for reading my Instant Pot Pork Chops recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you. Thanks for visiting Recipes from a Pantry, UK food blog.

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