Cumin-Crusted Pork Chops with Roasted Sweet Potatoes

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork chops with a warm cumin crust, accompanied by caramelized sweet potatoes and a simple rosemary-infused pan sauce. This american ready in about 50 minutes pairs pork chops, ground cumin, paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 490 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 American cuisine 490 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat 4 bone-in pork chops (1 inch thick) dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of each pork chop. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Step 3: Sear pork chops for 3 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer skillet to the oven and roast for 12-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
  4. Step 4: While pork roasts, toss 2 peeled and cubed medium sweet potatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes until fork-tender and caramelized.
  5. Step 5: Remove pork from skillet. Add 1 tbsp butter and 1 tsp fresh chopped rosemary to the skillet drippings, swirling to combine. Pour in 1/4 cup chicken broth and simmer for 2 minutes until reduced by half.
  6. Step 6: Slice pork chops, serve with roasted sweet potatoes, and drizzle with the pan sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cumin-Crusted Pork Chops with Roasted Sweet Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cumin-Crusted Pork Chops with Roasted Sweet Potatoes?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork chops from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cumin-Crusted Pork Chops with Roasted Sweet Potatoes?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cumin-Crusted Pork Chops with Roasted Sweet Potatoes for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Cumin-Crusted Pork Chops with Roasted Sweet Potatoes?

American american like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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