Italian Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Sage and Garlic Butter

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

Tender pork chops seared to golden perfection and finished with a fragrant garlic and sage butter sauce for a rustic Italian meal. This italian-inspired pork (low carb) ready in about 22 minutes pairs about 1-inch thick bone-in pork chops, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 390 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in pork chops and season both sides with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the pork chops and sear for 4 minutes on each side until a deep golden crust forms and internal temperature reaches 145°F.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 4 smashed garlic cloves, and 8 fresh sage leaves to the skillet. Spoon the melted butter continuously over the pork chops for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Remove the pork chops to a plate and discard garlic cloves. Stir 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice into the sage butter in the pan and pour the sauce over the pork chops before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Italian Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Sage and Garlic Butter take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Italian Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Sage and Garlic Butter?

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 salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Italian Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Sage and Garlic Butter?

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 Italian Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Sage and Garlic Butter 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.

Is Italian Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Sage and Garlic Butter low carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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