Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Citrus and Sofrito Sauce

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

Juicy pork chops pan-seared and finished with a vibrant Puerto Rican sofrito and citrus sauce for a bright, aromatic flavor. This latin american-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs bone-in pork chops, olive oil, sofrito for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

★ 4.4 (13 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in pork chops and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add pork chops and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden crust forms and internal temperature reaches 145°F; remove chops and set aside to rest.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 cup sofrito, stirring and cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1/4 cup fresh orange juice and 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, scraping up browned bits; simmer sauce for 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Step 5: Return pork chops to skillet, spoon sauce over them, and cook for 1 minute to meld flavors.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped cilantro over pork chops and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Citrus and Sofrito Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Citrus and Sofrito Sauce?

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 bone-in pork chops from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Citrus and Sofrito Sauce?

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 Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Citrus and Sofrito Sauce 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 Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Citrus and Sofrito Sauce?

Latin American pork 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes