Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Mato Grosso Spice Rub

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-04 · Updated 2026-07-04

Juicy pork chops seasoned with a vibrant Mato Grosso-inspired spice blend, pan-seared to a golden crust and served with a simple sautéed vegetable medley. This brazilian-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) bone-in pork chops, olive oil, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

Ingredients

• 4 pieces (6 oz each) bone-in pork chops
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 medium, sliced into 1/4-inch strips yellow bell pepper
• 1 medium, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds zucchini
• 1 small, sliced into thin wedges red onion
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the Mato Grosso spice rub.
2. Step 2: Pat 4 bone-in pork chops dry and rub the spice mixture evenly onto both sides of each chop. Let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the pork chops and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until a deep golden crust forms and internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove chops and tent with foil.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add the sliced 1 yellow bell pepper, 1 medium zucchini rounds, and 1 small red onion wedges. Sauté over medium heat for 5-6 minutes until vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro over the vegetables and stir to combine. Serve the pork chops atop the sautéed vegetables immediately.