Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Old-World Mustard Cream Sauce

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

Juicy pork chops pan-seared and finished with a tangy, creamy mustard sauce reminiscent of classic European flavors. This french-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs bone-in pork chops, sea salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

★ 4.3 (11 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 French cuisine 480 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 4 bone-in pork chops dry and season both sides with 1 tbsp sea salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the pork chops and sear for 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 145°F). Remove chops and keep warm.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium and add 2 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet. Once melted, add 1/4 cup minced shallot and sauté for 2 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp Dijon mustard and 1 tbsp whole grain mustard until combined, then slowly add 1/2 cup heavy cream, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Add 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed, then return the pork chops to the pan to warm in the sauce for 1 minute before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Old-World Mustard Cream Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Old-World Mustard Cream 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 Old-World Mustard Cream 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 Old-World Mustard Cream 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 Old-World Mustard Cream Sauce?

French 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