Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Puerto Rican Sofrito

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

Juicy pan-seared pork chops infused with the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rican sofrito, creating a savory and aromatic main dish. This latin american-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) bone-in pork chops, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 20 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/2 cup diced yellow onion, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant, forming a Puerto Rican sofrito base.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook the sofrito for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the vegetables.
  3. Step 3: Season 4 bone-in pork chops (6 oz each) with salt and pepper on both sides. Push sofrito to the side of the skillet and increase heat to medium-high. Add pork chops and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 145°F).
  4. Step 4: Remove skillet from heat and drizzle pork chops with 1 tbsp lime juice to brighten the flavor. Let rest for 3 minutes before serving with sofrito spooned over the top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Puerto Rican Sofrito 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 Puerto Rican Sofrito?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Puerto Rican Sofrito?

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 Puerto Rican Sofrito 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 Puerto Rican Sofrito?

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.

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