Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Puerto Rican Sofrito Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy pork chops pan-seared to golden perfection and topped with a vibrant Puerto Rican sofrito sauce made from fresh peppers, onions, and herbs. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 40 minutes pairs about 6 oz each bone-in pork chops, olive oil, medium, diced green bell pepper 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in pork chops (about 6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the pork chops for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 2 tbsp olive oil, then sauté 1 medium diced green bell pepper, 1 medium diced red bell pepper, and 1 medium diced yellow onion over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic. Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until the paste darkens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1/4 cup water, add 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and 1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano, then simmer the sauce over low heat for 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Spoon the sofrito sauce over the seared pork chops and serve warm with rice or plantains.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Puerto Rican Sofrito Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 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 olive oil from drying out.

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

Caribbean 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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