Pork Chops With Kale and Dates Recipe (2024)

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D. Ward

Made as written with fresh sage. This was a truly delicious meal! We eat meat a few times a week and try to make it special-and it was. Can’t wait to try with rosemary and one less date to cut sweetness a little. Don’t forget the finishing vinegar since it really wakes up the kale and balances the sweetness.

Dorothy Wiese

Problem is finding fat juicy pork chops.

Lisa

TedG

White wine instead of the water at the end deglazes nicely. Outstanding recipe.

D. Ward

Andrea, prunes are delicious with pork. Should work fine.

anarnor

I used boneless thick-cut loin chops and used Herbes de Provence with salt and pepper, and they were cooked perfectly at 130 degrees after about 10 minutes. I didn't have any dates but the dish was really good without them. The charred kale with the pork was really good. Definitely a keeper.

Emily

Can you use spinach instead?

RLV

Way to much cooking time check at 10 minutes. Probably best seared each side 3-4 minutes and out. Use 2/3 head of radicchio and was superb.

Jim B

Just made this for the third time, and I had come back and say that this is one of the best recipes I have ever made from the NYT. Packed with flavor, so easy and quick to make. For a simple recipe, this has a bunch of complex flavors. Economical too if you have a freezer and can buy the chops in bulk at Costco. We too only do meat about twice a week, and this is the perfect way to make it.

Jeanine

This is a keeper of a recipe; I'll cook it again and again A few minor adjustments:- I used currants instead of dates. For any who find dates too sweet, the currants are a wonderful alternative- I browned the pork chops in butter and oil. Since the heat was only on medium, and the butter was mixed with the oil, there was no problem with burning.- I put *lots* of sage leaves in to brown/crisp with the pork as it was browning, then took them out to do the kale, but didn't throw them away!

AG

Such a simple and quick recipe with SO MUCH FLAVOR. I used apricots instead of dates and liked the tangy sweetness.

olivia

We made this except we used apples instead of dates because we didn’t want to go shopping and had the rest at home. SOO GOOD!

CJ

Made this per recipe and used sherry vinegar. It was fabulous. Made with parmesan polenta and the flavors were so well balanced. I quit making pork chops a long time ago due to the low fat content and toughness, but I bought two thick 1 1/2 " chops and brined them overnight and they were great.I took them off the heat at 137 degrees. My kale hating husband raved like a maniac about the char,dates and garlic.The entire meal including red wine transported me to Italy will make this again for sure

Meg

Absolutely delicious! Next time, I’m doubling the kale, as it cooks down quite a bit and the dates overpower. Served with roasted new potatoes.

Holly

I was thinking the same thing!

Doug S.

I used the rosemary sprigs as directed. They added nothing. When making again, I'll either remove the rosemary leaves from the stems, chop & leave in or just use the sage leaves chopped & left in. Also, don't overcook the kale until it reduces. Cook only until it resembles the photo. Serve the chops intact with sharp knives versus cutting off the bone before serving. Also, peel & mince the garlic & double the butter or use equal amounts of butter & oil to baste. One Tbsp. is too little.

Sheri

Made as written with rosemary and red wine vinegar. Delicious! Will definitely make again. The dates were so good with the pork.

judys

This is delicious. I followed recipe exactly, except used collards from the garden, under row cover in February, instead of kale. Had regular pork chops, 1/2 inch so cooked less, and I opted for sage because we like it with pork. Served with baked sweet potatoes. Nice dinner on a cold winter night.

cameron

For those who cannot find thick pork chops - I regularly make this with pork tenderloin instead. Sear on each side, perform the butter basting, then transfer the rosemary to a small baking dish and plop the tenderloin on top to finish in the oven for 5-10 minutes while you finish the rest. Toss some cauliflower in there to roast with it and you won’t be sorry! I serve the cauliflower alongside the kale and add some balsamic glaze and pine nuts for a great rounded meal

Crazy cat lady

All I have to say about this recipe is that my kale-adverse (being polite here) husband loved it. End of story.

Rs

Great recipe, used broccali rabe which upped the Italian sense of dish and recommend when making polenta, cook with 1/2 water and 1/2 milk to make it richer

MitMoi

I really enjoyed this meal. Used sage instead of the rosemary. I had to make a substitution of bok choy for the kale. It worked great. Chopped separated the sliced rib part from the torn leafy part. Cooked the rib part when I added the garlic/dates - then added the leafy part when I added the water "add water, then cook, stirring often, until the leafy bok choy is dark green and slightly wilted". Followed the rest of the directions. It was great.

natalia

I made this with sage. Both my 12 year old son and I loved it so much! I am usually not a fan of kale, but this was outstanding! I tried making the same side dish with spinach, and even though the garlicky sweet flavor makes it better, kale texture is what brings it to the next level. For pork chops, I overcooked them slightly, next time I’ll do less time, and will finish cooking when brazing with sage butter.

Debbie H

I made this abd substituted brussels sprouts for kale & was yummy.

Sarah

This is absolutely delicious.

Jennifer

I am so confused. I am cooking this now and at 137 degrees the pork is raw in the middle!

Anna

Wonderful and simple. I used spinach instead of kale and it worked great. Easy 30 minute meal for a weeknight, or fancy enough for company.

pwtesuji

A clear 5!

Nate

Quadruple the Kale. It just wilts to nothing.

Russ

Easy for a weeknight. Unless you like porkchops with the texture of shoe leather do not cook them for 15 minutes. I did about 8 minutes in total and that was great (chops were about 1.25 inches thick). I would probably add more vinegar to the greens as they tasted slightly unbalanced due to the amount of fat in which they were wilted. I did add a handful of slivered almonds, which I thought add some nice crunch to the greens.

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Pork Chops With Kale and Dates Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to moist pork chops? ›

How to Keep Pork Chops from Drying Out? Brine Them! After you bring your pork chops home, time to brine! Brining pork chops is one of the best ways way to guarantee a juicy cooked pork chop.

What is the best way to cook pork chops without them drying out? ›

High-heat frying sears them to a golden brown; and a moderately hot oven (400 degrees F) bakes the pork chops gently enough to keep them from drying out. This "sear-roasting" method is a great way to cook pork chops in the oven: Fry one side to golden brown, then flip, and place the chops directly in the oven.

Do pork chops get more tender the longer you cook them? ›

Because pork chops are such a lean cut, they are relatively quick-cooking and prone to overcooking. When they're cooked for even a few minutes too long, whether it's in the oven or on the stovetop or grill, they're quick to dry out, and — you guessed it — become tough, chewy, and less than appealing.

Is it better to brown pork chops before baking? ›

Seasoning Substitutions: We prefer the flavor of salt and pepper on oven-baked pork chops but you can use any seasoning you like. Try adding a little garlic powder or onion salt for even more flavor. Sear the Chops First: The real key for irresistible oven-baked pork chops is searing them in a skillet first.

Is it better to bake or pan fry pork chops? ›

While there are a number of ways to cook pork chops for dinner, baking is arguably the easiest path to perfection. The hands-off cooking method cooks pork chops gently and evenly without the need for extra fat, resulting in juicy, healthier pork chops that pair well with practically any side dish.

What seasoning is good on pork chops? ›

Best Seasoning for Pork Chops

Thyme and sage add herby and floral notes complementing pork's flavor exceptionally well. There's also a combination of smoked paprika, pepper, and a little bit of cayenne pepper, which all give your pork chops a lovely, not overly spicy, kiss of heat.

What is the best way to cook a pork chop so it's tender? ›

How to Make Tender Pork Chops
  1. Opt for Thick-Cut Bone-In Pork Chops. Thin-cut pork chops won't sear properly in the time it takes to cook them through. ...
  2. Skip the Brine, but Season Liberally. ...
  3. Let the Pork Chops Rest. ...
  4. Sear Pork Chops Over Medium-High Heat. ...
  5. Baste the Pork Chops. ...
  6. Let the Pork Chops Rest, Again. ...
  7. Serve.
Feb 14, 2018

What tenderizes pork chops? ›

Marinate the Pork Chops

Mild tenderizing is accomplished through the use of acidic ingredients. Lemon juice, flavored vinegar, red wine, and coffee are all recommended as marinade ingredients that can soften the meat a little.

Should you season pork chops before cooking? ›

On their own, pork chops are a lean, bland cut of meat. Seasoning with salt before cooking is an essential step in bringing out the meat's natural flavors. Season generously, and remember that even a very short brine (just 30 minutes) will improve the taste and texture of the meat.

Why do you rinse pork chops before cooking? ›

While washing meat and poultry to remove dirt, slime, fat or blood may have been appropriate decades ago when many slaughtered and prepared their own food, the modern food safety system doesn't require it. Meat and poultry are cleaned during processing, so further washing is not necessary.

Do you bake pork chops covered or uncovered at 350? ›

Unless you want to steam the chops, bake pork chops uncovered. This allows moisture to evaporate which enhances the malliard reaction, or browning of the meat. Is it better to bake pork chops at 350 or 400? Unless a meat or vegetable is being covered for a “Low and Slow” approach, I like higher-temp cooking.

Should I flip my pork chops while baking? ›

Start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees. Using a sheet pan fitted with a rack, you'll be able to bake your pork chops without having to flip them during the baking process. If desired, coat the chops with seasoned bread crumbs or panko crumbs.

How do you keep pork chops from drying out when cooking? ›

Brine the pork to maintain moisture by soaking it in a mixture of salt and water, baking soda, vinegar or even milk. You can also pour hot water over the loin to shrink the rind, which can enable better absorption of brine, milk, oil or marinade.

What's the best way to cook pork chops to make them tender? ›

How to Make Tender Pork Chops
  1. Opt for Thick-Cut Bone-In Pork Chops. Thin-cut pork chops won't sear properly in the time it takes to cook them through. ...
  2. Skip the Brine, but Season Liberally. ...
  3. Let the Pork Chops Rest. ...
  4. Sear Pork Chops Over Medium-High Heat. ...
  5. Baste the Pork Chops. ...
  6. Let the Pork Chops Rest, Again. ...
  7. Serve.
Feb 14, 2018

How do you make pork soft and tender? ›

To tenderize pork before cooking it, try breaking up the tough muscle by hitting it with a meat mallet evenly across the surface of the meat. Then, if you want your pork to be extra tender, you can marinate it in a tenderizing marinade made with acids, like citrus juices, vinegar, or wine.

What do you soak pork chops in before cooking? ›

Combine water, salt, and any additional seasonings in a large container. Stir well to dissolve the salt and sugar. Soak the pork chops in the brine solution, making sure they're fully coated. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

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