Clean Eating Weeknight Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest pork to eat? ›

If you're looking for the healthiest pork options, you want lean cuts -- tenderloin, loin chops and sirloin roast. Bacon and other fatty cuts are very high in artery-clogging saturated fat and cholesterol and not for everyday eating.

The citrus and vinegar in the brine tenderize the pork, leaving you with a more succulent bite of the other white meat.

Excess saturated fats can increase your risk of developing heart problems, obesity, and other long-term illnesses. Undercooked pork also carries the risk of viral and bacterial infections that pass on from pigs to humans. Pork may carry the zoonotic hepatitis E virus, which can transmit from pigs to humans.

One serving of ground pork alone has more than 12 grams of unsaturated fat. And don't forget about all the sodium. “Because most pork is processed, it contains high amounts of sodium, which can cause increases in blood pressure and lead to heart disease and stroke,” Zumpano adds.

No, you do not want to rinse the marinade off of the pork chops. If you're grilling the pork chops, they can go straight from the marinade onto the grill. If you're cooking the pork chops in a skillet, I do recommend patting them dry before adding them to the skillet.

Wet Brining with Baking Soda to Tenderize Meat

Whereas an oversaturated saltwater brine might make your cut less filet-like, a baking soda wet brine expedites the tenderizing process and limits the potential for oversaturation.

White Vinegar helps dry out the skin – but it has a secondary purpose of removing the odour! If you are prepared, place the Pork in the Fridge UNCOVERED overnight – the skin will dry out. When you pre-heat your oven, remove the pork from the fridge and let it return to room temperature.

Add oil, vinegar, garlic, rosemary, worcestershire, and pepper in plastic bag. Shake to mix. Add pork tenderloin to bag and marinade 4-24 hours. Cook on grill or oven.

You can make an effective brine just with salt and water, but additional seasonings do help. If you are just looking to brine one (1) pork chop or tenderloin, or up to 4 at a time, a quick ratio of salt to water is 4 cups of water and 3 Tbsp of salt / for 30 minutes up to 4 hours.

Do you rinse meat after soaking in vinegar? ›

The meat may be presoaked in a solution of water and acid — often white vinegar or lemon juice — then rinsed under running water prior to being seasoned with a dry rub or marinade, after which it's cooked or frozen.

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.

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.

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.

Pork tenderloin is highly valued in gastronomy and is one of the most tender and lean cuts. Its soft and delicate texture makes it a popular choice for elegant dishes. It can be grilled, roasted in the oven, or used in grilled dishes. Pork tenderloin is perfect for those seeking a refined dining experience.

The Ossabaw is a unique breed of pig that offers a dark red meat and is known for having the healthiest fat. This fat content and red meat combination make for the charcuterie.

Choosing the leanest cut for weight loss…

Tenderloin is one of the leanest cuts of pork available. Pro-tip: When reading meat labels, consider the saturated fats compared to the serving size.