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

This was delicious. I used persimmons instead of dates and it turned out beautifully.

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!

Mary

Absolutely delicious! I used pork steaks - full of marbling and flavor. Used herbs de provence instead of sage, a few dates and a few apricots and 5 oz container of baby kale. Served with Emily's Roasted Potatoes from Ina Garten.

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.

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Pork Chops With Kale and Dates Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making tender pork chops? ›

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

For juicy, flavorful pork chops, try brining the chops before grilling or broiling — two high-heat cooking methods that can quickly dry out lean pork chops. Brines are essentially salty, sugary water solutions; they'll keep the meat moist, while adding flavor.

What is the use by date for pork chops? ›

If the pork is refrigerated, I'd say you have at least a week after the sell by date, and if frozen you have at least 6 months if not longer. Sell by date is not the same as cook by date. I have a pork roast that is vacuum sealed that I left in the fridge past it's use by date. I opened it and it still smells okay.

What can I put on pork chops for flavor? ›

Pork Chop Seasoning Ingredients
  1. 2 Tablespoons smoked paprika.
  2. 1 Tablespoon kosher salt.
  3. 1 Tablespoon black pepper.
  4. 1 Tablespoon brown sugar.
  5. 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
  6. 1 teaspoon onion powder.
  7. 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard.
  8. 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
Mar 28, 2023

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.

Why do you rinse pork chops before cooking? ›

We call this cross-contamination. 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.

Does soaking pork chops in salt water make them tender? ›

A brine is essentially just salt and water. It helps prevent moisture loss during cooking, and the salt also helps tenderize the meat from the inside out. If you want an extra juicy piece of pork, brine it before cooking. You can make an effective brine just with salt and water, but additional seasonings do help.

What cooking method is best for pork chops? ›

Bake your pork chops at 425 degrees for 10 minutes. If you want to add an extra step, sear your pork chops in a pan first and transfer to a baking sheet to cook for about 6-8 more minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.

Can I cook pork chops 4 days past the sell by date? ›

Whole cuts of pork may be refrigerated for up to five days after purchase. Ground pork may be refrigerated for one to two days after purchase. Cooked pork should be consumed within three to four days after cooking or frozen for up to three months.

Is it OK to eat pork 1 day out of date? ›

never eat food after the use-by date, even if it looks and smells ok. it is safe to eat food until midnight on the use-by date shown on a product, but not after, unless the food has been cooked or frozen. food can be cooked until midnight on the use-by date listed on the product and then cooled and kept in the fridge.

How long do you keep pork chops in the fridge before cooking? ›

For raw ground meats, poultry, seafood and variety meats (liver, tongue, chitterlings, etc.), refrigerate them only 1 to 2 days before either cooking or freezing. Beef, veal, lamb and pork roasts, steaks and chops may be kept 3 to 5 days.

What seasoning is best for pork chops? ›

Key Ingredients for Pork Chop Seasoning
  • Paprika: Our recipe calls for paprika or smoked paprika. ...
  • Brown sugar: Brown sugar surprisingly tastes absolutely divine on pork chops. ...
  • Garlic powder: Unlike fresh garlic that can overpower a dish, garlic powder provides a more subtle garlic flavor with a hint of savoriness.
Jul 31, 2023

What kind of sauce do you serve with pork chops? ›

697 suggested recipes
  1. Thai Peanut Dipping SauceKitchenAid.
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  7. Cabernet Peppercorn Dipping SaucePork.

Why do you put applesauce on pork chops? ›

Pork has a meaty, slightly sweet, and very savory flavor, but it is also quite oily. Apples have a sweet, relatively dry, slightly acidic flavor, and the dry acidity is a good complement to the oiliness of pork. People have served pork with apples for at least a couple thousand years.

How do you cook pork chops so they are soft? ›

First, we sear one side of the chops until browned, flip them, turn the heat to low, and cover the skillet with a lid. The second side will slowly turn golden brown, and since we added the lid, the heat from the pan will gently cook the middle. By gently cooking the chops this way, they stay juicy and become tender.

How do you make pork really tender? ›

You can slow cook it in a slow cooker or oven at a low temperature for several hours until it's fully cooked and tender. This will help break down the tough connective tissues and collagen in the meat, resulting in a succulent and tender pork belly. Braising: Braising is another method that works well for pork belly.

How do you keep pork chops from being chewy? ›

Brining pork chops before cooking them can help a great deal, but you also need to be sure you cook them to just below the correct temperature, then cover and let them sit so the juices have a chance settle.

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