Pork Chops: compare the 3 variations
Time, effort, key ingredients, diets, nutrition and cleanup side by side, so you can pick the one that fits tonight.
Which should I make?
- Fastest Air FryerReady in 25 min; the others take 45 min to 55 min.
- Least cleanup Pan-Seared Garlic ButterOne thing to wash: cast iron skillet.
- Gluten-free Air Fryer and Pan-Seared Garlic ButterThe ones that fit gluten-free, going by the ingredient lines.
Side by side
| Air Fryer | Smothered in Onion Gravy | Pan-Seared Garlic Butter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total time | 25 min | 45 min | 55 min |
| Prep | 5 min | 10 min | 5 min |
| Level | Easy | Medium | Easy |
| Steps | 6 | 11 | 6 |
| Serves | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Key ingredients | boneless pork chops, brown sugar and smoked paprika | bone-in pork chops, onions and chicken broth | bone-in pork chops, unsalted butter and garlic |
| Only in this one | brown sugar, smoked paprika and onion powder | paprika, all-purpose flour, onions and chicken broth | fresh thyme or rosemary |
| Dietary | |||
| Calories | 440 | 560 | 440 |
| Protein | 39 g | 46 g | 41 g |
| Carbs | 4 g | 21 g | <1 g |
| Fat | 28 g | 32 g | 30 g |
| Cleanup | 4/5 2 things to wash | 4/5 2 things to wash | 5/5 1 thing to wash |
| Kid helper | No | No | No |
Nutrition is per serving. Estimate from USDA FoodData Central; not medical or dietary advice. Dietary: Based on the ingredient list and estimated nutrition; check labels; not medical advice. Cleanup score: 5 means one thing to wash, 1 means six or more. We count pots, pans, bowls and appliances, not the knife, board and spoons.
How we pick
- Fastest: the shortest total time, at least 10 minutes ahead of the next.
- Easiest: the lowest level (easy, medium, hard), then at least 2 fewer steps.
- Lightest: the fewest estimated calories a serving, at least 15% and 40 calories under the next (only when two or more have an estimate).
- Kid helper: the variation where a child can do the biggest share of the steps (no knife, no heat), when that's not all of them equally.
- Least cleanup: the best cleanup score, a point ahead of the next.
- Make it ahead: the only variation whose notes say how to make it ahead.
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free or dairy-free: the variation that fits a diet the others don't, from the ingredient lines.
A pick needs a clear winner; close calls are left out.