Easy Baked Pork Chops and Cabbage (Grandma's Recipe) (2024)

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My grandmother’s recipe for Pork Chops and Cabbage is a testament to the beauty of simplicity in cooking! It’s a delicious, hearty one-pot meal that’s perfect for dinner. Not only will your family love it, but it’s super easy to make!

Pork Chops and Cabbage

We enjoy eating pork chops for dinner, and I often make my Savory Pork Chop Recipe, but sometimes we crave the delicious, old-fashioned one-pot meal Grandma always made.

Her Pork Chops and Cabbage is the bomb, y’all!

It’s a cherished family recipe that my whole family enjoys. This meal is not only satisfying but also simple to prepare, making it a perfect choice for dinner tonight.

Why You’ll Love Pork Chops and Cabbage

• Simple Ingredients: This cabbage recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients like butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cabbage, onion, and garlic. You likely have most of these in your pantry already.
• Easy Preparation: After you season and brown the pork chops in a skillet or cast iron pan and saute up the cabbage and onions for a few minutes, the oven does the rest of the work!
• One-Pot Wonder: By using the same skillet for both the pork chops and the cabbage mixture, you minimize dishes. This makes for an easier cleanup, letting you enjoy your dinner without dreading the aftermath.
• Comfort Food: The combination of tender pork chops and flavorful cabbage cooked in butter offers a delicious and satisfying meal.

Ingredients Needed

• Pork Chops: For this recipe, you can use either bone-in or boneless pork chops. Bone-in pork chops tend to have more flavor due to the bone, while boneless pork chops are easier to eat. Aim for center-cut pork chops for the best results.
• Butter or Oil: Butter adds a rich flavor to both the pork chops and cabbage. However, if you prefer, you can substitute it with olive oil, tallow, or bacon fat.
• Salt and Pepper: Use these simple seasonings to suit your taste buds.
• Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds nice flavor to the dish.
• Cabbage: Choose a medium-sized cabbage, cored and chopped.
• Onion: A medium onion, thinly sliced, adds a slight sweetness to the dish when cooked down with the cabbage. You can use a yellow or white onion based on what you have on hand.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic, minced, infuses the cabbage with delicious flavor.

How to Make Pork Chops and Cabbage

1. Preheat Your Oven: Warm your oven up to 350 degrees to get it ready for cooking.
2. Prepare the Pork Chops: Take your bone-in or boneless pork chops and sprinkle them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder for a basic seasoning.
3. Brown the Pork Chops: Set a cast iron pan or any skillet on medium-high heat and add a bit of butter or olive oil. Once hot, add the pork chops to the pan. You want to get a little color on each side, not cook them all the way through. This should take a few minutes per side. After they’re browned, move them to a plate lined with paper towels.
4. Cook the Cabbage and Onion: In the same pan, add a chopped medium onion to the rendered pork fat, adding a tablespoon of butter if needed. Toss in chopped cabbage and season with salt, pepper, and a bit more garlic powder. Stir well and let it cook on medium heat, stirring frequently for about 10 minutes. This lets the cabbage soak up all those tasty pan drippings. Add minced garlic in the last few minutes of cooking.
5. Assemble and Bake: Transfer your cabbage and onion mix into a 4-quart casserole dish or a 9×13 dish. Place the browned pork chops on top of the cabbage. Cover the dish with its lid or aluminum foil.
6. Baking Time: Put the dish in your preheated oven and let it bake, covered, for 1 hour. After baking, it’s important to let the dish rest with the lid on for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This helps everything to settle and blend together nicely.

Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Cabbage

If you’d like to use a crock pot for this recipe, go for it! Instead of baking, layer the pork chops and cabbage in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Recipe Tips

• Browning is Key: Sear the pork chops over medium-high heat to get that perfect little color. This step locks in the juices so your pork chops stay nice and juicy!
• Use a Cast Iron Pan: If available, use a cast iron pan for even heat distribution when browning the pork chops and sautéing the cabbage. It can also go directly into the oven, making it a one-pot meal.
• Add Moisture: If the cabbage seems too dry or starts to stick to the pan, add a splash of chicken broth.
• Let it Rest: After removing the dish from the oven, let it rest covered for 10-15 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your chops are moist and perfect!

What to Serve Alongside Pork Chops and Cabbage

• Mashed Potatoes: My Creamed Potatoes pair wonderfully with the rich flavors of this recipe.
• Roasted Carrots: Toss carrots in olive oil, salt, and a little garlic powder, then roast them in the oven until they are tender and have a bit of caramelization. I also enjoy my brandied carrots with pork and baccage!
• Apple Sauce: Pork and apples are a match made in heaven. The sweetness and slight tartness of apple sauce complement the garlic and butter flavors in the pork chops and cabbage.
• Green Beans: Adding a side of my Crack Green Beans is something we commonly do at our house!
• Cornbread: Serve your pork chops and cabbage with a side of my Cheesy Cornbread!
• Biscuits: My 3-ingredient biscuits are perfect for mopping up all the delicious juices.

How to Store Leftover Pork Chops and Cabbage

1. First, let the leftovers cool to room temperature.
2. Place the cabbage and pork chops and in an airtight container. Seal the containers tightly and store them in the refrigerator. The leftovers will be good for up to three days.

Reheating Leftovers

When you’re ready to reheat your leftovers, there are a couple of methods to ensure they come out tasting great.

1. For the oven, preheat it to 350 degrees. Place the leftovers in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil to keep the moisture in. Heat until the internal temperature of the pork chops reaches 145 degrees, which usually takes about 10-15 minutes.
2. For the microwave, transfer a serving of the pork chops and cabbage into a microwave-safe dish. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, allowing a corner to vent. Microwave on medium-high heat in one-minute intervals, stirring the cabbage or flipping the pork chop halfway through, until heated thoroughly.