Country Fried Pork Chops with Bacon Gravy
Crispy, golden-brown fried pork chops smothered in a creamy bacon gravy. Pure Southern comfort food at its best!
These Country Fried Pork Chops are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, coated in a seasoned flour mixture and fried to perfection. The bacon gravy adds richness and depth, making this dish the ultimate indulgence. Perfect for a comforting dinner, paired with mashed potatoes or cornbread!
🛒 Ingredients
For the Pork Chops:
4 bone-in pork chops
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
Vegetable oil for frying
For the Bacon Gravy:
4 slices bacon
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
🔧 Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pork Chops
Marinate the pork chops: Place the bone-in pork chops in a shallow dish and pour the buttermilk over them. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the fridge). This will make them tender and juicy.
Dredge the pork chops: In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Remove each pork chop from the buttermilk, allowing the excess to drip off, and then coat it evenly with the flour mixture. Press gently to ensure the flour sticks well.
Fry the pork chops: Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the pork chops to the skillet. Fry them for 4-5 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Remove the pork chops from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
Step 2: Make the Bacon Gravy
Cook the bacon: In the same skillet used for frying the pork chops, add the bacon and cook over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon and crumble it into small pieces, leaving the rendered bacon fat in the skillet.
Make the roux: To the bacon fat, add the flour and whisk constantly to form a smooth roux. Cook for about 2 minutes until the flour turns golden and fragrant.
Add the milk: Gradually pour in the whole milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Continue to cook until the gravy thickens, about 5 minutes.
Season the gravy: Stir in the salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Add the crumbled bacon back into the gravy and mix well.
Step 3: Serve
Plate the pork chops: Place the crispy fried pork chops on serving plates.
Top with gravy: Generously spoon the bacon gravy over each pork chop.
Serve with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, or cornbread.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions:
These Country Fried Pork Chops are perfect with a side of mashed potatoes, cornbread, or even fried okra.
Don’t forget to add a vegetable like collard greens or green beans to balance out the meal.
🧊 Storage & Reheating:
Store leftover pork chops and gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave. For extra crispy pork chops, you can reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.