Do you know how long to bake pork chops at 350? In this jam-packed article, I will show you exactly how to determine the final cooking time of pork chops while factoring in some variables.
It’s easier than you think! And these rules will help you make the most tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked chops ever!
If you like to look at more in-depth content and cooking tutorials, you should check out this article on How Long To Boil Chicken Thighs and How Long To Bake Lasagna At 350.
What Will Affect The Baking Time Of Pork Chops?
When most people take a look at the question, “How long to cook pork chops at 350?” they usually say something like 25-30 minutes.
But unfortunately, this doesn’t help people at all! That’s because the answer isn’t as simple as that. But don’t worry!
Today I will break down everything you need to know about what affects the cooking times of pork and how it affects the outcome of the meat. This in-depth breakdown will help simplify things and make it much easier to calculate the final cooking time.
Let’s get started!
Cut Of Pork
Let’s first start with the easiest one. Today we are working with pork chops. Usually, like most chops, this cut is a loin cut taken from the opposite sides of the spine. It is a long lean muscle that usually is cut with a piece of rib or vertebra.
However, there are other cuts commonly called “chops” too.
You get a center cut of a pork loin chop. It has a large T-shaped bone which looks similar to a T-bone steak. On both sides of the T-bone, there is some tender, juicy pork meat.
Then, you also get rib chops. They are similar to rib-eye steaks and come from the rib portion of the loin cut. It doesn’t contain a piece of the vertebral column.
You can also purchase blade or shoulder chops, which contain a lot more connective tissue and are cut closer to the front of the pig. And, of course, I cannot forget to mention the sirloin chop, which is taken from the bag leg (essentially the opposite of the shoulder loin chop).
What I’ve mentioned so far is still only a drop in the bucket of options you have! But what does it matter what type of chop you have?
Size
Well, first and foremost, the different chop cuts have different sizes. And as you likely know by now, the larger the cut, the longer it will take to cook.
The smaller the cut, the shorter the cooking time will become. Pretty simple concept, but a crucial one!
Type Of Meat
Then, believe it or not, the meat itself (from the different parts of the pig) will affect how long to bake pork chops at 350.
For example, any cut with lots of connective tissue (like a blade chop or sirloin chop) will take longer to cook than cuts without this tissue. The same goes for very fatty cuts.
Not only does this affect the cooking time, but it will also affect the cooking method (more on that later).
Thickness Of The Chops
Now, not only will the size (length and width) affect the cooking time of the chops but so will the thickness.
Again, the thicker the chops are, the longer their baking time will have to be. A 1-inch chop will take less time to cook than a 2-inch chop.
Bone-In Versus Bone-Out
This is something that many people overlook, but bones make chops take longer to cook.
That is why you will see most “quick and easy” pork chops recipes made with boneless pork chops. It can still be any type of chop cut you usually like, but the bone and excess fat has been removed.
Cooking Method
And finally, today, we are looking at baking-based cooking methods. We are also only baking pork chops at 350.
However, as I have briefly touched upon earlier, some specific cuts may need specific baking methods.
One particular example of this again has to do with cuts containing a ton of connective tissue. These cuts benefit from being baked in a braising liquid to help prevent them from becoming dry and chewy.
But, on top of already just taking longer to cook, the added liquid will further increase this baking time. But trust me, it’s worth the wait. Nothing is worse than dry pork!
How Long To Bake Pork Chops At 350
So, now that we have taken a more in-depth look at what affects the final baking times of pork chops, let’s look at specific cooking times.
On average, a pork chop is about 1 1/4-inch in thickness and weighs about 6 ounces. The exact weight differs from cut to cut, as some are larger.
A 1-inch chop takes about 20-25 minutes to bake at 350. This is your starting point. Again, thinner chops will take less time to cook, and thicker chops take more time.
On average, you will add about 5 minutes per 1/2-inch extra height. And you will take away about 5 minutes for every 1/2-inch thinner chop.
Keep in mind that these rules only apply to bone-in chops.
Regardless of which method you choose, you will have to keep baking them until their internal temperature reaches 145ºF (63ºC).
Baking Thin Pork Chops At 350
A thin pork chop is anything smaller than 1 inch in thickness. Again, a 1-inch pork chop takes about 20-25 minutes. A 1 1/2-inch pork chop will take between 25-30 minutes.
Anything smaller than an inch in thickness will take anywhere between 8-12 minutes at 350 degrees. The final cooking time will depend on the overall size of the chop, the type of meat, and the exact cooking method you are using.
Baking Thick Pork Chops At 350
Thicker pork chops are anything thicker than 1 1/2 inches. This is where the time per pound rule comes in handier for a more accurate calculation.
On average, a 1 1/2-inch chop will take 25-30 minutes to bake. A 2-inch chop takes about 35-40 minutes to bake.
And again, many factors will affect the final cooking time of the chops. So keep baking them until their internal temperature reaches 145.
Baking Boneless Pork Chops At 350
And finally, as I’ve mentioned before, boneless chops take less time to cook.
You can shave off a couple of minutes from the overall cooking time. If you are working with 1-inch or thicker chops, I would take away at least 5 minutes.
If you are working with thin chops, I would only take away about 2-3 minutes off the overall cooking time.
FAQs
When are the pork chops done?
The best way to know when your chops are done is to test their internal temperature, which should be 145ºF (63ºC) at the thickest part. The meat should also be firm (not dry), and there shouldn’t be any juices running out of the meat.
How long can pork chops cook at 300?
The lower cooking temperature means that the chops will take longer to bake. This is a pretty low temperature, so usually, people would bake the chops for hours (at least 1 1/2 hours) to get the most tender results. At this temperature, it is also recommended to add liquid so that the chops don’t dry out.
How long can pork chops cook at 400?
Depending on the thickness, and whether it is boneless or not, pork chops can cook at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes. Pork chops are considered done when they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Let the pork chops rest for 3-5 minutes before cutting into them. Enjoy!
How long can port chops cook at 425 degrees?
Pork chops can cook for about 14-18 minutes at 425 degrees depending on thickness and whether they have bones or not.
Is it better to bake pork chops at high or low temperatures?
That ultimately depends on your preference. I like to cook cuts that have a ton of connective tissue at lower temperatures for longer times. But most pork cuts do well with medium-high temperatures (350-375 degrees).
Tamira Houston
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