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    Home » Recipes » Pork

    Published: Jul 16, 2021 · Last Updated: Sep 22, 2022 by Kyndra Holley

    Lemon Thyme Pork Chops

    This post may contain affiliate links

    1337 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    pan-seared pork chops with a lemon thyme pan sauce, served with cauliflower mash and brussels sprouts
    cast iron skillet with pork chops, fresh lemons, thyme, and pan sauce
    Lemon Thyme Pork Chops plated with mashed cauliflower and roasted brussels sprouts
    cast iron skillet with pork chops, fresh lemons, thyme, and pan sauce

    These Lemon Thyme Pork Chops are a quick and easy one pot keto meal. The drippings from the pork, combined with butter, chicken stock, fresh lemons, shallots, seasoning and thyme come together to form a rich, delicious pan sauce. It makes for an excellent keto gravy. This is delicious served with creamy cauliflower mash and roasted brussels sprouts. Best of all, it can be ready in less than 30 minutes.

    pan-seared pork chops with a lemon thyme pan sauce, served with cauliflower mash and brussels sprouts
    Table of Contents show
    Ingredients in Lemon Thyme Pork Chops
    Ingredients Notes
    Step by Step Instructions
    How to make Lemon Thyme Pork Chops
    Recipe Tips and Variations
    Frequently Asked Questions
    Other Recipes You Might Enjoy
    Sign up for our newsletter
    Lemon Thyme Pork Chops

    Ingredients in Lemon Thyme Pork Chops

    ingredients to make lemon thyme pork chops - pork, lemon, thyme, butter, chicken stock, shallot

    Ingredients Notes

    • Pork chops: For this Lemon Thyme Pork Chop recipe, I use thick cut pork chops. You can use boneless, or bone-in - both will work just great. You can even use a thin cut pork chop. Just be sure to adjust the cook time so that you do not end up with dry pork. (more keto pork recipes)
    • Thyme: If you do not have any time on hand, or you are not a fan of fresh thyme, you can substitute basil, rosemary, or a combination of both.
    • Chicken Stock: For the lemon thyme pan sauce, I used chicken stock, but you can also use beef stock.
    • Butter: The butter in this recipe gives the pan sauce a rich, silky texture. For a dairy free, whole3o option, you can use butter flavored coconut oil.
    • Cooking Sherry: This is a grape wine that is fortified with brandy and has a little salt added. It adds a subtly sweet, nutty flavor. If you do not have any cooking sherry, or cannot find it at your local grocery store, you can use white wine, white wine vinegar, marsala, apple cider vinegar, sherry vinegar, or even dry vermouth.

    Step by Step Instructions

    Left - raw pork chops seasoned with salt and pepper - Right - pan-seared pork chops

    How to make Lemon Thyme Pork Chops

    STEP 1: Season the pork chops generously on both sides with salt and pepper.

    STEP 2: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the pork chops and sear on both sides until golden brown and a slight crust has formed.

    Left - cooked pork chops on a plate - right - skillet with sauteed shallots

    STEP 3: Remove the pork chops from the pan, cover and set aside.

    STEP 4: Reduce the heat to medium, add the shallots and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

    skillet with pan sauce - lemon, thyme butter, chicken stock

    STEP 5: Add the cooking sherry to the pan and deglaze, scraping up and mixing in any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Add the chicken stock, thyme sprigs, and lemon slices to the pan. Bring to a bowl, and then reduce the heat to low to simmer.

    STEP 6: Add the butter to the pan and swirl it with a spatula to melt it into the sauce.

    skillet with pan sauce - lemon, thyme butter, chicken stock

    STEP 7: Let simmer until the sauce has reduced by half.

    STEP 8: Add the pork chops back to the pan and cook until they have finished cooking all the way through. If you have trouble telling when pork is finished, I recommend using a meat thermometer. Pork is fully cooked once it has reached an internal temperature of 145°F.

    cast iron skillet with pork chops, fresh lemons, thyme, and pan sauce

    Recipe Tips and Variations

    • Serving suggestions: I like to serve these Lemon Thyme Pork Chops with Creamy Cauliflower Mash and Roasted Brussels Sprouts. It is also delicious served with this Creamed Spinach, or Steamed Artichokes and Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes.
    • Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • Reheating: I recommend reheating this on the stove top and adding a little chicken stock to the pan.
    • Change the protein: This is also delicious with chicken thighs, steak, or even salmon.
    • Swap the herbs: If you are not a fan of thyme, or just don't have any on hand, rosemary and/or basil make excellent substitutions.
    • Make it dairy free: To make this lemon thyme pan sauce dairy free, simply swap the butter for butter flavored coconut oil.
    • Make it creamy: For a creamier sauce, add a little heavy cream and sour cream when you add the butter. You can also try this Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Dill Sauce Recipe.
    • Make it crispy: For a crispy version, coat the pork in my Nut Free Keto Breading Mixture before pan-searing it.
    Lemon Thyme Pork Chops plated with mashed cauliflower and roasted brussels sprouts

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do you make a pan sauce?

    You make a pan sauce by cooking a protein in a fat like butter or olive oil and then removing the protein from the pan, deglazing the pan with liquid, like wine or stock, and then scraping up and mixing in all the delicious bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pan (this is called fond). Then you add aromatics and more fat and let the sauce simmer to reduce.

    How do you know if pork is done?

    Pork is done cooking when it has reached an internal temperature of 145°F.

    What is a good substitution for cooking sherry?

    You can use white wine, white wine vinegar, marsala, apple cider vinegar, sherry vinegar, or even dry vermouth.

    Lemon Thyme Pork Chops plated with mashed cauliflower and roasted brussels sprouts

    Other Recipes You Might Enjoy

    • An enameled cast iron skillet with roasted broccoli, homemade cheese sauce and chopped crispy bacon.
      Keto Broccoli with Cheese Sauce and Bacon
    • An enameled cast iron skillet with cooked chicken breasts, topped with a caramelized onion pan sauce and melty cheese.
      Keto French Onion Chicken
    • A serving plate with a chicken breast that is stuffed and then wrapped in prosciutto and topped with pesto cream sauce and toasted pine nuts.
      Stuffed Chicken with Pesto Cream Sauce
    • A serving bowl with bite sized pieces of chicken, enchilada sauce, cheese, avocado, cilantro and pico de Gallo.
      Keto Chicken Enchilada Bowls

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    Lemon Thyme Pork Chops plated with mashed cauliflower and roasted brussels sprouts.

    Lemon Thyme Pork Chops


    ★★★★★

    4.8 from 5 reviews

    • Author: Kyndra Holley
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    These Lemon Thyme Pork Chops are a quick and easy one pot keto meal. The drippings from the pork, combined with butter, chicken stock, fresh lemons, shallots, seasoning and thyme come together to form a rich and delicious pan sauce. It makes for an excellent keto gravy. This is delicious served with creamy cauliflower mash and roasted brussels sprouts. Best of all, it can be ready in less than 30 minutes.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 pounds pork chops (4 total) (I get all my pork here)
    • sea salt and black pepper
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 shallot, finely chopped
    • ¼ cup cooking sherry
    • 1 cup chicken stock
    • 2 fresh thyme sprigs
    • 1 lemon, sliced
    • 2 tablespoons butter

    Instructions

    1. Season the pork chops generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
    2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the pork chops and sear on both sides until golden brown and a slight crust has formed.
    3. Remove the pork chops from the pan, cover and set aside.
    4. Reduce the heat to medium, add the shallots and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
    5. Add the cooking sherry to the pan and deglaze, scraping up and mixing in any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
    6. Add the chicken stock, thyme sprigs, and lemon slices to the pan. Bring to a bowl, and then reduce the heat to low to simmer. Let simmer until the sauce has reduced by half.
    7. Add the butter to the pan and swirl it with a spatula to melt it into the sauce.
    8. Add the pork chops back to the pan and cook until they have finished cooking all the way through. If you have trouble telling when pork is finished, I recommend using a meat thermometer. Pork is fully cooked once it has reached an internal temperature of 145°F.

    Notes

    • net carbs per serving:
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 minutes
    • Category: Pork Dishes
    • Method: Pan-seared

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 pork chop

    Keywords: pork recipes, keto pork chops, pan sauce, pan gravy, low carb pork chop recipes, gluten free dinner recipes

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @kyndraholley on Instagram and hashtag it #peaceloveandlowcarb

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Penny says

      May 16, 2022 at 4:26 pm

      I made this tonight and, just like all of Kyndra's recipes I have tried, it was a hit! I love the lemony flavor of the sauce. I am not really sure how to cook with fresh herbs, but I am so excited to lean more. Thanks!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Layla says

      March 07, 2022 at 1:02 pm

      Simply delicious! This recipe is easy to prepare and produces a mouth-watering, tender pork chop. It’s going into our regular rotation.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Debbie says

      January 26, 2022 at 4:24 pm

      I made this tonight and it was absolutely one of the best new recipes I’ve tried lately! I added some heavy cream in with the sauce giving it a creamy gravy…I could have licked the pan!

      Reply
    4. Nicole A. says

      September 08, 2021 at 10:24 pm

      My husband and I are obsessed with this recipe. I've made it 6 times now since I discovered it a month ago. I like to switch it up and use boneless skinless chicken thighs too! Each time I make more of the sauce because it's so delicious. Great recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Patrice says

      August 18, 2021 at 2:20 pm

      Finally a recipe that produces tender, juicy pork and not a dried piece of jerky. Delicious!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Barb says

      July 31, 2021 at 3:22 pm

      Easy to make and nice flavor. I used a boneless pork chop and I think it over cooked. Will use bone in next time.

      ★★★★

      Reply
    7. Karen says

      July 23, 2021 at 11:10 am

      Can you use dried thyme if you don't have fresh? If so, how much?

      Reply

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    About Kyndra


    Kyndra
    Hey there! Welcome to my site! I am Kyndra Holley - International Best Selling Cookbook Author, and the face behind this blog. I am an avid lover of all things low carb, keto and gluten free. I focus on real, whole food ingredients that you can find at your local grocer. Read more about Peace Love and Low Carb...

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