Try these Chinese pork chops seasoned with five-spice powder!

I always pick an easy recipe when I am busy and want to spend a minimum of time in the kitchen. Over the years, I’ve developed simple and delicious recipes using only a few ingredients. Five-spice pork chops are one of them. The pork chops are bursting with flavor after marinating with the five-spice powder.

So, what is the magic inside the five-spice powder? It’s a blend of spices consisting of cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns. Some brands also include extra spices, so it makes more than five 😁

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🛒Ingredients needed for Five-spice Pork Chop

• Pork chops. There are a few types of cuts you can choose from. You can use bone-in chops, such as rib or center-cut chops, which are all excellent choices. The bone helps to impart flavor and prevents the meat from drying out. However, I prefer to use loin chops for pan-frying in this recipe. This is because pan-frying requires full contact of the chops with the pan, making it easier to cook through. It also means that it takes less time and reduces the chances of the meat drying out eventually.
• Chinese five-spice powder. It guarantees that your pork chops are packed with flavor. This spice mix is the basis of many Chinese recipes and works well with all types of meat. It consists of cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns, and using it to marinate pork is like using five spices at once. The concept is similar to Cajun seasoning, where you practically don’t need other ingredients besides the seasoning.
• Black pepper. I know that black pepper is not a typical ingredient in Chinese recipes. However, using black pepper to season pork chops is a delicious way to enhance their flavor. I find that it complements the five-spice powder perfectly, resulting in a fantastic taste for the pork chops.

👉 How to make Chinese Pork Chop with Five-spice powder

1. Ask your butcher to cut the loin into the thickness you want. It should be around 3/4 inch in thickness.  If you decide to cut it yourself, put the pork loin in the freezer until it is half-frozen. Half-frozen pork loin is firmer, making it easier to cut into even thicknesses.

2. Put the pork chop on the chopping board. Pound it on both sides with the spine of the Chinese cleaver or with a meat mallet. This step helps to break down the connective tissue and is an effective way to tenderize the pork chops.

3. Prepare a simple marinade for the pork chops: salt, black pepper, vegetable oil,  and Chinese five-spice powder.

4. Mix these dry ingredients in a small bowl, then sprinkle on both sides of the pork chops and rub them into the meat thoroughly. Marinate the pork shop for at least an hour. It is even better to keep the pork chops in the refrigerator overnight and pan-fry them the following day.

5. Heat enough oil in the pan to pan-fry (or grill) the pork chops over medium heat until both sides are cooked. It will take two to three minutes on each side. Transfer them onto a paper towel to absorb the excess oil.

6. Finally, cut some green onions into thin rings and sprinkle them on the pork chops as garnish. As an optional step, you can add some sesame seeds on top before serving.

Do I need a sauce to serve with the pork chop?

The sauce is optional as the Chinese pork chops are packed with the flavor of the five spices. However, if you prefer to dress some sauce on the pork chops, I recommend making a sauce with the following combination: 2 tsp light soy sauce, 2 tsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp Hoisin sauce, and 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce.

All you need is to boil half a cup of chicken broth. Then, add the above ingredients and thicken them with cornstarch slurry.

This five-spice pork chop recipe is a typical Cantonese home-cooked food. As a result, it may not be served in your favorite Chinese restaurant. However, it is hugely popular among home cooks. Don’t be fooled by its simplicity. It is unquestionably delicious and is best served over white rice. Try this pork chop recipe. It will likely become your new family favorite!

💡Tips and notes for the best pork chop

1. A wok, a nonstick pan, or a large skillet are all suitable for pan-frying pork chops.
2. Add some light soy sauce and oyster sauce to the marinate for a taste variation.
3. Adding brown sugar to the marinade helps to brown the pork chops more effectively.
4. Another optional ingredient is dark soy sauce. You can use it to add some color and make the pork chops look a little darker. 
5. I pan-fry the pork chops in this recipe. However, the marinated pork chop is also ideal for grilling, baking, or cooking in the slow cooker. If you do so, it is best to use bone-in pork chops, such as center-cut or rib chops.
6. A proven variation to this recipe is to add a small amount of curry powder into the marinade. It makes a huge difference to the taste.
7. You can serve the pork chops with some salad. The Chinese will serve the pork chops with white rice and stir-fried vegetables.

🆒 How to store and reheat the pork chops?

I am an advocate for eating fresh food because it is tastier. However, if you have leftovers, I recommend storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you want to reheat the leftovers, let them return to room temperature and lightly pan-fry them. If the pork chops become too dry after reheating, you can make a sauce and drizzle it, as mentioned in the previous section.

Otherwise, you can keep the marinated pork chop, uncooked, in an air-tight container and freeze it. It can be kept for several weeks before deteriorating the taste.

📜 Other simple recipes related to this Asian Pork Chop Recipe

Here are some Chinese pork recipes on this food blog that may interest you:

• Baked pork chop with rice is a classic Hong Kong recipe. It is a famous dish in the Hong Kong-style cafe, a.k.a Cha Chan Teng. This half-Asian, half-western fusion dish is the Chinese equivalent of lasagna when you dig into the layers.
• Try other Asian pork chops like this garlic pork chop marinated with Chinese and Vietnamese seasonings.

Continue to Content

Chinese pork chops with five-spice powder

Yield: 4 pork chops

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Indulge yourself in the rich, savory flavors of Chinese pork chops with five-spice powder. I only need 3 ingredients to marinade!

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Ingredients

• 4 pork chops (weight about one pound)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp oil
• 2 tsp five-spice powder
• Sufficient oil to pan-fry

Instructions

1. Cut the pork loin to around half 3/4 inch in thickness. 
2. Pound it on both sides with the spine of the cleaver lightly to tenderize the pork chops.
3. Marinate the pork chops with salt, black pepper, vegetable oil,  and Chinese five-spice powder for at least one hour.
4. Heat enough oil in the pan.
5. Pan-fry the pork chops over medium heat until both sides are cooked. It will take two to three minutes on each side.
6. Transfer them onto a paper towel to absorb the excess oil.
7. Finally, cut some green onions into thin rings and sprinkle them on the pork chops as garnish.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  EXTRA LARGE Organic Bamboo Cutting Board with Juice Groove - Kitchen Chopping Board for Meat (Butcher Block) Cheese and Vegetables | Anti Microbial Heavy Duty Serving Tray w/Handles - 18 x 12"
• 
  KYOKU Samurai Series - 7" Cleaver Knife - Full Tang - Japanese High Carbon Steel Kitchen Knives - Pakkawood Handle with Mosaic Pin - with Sheath & Case
• 
  Joyce Chen 21-9972, Classic Series Carbon Steel Wok Set, 4-Piece, 14-Inch Charcoal
• 
  Frontier Five Spice Powder, 1.92-Ounce Bottle

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 485Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 132mgSodium: 439mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 2gSugar: 0gProtein: 41g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix on 16/01/2023