Keto Pork Chops with Asparagus

These keto pork chops are garlicky, buttery, and so flavorful. It’s a perfect keto lunch or dinner with just 4g of net carbs per serving. It’s gluten-free and Whole30 – friendly.

These buttery, herbed keto pork chops are going to make you smile.  Served with asparagus cooked in the pan’s juices, you will find this recipe a winner.

This rich garlic butter will fill you up and give your taste buds some happiness, and you can use it with other meats too!

This keto dish is so good for a couple of reasons.  Well, yes, obviously it tastes delicious!  But it also makes your meal planning a breeze.

If you have family members who aren’t following keto, mealtimes can be like juggling balls, but not this one.

It’s the perfect way to keep everyone happy as you can dish the meal up for yourself but simply add whatever carb anyone else wishes to their plate.  Dinner done!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here is a quick list of all ingredients you’ll need and possible substitute to use.

Garlic butter

Butter – Choose a grass-fed, organic butter if you can, as the flavor can be much creamier and richer.  You can use salted or unsalted.

Garlic – If you’re someone who hates crushing garlic, this garlic press is amazing.  Alternatively, you could use a garlic paste.

Garlic powder – Yes, we’re going all out with the garlic flavor.  Add some of this, too, as it gives a saltier and more intense flavor.

Dried oregano –  This is a wonderful store cupboard essential. You could use dried thyme if you wish instead.

Lemon – Choose a juicy one and give it a roll on the worktop as it helps with the juicing.

Salt and pepper – Use a sea salt and freshly ground black pepper if you can, but you can use the regular varieties too.

Pork Chops and Asparagus

Pork chops – Free-range, grass-fed pork chops are the healthiest choices for pork as these animals have been reared on a more natural diet, so try and source a good quality one.

Fresh asparagus – There are many varieties, but this recipe has used a medium-thick stalk, so it still gives you a good crunch and doesn’t take long to cook.

Salt and pepper

How to Make Keto Pork Chops with Asparagus

In a bowl, place the butter, minced garlic, garlic powder, dried oregano, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper and mix until all these ingredients are combined.

Get your pork chops ready by making a few cuts in them.

Heat a skillet to medium-high heat and then add the garlic butter, stirring to melt it.

Next, add the pork chops to the skillet, coating them well in the garlic butter.

Fry the pork chops for about 5 minutes on both sides until they are fully cooked.

Remove from the pan, and keep warm.

Now, add the asparagus to the skillet and season with salt and black pepper.

Stir well and coat in the garlic butter in the skillet.  Cook until the asparagus is soft but still has a little bite.

Serve the pork chops on plates with the asparagus and pour over all the lovely garlic butter from the pan.  Delicious!

Tip – Remember, if you do have family members not following keto, you can always add a side of new potatoes or steamed rice for them to serve with their pork chop.

How Do You Cook Pork Chops Without Drying Them Out?

Pork chops can easily dry out when cooking, but there are some tips to help with this.

Cook over an immediate high heat to sear the outside as quickly as you can.  This will keep all of those lovely juices inside.  Then turn the heat down to continue cooking all the way through.

Baste, baste, baste your chops while they are cooking by spooning over the juices in the pan or a little stock.  This helps keep the meat tender and reduces the cooking time a little too.

Don’t overcook!  Chops, especially ones without a bone, are quick to cook; you’d be surprised! However, you can always smother a chop with a cracking sauce if you feel you may have overcooked one.

Use a fattier cut – which is great for keto!  The fat will help keep the meat moist and succulent.

Slicing a pork chop up and using it for a stir fry, cooking over high heat can help keep the meat moist too.  A keto sweet and sour pork dish is possible!

Don’t forget it’s also about the aftercare, as well as the cooking.  Leave the meat to rest for a while after cooking to allow it to reabsorb the juices to give a softer result.

What Vegetable Goes Well with Pork Chops?

Pork LOVES greens.  You could use several different ones on keto, so take your pick.  The darker green the leaf, the more nutrition it has, so find something like spinach, kale, or cavolo nero.

Pork juices go well with sweeter flavors, too, so try a pork chop placed on top of a cauliflower steak as this veggie does have a milder taste than some of the greens.

Have you fried a wedge of lettuce before? Choose a tightly packed one, like a baby gem, if you fancy giving it a go. The water content in the lettuce helps with a potentially dry pork chop, and they are keto-friendly!

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