Creamy Cajun Pork Chops - The Best Keto Recipes (2024)

By Maggie Mayoza Published in 30-Minute Recipes

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You’ll love these Creamy Cajun Pork Chops when you need a quick, low-carb dinner! Get the juiciest, thick-cut pork chops with a deliciously flavorful sauce in this easy one-pan recipe.

Creamy Cajun Pork Chops - The Best Keto Recipes (1)

Cajun Pork Chops

Pork chops are a favorite in our house — They’re versatile, quick, and can be made healthy or indulgent depending on your mood! With this recipe you get juicy, tender meat and an extremely flavorful sauce that comes together easily. It’s fast enough for a weeknight dinner and so delectable you’ll want to serve it the next time you have company!

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Why you’ll love it:

  • Quick & Easy – This recipe gives you four large servings of juicy, impressive pork chops within 30 minutes! You don’t need any special equipment or difficult ingredients. It’s easy enough for a weeknight, and it will go with nearly any veggie for easy sides.
  • Super Juicy & Flavorful – The simple spice blend and creamy sauce make it easy to churn out delicious pork chops even as a beginner! Finishing the pork chops in the sauce and using a meat thermometer make it easy to get the perfect cook even if you’re not used to cooking pork chops.
  • Freezable for Meal Prep – If you like to plan ahead to have easy, cooked meals on hand, this is the perfect recipe for you! This recipe is perfect for stocking the freezer for a growing family, stressed neighbors, or someone in need of a good dinner.
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Ingredients for Creamy Cajun Pork Chops

Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need for this recipe. You can find exact measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

  • Thick-Cut Pork Chops – We love the thick-cut pork chops from Butcher Box (if you’re curious, this link should give us both $50 off). They’re uniform in size, 8 ounces each, and about 2 inches thick. If yours are smaller or thinner, you may need to decrease the cooking time.
  • Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Chili Powder, Paprika, Dried Oregano, Kosher Salt, and Cayenne Pepper (optional) – This blend creates a flavorful seasoning with hints of Cajun flare. If you like spice, go for the cayenne; feel free to leave it out if you want your dish more mild! You can use a store-bought Cajun seasoning, but be careful of the often high levels of salt.
  • Olive Oil – You can swap this out for your favorite cooking oil if you prefer.
  • Butter – This creates a velvety texture and beautiful flavor in the sauce. I have not used any butter substitutes, but I think a plant based butter could work similarly.
  • Heavy Cream – This is the heavy whipping cream, but you’ll pour it in unwhipped. I have not used any substitutes for this, but you could look for a store-bought plant-based cream alternative.

How to Make One Pan Pork Chops

This easy keto dinner is great for beginner cooks! You’ll just need a large skillet with a lid, a stovetop or hot plate, and a meat thermometer. Follow this step-by-step guide for beautifully juicy chops and the perfect cream sauce!

Season & Sear

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Combine the spices in a small bowl, then sprinkle each side of the pork chops with the spices. You can pat the seasoning into the pork chops to help the granules stick to the meat a little better. Heat a large skillet to medium heat. Add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. When the butter is melted, add the seasoned pork chops to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Make Sauce

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Remove the pork from the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the butter and allow the mixture to come to a simmer, stirring occasionally slowly.

Simmer Pork Chops in Sauce

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When the sauce has simmered softly for 3-4 minutes, add the pork chops back to the skillet and cover. Cook the pork over medium-low for 10-15 minutes or until the pork chop reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F with a meat thermometer.

How to Serve Creamy Cajun Pork Chops

Sprinkle some fresh herbs for a burst of flavor and color on the plate, maybe even a dash of parmesan cheese if you want to be a little extra! Serve with some Mashed Cauliflower, a Keto Dinner Roll, and a Sugar-Free Gin Fizz for an impressive, full dinner with about 11 net carbs! For an easy, healthy weeknight meal, serve it on a bed of crispy Air Fryer Broccoli.

More keto sides for pork:

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Creamy Cajun Pork Chops - The Best Keto Recipes (12)

Storage & Freezing Instructions

Allow the pork chops and sauce to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3-4 days. If you’d like to keep the pork chops longer, place in a freezer-safe container. Pork chops will have the best flavor and texture if eaten within 3 months after freezing.

Pro Tip: Using these reusable bags means you can freeze and reheat the pork chops all in the same container! Great for reducing waste and dishes!

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Best way to reheat pork chops without drying them out:

  • Stove top – Heat a skillet to medium-low, then add in your pork chops and sauce and cover. Stir occasionally for even heating, flipping the pork chops over after 3-4 minutes to warm up the other side.
  • Oven – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the pork chops and sauce in a baking dish and cover with foil. Heat in the oven for about 10 minutes, flipping the pork chops and stirring the sauce halfway through the reheating time.
  • Microwave – Place pork chops and sauce on a plate, ensuring the pork chop is covered in the sauce for the juiciest meat. Blast on 50% power in 45-60 second increments, flipping the pork chop and swirling the sauce around after each blast.

If your pork chops are frozen, first let them defrost overnight in the fridge. This helps keep the sauce super smooth and the meat nice and tender. Thawing too quickly can cause the cells in the food to break down, causing a broken sauce or tough meat.

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If you like this easy keto dinner, you’re going to love these low-carb recipes!

  • Instant Pot Pork Chops – Perfect for those nights you don’t want to heat up the kitchen or take up oven space! The gravy is so tasty, you’re going to want a keto roll or two to sop up all the flavor.
  • – This is a super filling meal that is ready quick enough for a busy weeknight. Add some Mashed Cauliflower for a classic, delicious dinner!
  • Asian Pork Chops with Sesame Broccoli – Such a great one-pan meal! This one doesn’t need an additional side, though some Cauliflower Fried Rice would be nice.
  • Air Fryer Pork Chops – These are so easy and juicy! They’re perfect for a weeknight or lazy weekend because it’s ready in 20 minutes and doesn’t require much work or cleanup at all.
  • Pork Chops & Green Bean Sheet Pan – This is an easy, healthy meal that will help you keep your sanity through busy times. Very little prep, effort, or cleanup involved at all!

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Creamy Cajun Pork Chops

Annie

You'll love these Creamy Cajun Pork Chops when you need a quick, low-carb dinner! Get the juiciest, thick-cut pork chops with a deliciously flavorful sauce in this easy one-pan recipe.

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Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner, One Pan

Cuisine Keto

Servings 4 servings

Calories 447 kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 thick cut pork chops about 8 ounces each
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter divided
  • 1 1/4 cups heavy cream

Instructions

  • Combine the spices in a small bowl. Sprinkle each side of the pork chops with the spices.

  • Heat a large skillet to medium heat. Add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. When the butter is melted, add the seasoned pork chops to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.

  • Remove the pork from the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the butter and allow the mixture to come to a simmer, stirring occasionally slowly.

  • When the sauce has simmered softly for 3-4 minutes, add the pork chops back to the skillet and cover.

  • Cook the pork over medium-low for 10-15 minutes or until the pork chop reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.

Notes

Cook time will depend on size of pork chops. Mine were 8 ounces each and thick cut, so yours may need more or less time depending on how they compare.

Net carbs are 3.7 g per serving

Nutrition

Serving: 1 pork chopCalories: 447kcalCarbohydrates: 4.6gProtein: 15.5gFat: 41.5gCholesterol: 142.6mgSodium: 287.7mgFiber: 0.9gSugar: 2.4g

Keyword easy dinner ideas, keto recipes, one pan recipe, pork chop recipe

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Creamy Cajun Pork Chops - The Best Keto Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Can I eat pork chops on keto? ›

Keto Low-Carb Smothered Pork Chops is a quick and easy pan-fried and seared recipe that uses either boneless or bone-in pork loin chops. This classic, southern dish is made using a cast-iron skillet to produce breaded chops with brown gravy. The traditional, glazed meal has been transformed into a keto-friendly dish.

Is cajun keto friendly? ›

Low in Carbs: Cajun seasoning contains 19.98g of total carbohydrates per 100g, and when used in moderation as a spice, the carb content becomes negligible, making it appropriate for a keto diet.

How to infuse flavor into pork chops? ›

Mix seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and liquid smoke together in a small bowl until thoroughly combined. Rinse pork chops. Sprinkle wet chops on both sides with spice mixture. Massage spices into meat, then let stand for 10 minutes.

How to make pork taste better? ›

Here's our best advice for preparing better pork:
  1. Keep the Fat. The fat on pork is great for flavor, so definitely don't trim it off. ...
  2. Buy Bone-In. ...
  3. Embrace Marinades. ...
  4. Consider Brining. ...
  5. Use a Meat Thermometer. ...
  6. Let it Rest.

What meats should I avoid on keto? ›

MEATS TO AVOID ON KETO

While most meats are keto-friendly, there are some that should be avoided due to their high carbohydrate count. These include: Battered or breaded meats, like chicken nuggets or fried fish filets. Meats served in sweet sauces, like barbecue sauce or Hoisin sauce.

Which part of pork is best for keto? ›

Pork has a macronutrient ratio of 50% fat, 40% protein, and 5% carbs. Keto dieters can feel free to indulge in pork options like baby back ribs, sugar-free bacon, plain ham, pork belly, pork rinds, sugar-free sausages, pork shoulder, and pork tenderloin.

What seasonings to avoid on keto? ›

High-Carb Sauces and Condiments

Many seasonings contain sugars and starches that can quickly add up and disrupt ketosis. Examples of condiments to avoid include ketchup, BBQ sauce, and sweet dressings.

What foods are off limits with keto? ›

It is best if you aim to consume around 12-15g net carbs from vegetables per day, and here are the keto diet foods to avoid:
  • Potatoes.
  • Sweet potatoes.
  • Baked potatoes.
  • Yams.
  • Peas.
  • Corn.
  • Artichoke.
  • Parsnips.

What is the secret to moist pork chops? ›

Fat is key to keeping pork chops moist

Basting them with fat, such as butter. Add in aromatics while basting for more flavor — similar to how you might cook a steak — and then you have the added bonus of browned butter and crispy garlic and/or herbs to serve with the meat.

What seasoning is best for pork chops? ›

Pork Chop Seasoning Ingredients
  • 2 Tablespoons smoked paprika.
  • 1 Tablespoon kosher salt.
  • 1 Tablespoon black pepper.
  • 1 Tablespoon brown sugar.
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder.
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard.
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
Mar 28, 2023

What spice brings out the flavor of pork? ›

Some of the best seasonings to pair with pork are salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Some other spices and herbs that pair well with pork are cumin, chili powder, rosemary, black pepper, sage, fennel, ginger and much more!

What makes pork chops taste better? ›

Tip #2: Season the chops with salt half an hour before cooking. This way, the salt has a chance to improve the flavor and texture of the meat. Pork chops are lean, so seasoning with salt before cooking is essential for making the most flavorful chops. Tip #3: Rub the chops with spices and some flour.

How to make pork extremely tender? ›

How do you make pork soft and tender? Soak your pork in a salt-based brine before cooking it using your desired method. Pork chops need to soak between 12–24 hours, an entire pork tenderloin needs to soak for 6–12 hours, and an entire pork loin requires 2–4 days of soaking.

How do you keep pork moist and tender? ›

Brining pork chops is one of the best ways way to guarantee a juicy cooked pork chop. Even a quick 30-minute brine (or up to four hours) makes a big difference. It's not strictly necessary — you can still use this method to make great pork chops even without brining — but if you have some extra time, I recommend it.

How much pork can I eat on keto? ›

At each meal, aim for 3 to 4 ounces of protein, like lean beef, fish, or pork, depending on your macronutrient needs. Cook with butter or oil (yes, seriously).

Is pork chops high in carbs? ›

Pork Chop (1 small or thin cut (3 oz, with bone, raw) (yield after cooking, bone removed)) contains 0g total carbs, 0g net carbs, 6.8g fat, 13.1g protein, and 118 calories.

Can you eat pork chops when trying to lose weight? ›

Pork chops are an easy-to-cook lean red meat. They offer important nutrients like protein, selenium, zinc, and iron that support everyday body functions and can be helpful in losing weight. Because pork chops are considered red meat, you should be mindful of how frequently you eat them.

How many carbs in a plain pork chop? ›

Pork chops, center loin, fresh, visible fat eaten (3 ounce) contains 0g total carbs, 0g net carbs, 8.6g fat, 24.5g protein, and 182 calories.

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