How to Cook Delicious Stuffed Pork Chops from Hy-Vee

Stuffed pork chops take ordinary pork chops to the next level. Filling the chops with tasty ingredients like cheese, vegetables or fruit adds flavor and moisture. Hy-Vee sells pre-stuffed pork chops that are ready to cook. With a few simple steps, you can make these stuffed chops into a mouthwatering meal.

Selecting the Best Stuffed Pork Chops

• Look for thick, bone-in pork chops around 1-1 1⁄2 inches thick to hold the filling well.

• Choose chops that are stuffed with flavors you enjoy like spinach and feta apples and sausage or blue cheese and buffalo sauce.

• Pick chops that feel firm and are stuffed evenly. Avoid any with split casings.

• For safety make sure the sell-by date hasn’t passed.

Choosing plump chops filled with delicious flavors is the first step.

Prep Work Before Cooking

To prep stuffed pork chops for optimal cooking:

• Place chops on a plate and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.

• If there is excess moisture on the surface, blot with additional paper towels.

• Let sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before cooking.

• Preheat your oven, grill or pan while chops are resting.

Proper pat-drying and resting brings the chops to room temp for even cooking.

Baking Stuffed Pork Chops in the Oven

Baking is a simple, hands-off way to cook stuffed chops.

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.

• Arrange chops on sheet. Bake 35-60 minutes until internal temp reaches 165°F.

• Check often and tent with foil if browning too quickly.

The oven’s dry heat thoroughly cooks the meat while heating the filling.

Grilling Stuffed Pork Chops

Grilling imparts delicious charred flavor. Follow these tips:

• Oil grates well. Heat grill to medium heat.

• Grill chops over direct heat for 5-7 minutes per side with lid closed.

• Move to indirect heat if flames flare up.

• Grill until internal temp hits 145-160°F for ideal doneness.

Grilling requires more attention than the oven but gives the best caramelized exterior.

Pan-Searing Stuffed Pork Chops

For delicious browning, pan-sear on the stovetop:

• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a bit of oil or butter.

• Once hot, place chops in pan. Do not overcrowd.

• Sear 4-5 minutes per side until browned.

• Reduce heat to medium and cook, flipping occasionally, until 145-160°F internally.

Pan-searing gives you control to cook the stuffed chops to juicy perfection.

Internal Temperatures for Safety and Doneness

Always cook stuffed pork chops to a safe internal temperature using a meat thermometer.

• 145°F = minimal pink, juicy
• 160°F = slightly pink, very tender
• 165°F = no pink, drier

Cooking to between 145-160°F ensures the filling is fully heated while keeping the chops moist.

Let Them Rest Before Serving

Once cooked, let the chops rest for 5 minutes before cutting into them. This allows juices to redistribute so they don’t run out when you cut.

Digging right in can lead to dryness, so be patient!

Serving Suggestions

Stuffed chops pair nicely with many side dishes:

• Baked potatoes or sweet potatoes
• Rice or roasted veggies
• Salad or roasted brussels sprouts
• Butternut squash or baked beans

Get creative with complementary sides that balance the flavors.

Troubleshooting Tips

Avoid these common stuffed pork chop pitfalls:

• Dryness from overcooking – use a meat thermometer.

• Not resting before slicing leads to lost juices.

• Browning too quickly – tent with foil.

• Uneven cooking if chops are radically different sizes.

• Allow extra time if cooking direct from fridge.

With a few simple tricks, you can cook stuffed pork chops from Hy-Vee to tender, juicy perfection.

The possibilities are endless with Hy-Vee’s selection of stuffed chops. Follow this guide for baking, grilling or pan-searing them to savory success! Your family will keep requesting these easy yet impressive stuffed pork chops for dinner.