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How to Cut Your Own Delicious Pork Chops from a Pork Loin

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Cutting your own pork chops from a whole pork loin is an easy way to save money while getting incredibly tasty and fresh pork chops. With just a few simple steps and a sharp knife you can turn an economical pork loin into a pile of mouthwatering pork chops to feed your family.

What You’ll Need

To cut pork chops yourself, you’ll need just a few items:

  • A whole boneless pork loin – I recommend getting one that’s about 8 ribs long. Boneless loins are easiest to cut into chops

  • A very sharp chef’s knife or meat cutting knife. A dull knife will make cutting much more difficult.

  • A cutting board Look for one with a non-slip bottom and a juice groove to catch meat juices

  • Kitchen twine or butcher’s twine. This is optional but can help hold pork chops together as you cook them.

Step 1: Prepare the Pork Loin

Take the pork loin out of the box and use paper towels to dry it. Place it on a cutting board. That side with a little fat should be put down fat side down to keep it stable.

Examine the loin and locate the natural divisions between the individual ribs. This is where you’ll be slicing the chops.

Step 2: Cut Between the Ribs

Cut down between each rib with a very sharp chef’s knife, cutting through the meat to make pork chops.

  • Make the cuts around 2 to 2 1/2 inches thick so the chops aren’t too thin.

  • Do not remove all the fat; some fat adds flavor and moisture.

  • Cut off any large pieces of fat or connective tissue.

  • Each chop should contain two ribs.

  • Work slowly and carefully as you cut between each rib.

Step 3: Tie the Chops (Optional)

If desired, tie each pork chop with a piece of kitchen twine or butcher’s twine. This isn’t necessary but can help the chops hold their shape better as they cook.

To tie them, simply loop a piece of string around the outside of each chop and tie securely. Remove the string before eating.

Pork Loin Chop Styles

There are a few different ways you can cut chops from a pork loin:

  • Double-cut – These chops contain 2 ribs and are cut about 2-2.5 inches thick. This is the most common way to cut pork chops.

  • Single-cut – Contains 1 rib and is thinner, around 1 inch thick.

  • Butterfly – The pork loin is sliced horizontally but not all the way through, then opened up like a book. This creates a thinner, larger chop.

  • Boneless – The ribs are removed before slicing. These chops are uniform in size and shape.

Choosing a Pork Loin

For the best home-cut pork chops, look for:

  • Bone-in loins – The bones add flavor and the chops hold together better. Get boneless only if you strongly prefer boneless chops.

  • Well-marbled – Some fat marbling throughout the loin adds tenderness and moisture. Avoid very lean loins.

  • 8 ribs long – This size allows you to cut 4-6 chops from one loin. Buy a larger or smaller loin if you need more or fewer chops.

  • Around 5 lbs – A 5 lb pork loin is ideal for cutting chops for a family. Size up or down according to your needs.

Storing and Cooking Your Pork Chops

Freshly cut pork chops can be:

  • Cooked immediately

  • Wrapped tightly and refrigerated for 3-4 days

  • Frozen for 4-6 months

To cook, seasons the chops with salt, pepper, herbs, etc. Grill, pan-fry, bake, or bread and fry until cooked through but still juicy. Cook to an internal temperature of 145°F. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Enjoy your home-cut, fresh pork chops! Cutting your own chops from a whole pork loin can save you money while giving you total control over chop thickness and quality.

how to cut pork chops from pork loin

How To Cut A Pork Loin at HOME into Pork Chops and Roasts | Biteseez

FAQ

Can you make pork chops from tenderloin?

What Part of the Pig Is a Pork Chop? Pork chops all come from the loin, which runs from the hip to the shoulder and contains the small strip of meat called the tenderloin. The most common chops you see in the butcher case are from the ribs and the loin.

Can I use pork loin instead of pork chops?

Each section is then cut into the smaller, more popular cuts that we are familiar with lining the meat case. Both the pork chop and loin come from the same section (via Your Meat Guide). From a culinary perspective, the two are not interchangeable, so think twice before subbing one in for another in a recipe.

What cuts can you get from a pork loin?

Loin: The area between the shoulder and back legs is the leanest, most tender part of the animal. Rib and loin chops are cut from this area, as are pork loin roasts and tenderloin roasts.

How do you cut pork chops from a pork loin?

Learn how to cut your own pork chops from a pork loin from Food Network Magazine. Buy an 8-rib bone-in pork loin; ask your butcher to notch the chine bone. Make a shallow cut every 2 ribs to mark your chops. Learn how to cut your own pork chops from a pork loin from Food Network Magazine.

What is the leanest cut of pork?

Cuts from the pork loin are the leanest and most tender pork cuts. Be careful to avoid overcooking any cut of pork from the loin (they usually have the word “loin” in their name, i.e., tenderloin, loin chop, etc.). The three sections of the pork loin are: Blade end is closest to the shoulder and tends to be fatty.

How long should a boneless pork chop be?

You can leave this as a whole piece and it would make a great roast. This will typically be 6 – 7 inches long depending on the size of the blade end that you cut. But instead of a roast we want some nice thick cut boneless pork chops. I like mine a minimum of 1 1/4 inch but you can cut yours as thick or thin as you desire.

What are the different types of pork chops?

Several different cuts can be called pork chops. All are great grilled, broiled, or pan-fried. Note that thicker cut pork chops with the bone still attached cook up the juiciest and most flavorful. In descending order of tenderness (and thus expense), specific pork chops cuts are:

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