Southern Fried Pork Chops with Bacon Gravy

Southern Fried Pork Chops with Bacon Gravy 🥓🍖

Crispy, golden pork chops smothered in a creamy, smoky bacon gravy—comfort food at its finest!

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins | Total Time: 40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

For the Pork Chops:

• 4 bone-in pork chops (¾-inch thick)
• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 large egg, beaten
• ¼ cup (60ml) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar)
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Bacon Gravy:

• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 tbsp bacon grease (reserved from frying)
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups (360ml) whole milk (or half-and-half for extra richness)
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

Instructions

1. Fry the Bacon:

1. In a large skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon, leaving 2 tbsp grease in the pan.

2. Bread & Fry the Pork Chops:

1. Mix flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
2. In another dish, whisk egg and buttermilk.
3. Dredge each chop in flour → egg → flour again.
4. Fry in 350°F (175°C) oil (about ½-inch deep) for 4-5 mins per side until golden and internal temp reaches 145°F (63°C). Drain on a wire rack.

3. Make the Bacon Gravy:

1. In the same skillet with bacon grease, whisk in 2 tbsp flour to make a roux (cook 1 min).
2. Slowly pour in milk, whisking constantly until thickened (~5 mins).
3. Stir in cooked bacon, salt, pepper, and cayenne.

4. Serve:

• Place pork chops on a platter and smother with gravy.

Pro Tips

✔ Extra crispy chops: Double-dip in egg/flour.
✔ No buttermilk? Use plain yogurt thinned with milk.
✔ Gravy too thick? Add a splash of chicken broth.

Serving Ideas

• 🥔 Pair with mashed potatoes and collard greens.
• 🍞 Soak up gravy with buttermilk biscuits.
• 🌶️ Spicy twist: Add hot sauce to the gravy.

This dish is rich, smoky, and pure Southern comfort—worth every calorie! Let me know if you’d like a baked version or gluten-free adaptation. 😊

(Store leftovers in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat gently to keep chops crispy!)