Spanish Pork Chops
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These Spanish pork chops are filled to the brim with bold Iberian flavors: smoky chorizo, creamy manchego cheese, briny green olives, and roasted peppers meld with sundried tomatoes and fresh parsley to bring the vibrant taste of Spain right into your kitchen. This dinner recipe is easy enough for a weeknight yet impressive enough for entertaining!
These Spanish pork chops are the kind of dinner that feels special from the very first bite. Thick-cut pork chops are stuffed with a flavorful mixture of smoky chorizo, salty cheese, olives, peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, and spices, creating a dish that’s bold, savory, and packed with character.
The filling is inspired by the vibrant flavors of Spain, with rich chorizo Ibérico and nutty Manchego cheese taking center stage. Briny olives, sweet peppers, fresh parsley, and warm spices round everything out, giving each bite plenty of depth and texture.
Despite their impressive appearance, these pork chops are surprisingly straightforward to make. Once stuffed and cooked, the pork stays juicy and tender while the filling melts into a rich, flavorful center. It’s the kind of meal that’s perfect for entertaining but just as rewarding on an ordinary weeknight when you’re craving something a little different.
More Spanish-influenced recipes
Spanish cuisine is filled with fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and Mediterranean and Iberian influences! If you’re inspired to bring a taste of Spain to your kitchen, try these other Spanish-influenced recipes:
What to serve with Spanish pork chops
Spanish pork chops and rice are a natural combo – serve your chops beside some steaming basmati rice for an easy dinner! You could also take inspiration from patatas bravas and make some crispy roasted potatoes with a romesco sauce.
Veggies on the side round out the meal – a side of garlic butter asparagus works perfectly with this dish. Pan seared brussels sprouts are a close contender.
Can I make these ahead? You can stuff the chops the night before and keep them covered in the fridge until you’re ready to cook them, as they are best enjoyed fresh. When you cook them, bake them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 40 minutes rather than pan-frying them. That way, you’ll be hands-free as your guests arrive!
Spanish Pork Chops Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted green olives (chopped)
- ½ cup chopped roasted red peppers
- 2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons minced parsley
- 1 clove garlic (very finely minced)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (divided)
- 4 pork loin chops (at least 1-inch thick)
- 2 ounces thinly sliced chorizo Ibérico
- 2 ounces sliced manchego cheese
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix the olives, roasted red peppers, sundried tomatoes, parsley, garlic, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper.1 cup pitted green olives, ½ cup chopped roasted red peppers, 2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes, 2 tablespoons minced parsley, 1 clove garlic
- Cut a pocket in each pork loin. Cut from the side that has no fat and stop your cut at the fat cap.4 pork loin chops
- Stuff the pork first with the chorizo and manchego. Then divide the filling between the pork chops (they will be very full!) and use toothpicks to secure them so the stuffing doesn't fall out. Sprinkle the smoked paprika, sea salt, and remaining ½ teaspoon of pepper over the chops.2 ounces thinly sliced chorizo Ibérico, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon sea salt, 2 ounces sliced manchego cheese
- Heat the olive oil in a large, non-stick or cast iron frying pan over medium heat. Add the stuffed pork chops to the pan and let them cook for 5 minutes, or until nicely browned on one side. Carefully flip them over and let them cook for another 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the middle of the stuffing registers 145 degrees on an instant-read meat thermometer.2 tablespoons olive oil
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Nutrition
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Delicious! I like the savory flavor added to the pork chops. They were juicy too. I put mine in the oven. A keeper recipe.
So glad these were a hit! Juicy pork chops with that savory flavor coming through is exactly what you want, and the oven sounds like it treated them perfectly. Love that it’s a keeper. 😋
One of the best recipes I’ve made in a long time. Definitely on the short list.
I’m so happy to hear that, Melissa!
I’m not sure of the cheese in my area. Is there a substitute that would work?
Manchego is a fairly mild cheese so (for this recipe) I would substitute it with jack cheese or mozzarella. Both are more melty, but I don’t think that is a bad thing here.
Years ago we discovered the fool-proof way to make tender (never-dry) pork chops – it works beautifully for grilling, baking, or like these, pan-fried. Brine your pork chops in a big pyrex of very salty room temperature water for an hour before you cook them (just covering the meat). If it’s more than an hour, that’s ok, too. I would brine the chops whole and slice them open just before stuffing and cooking them. Brilliant!
Thanks so much for that tip, Rachel!!
Wow, this was such a flavorful dish. Followed the instructions and was rewarded with an incredible dinner. Restaurant quality. We had double cut bone in chops on hand.
After some careful surgery on the chops to remove the ribs and chine , I was concerned if I erred in doing so.
The chops came out moist, fantastic and so delicious. Big flavor, with minimum effort. Thank you for sharing this wonderful dish
I’m so happy to hear that the recipe as a hit!
So I clicked on the whole 30 picture but this isn’t whole 30 because of the cheese, right?
That’s right! It’s why the cheese is optional. Make sure to omit it (as per the recipe directions) if you are eating paleo or Whole30. 🙂
look amazing want to make it where can I buy those olives in toronto canada?thank you diana
Olives from Spain are available in pots, under vacuum or in bulk in grocery stores, as well as in most independent grocery stores. Check the provenance to make sure of the origin of the product!
Hi Kristen,
I love your blog. I want to make this for my cooking club of 12 people and make it the day before. How do you suggest I heat this up so it does not dry out. Also what do you suggest as sides. Thank you. Jill
I wouldn’t suggest cooking and reheating it. I’ve done that for leftovers and it’s good, but it’s better fresh. You could stuff the chops the night before and keep them covered in the fridge. When you cook them, bake them at 350 for about 40 minutes rather than pan frying them. That way you’ll be hands free as your guests arrive!
If doing this, keeping overnight, then baking in the oven, would you also pan sear them or just bake? Going to try this way, so as to give to neighbors for gifts for them to cook at their home., a la meals to go!
I would suggest assembling them then letting your neighbours sear them before dinner. 🙂