When you crave comfort food that’s quick enough for a weeknight but truly special, Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops are the answer. Juicy pork chops, sweet caramelized onions, and a lusciously creamy, tangy sauce—all thanks to a handful of pantry staples and your trusty Instant Pot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbelievably Tender Pork: The Instant Pot works its magic, yielding melt-in-your-mouth pork chops in no time.
- Family-Friendly Comfort: Creamy sour cream sauce and sweet onions turn everyday ingredients into a dish even picky eaters devour.
- Perfect for Busy Nights: Start to finish, Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops are on your table in just 30 minutes with hardly any cleanup.
- Easily Adaptable: Swap a few ingredients to suit your tastes or dietary needs—this recipe truly welcomes your spin!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This is one of those recipes where every ingredient pulls its weight—and you probably already have most on hand! Each item offers more flavor, juiciness, or creamy luxury for your Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops.
- Butter or Coconut Oil: Adds richness and helps onions caramelize for the best base flavor.
- Onions: Sliced into slim wedges, they get sweet and silky in the sauce.
- Boneless Pork Chops (blade cut preferred): A fattier cut means ultra-moist pork that stands up to pressure cooking without drying out.
- Salt & Pepper: Simple seasoning lets the natural pork flavor shine; don’t skimp!
- Beef Stock: Gives the sauce deep umami notes and body—swap with chicken stock if that’s what you have.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Brings subtle tang and depth, making the sauce irresistibly savory.
- Arrowroot, Cornstarch, or Glucomannan: Just a touch of thickener creates a creamy, luscious sauce that clings to every bite.
- Sour Cream: The star ingredient! It makes the sauce tangy, smooth, and utterly craveable.
Variations
The beauty of Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops is how easy it is to make them your own. Don’t be afraid to substitute, tweak, or add flavors that make your taste buds dance!
- Dairy-Free: Use a plant-based sour cream and coconut oil for a completely dairy-free dish that’s still creamy and satisfying.
- Mushroom Lover’s Twist: Add a handful of sliced mushrooms to the onions for a hearty, earthy extension to the sauce.
- Spice It Up: Mix in a pinch of smoked paprika, cayenne, or hot sauce as you prepare the sauce for a gentle kick.
- Low-Carb Version: Go with glucomannan or arrowroot as your thickener and serve over mashed cauliflower for a keto-friendly spin.
How to Make Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops
Step 1: Sauté Onions and Brown the Pork Chops
Set your Instant Pot to the sauté function and melt the butter or coconut oil. Toss in the onions and cook, stirring, until they’re softened and starting to turn golden. Push the onions aside, then lay the pork chops directly in the pot to brown on both sides. Season with salt and pepper as they sizzle—the aroma at this stage is truly irresistible!
Step 2: Deglaze and Add Flavor
Switch off the sauté function before it gets too hot. Pour in the beef stock and Worcestershire sauce, taking care to scrape up any delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom—they add loads of flavor to the finished Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops. Let everything settle into a cozy, savory bath.
Step 3: Pressure Cook to Tender Perfection
Lock the Instant Pot lid in place and set the valve to “sealing.” Choose the Pressure Cook setting for 8 minutes. When the cooking time is up, let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes—this extra rest keeps the pork unbelievably juicy—then manually release whatever pressure remains and open the lid with anticipation!
Step 4: Thicken the Sauce
If you love a thicker sauce, now’s your moment! Remove the pork chops and cover to keep warm. Turn the Instant Pot back to sauté and simmer the cooking liquid for a few minutes. Stir in a slurry of arrowroot (or your thickener of choice) and water, whisking until the sauce is velvety and glossy.
Step 5: Add the Sour Cream and Serve
Switch off the Instant Pot and let the sauce cool for just a minute before gently stirring in the sour cream. This keeps the sauce smooth, rich, and perfectly tangy. Spoon the sauce over the pork chops and onions—you’re ready for your first bite of Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops bliss!
Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops
- Choose the Right Cut: Blade cut pork chops are ideal for this recipe since the marbling ensures the meat stays tender and flavorful during pressure cooking.
- Deglaze Thoroughly: Don’t rush scraping up all those caramelized bits at the bottom after sautéing—they’re flavor gold and keep your Instant Pot error-free.
- Cool Before Adding Sour Cream: To avoid curdling, let your sauce cool for 1-2 minutes before stirring in the sour cream for silky-smooth results.
- Thicken to Taste: Add your thickener slowly—a little goes a long way—so the sauce is exactly as rich and luscious as you like.
How to Serve Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops
Garnishes
Give your pork chops the finishing touch they deserve! Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or dill for a splash of green and a little brightness, or add a twist of freshly ground black pepper for a bold bite at the table.
Side Dishes
Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops are fabulous with buttery mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or egg noodles—something starchy to soak up all that sauce! Roasted broccoli or steamed green beans are a perfect fresh, crisp complement.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing the pork and layering it over bowls of mashed cauliflower for a modern, low-carb twist. Or plate chops individually atop a bed of sautéed spinach for a restaurant-style presentation that shows off the creamy sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer cooled leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors mellow beautifully overnight, making leftovers almost as exciting as first-day Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops!
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked pork chops and onions (without the sour cream sauce) for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw and warm them up, then stir the sour cream into the sauce just before serving for the creamiest results.
Reheating
Warm leftovers gently in a skillet over low heat, stirring often, or use the microwave in short bursts so the sauce stays smooth and the pork moist. If the sauce thickens too much, just add a splash of beef stock or water.
FAQs
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Can I use bone-in pork chops for Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops?
Yes! Bone-in pork chops work wonderfully, though you may want to add 1–2 extra minutes of pressure cooking time and ensure they fit comfortably in your Instant Pot. They add extra richness to the sauce as well.
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What can I substitute for sour cream?
If you’re out of sour cream, try plain Greek yogurt for a similar tangy creaminess—just make sure to use full fat for the best texture. Dairy-free yogurt also works if you’d like to keep things plant-based.
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My sauce is too thin—how can I fix it?
If your sauce is too runny, simply simmer it on sauté with the Instant Pot lid off for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken. You can also add a bit more arrowroot, cornstarch, or your preferred thickener dissolved in cold water and whisk it in.
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Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops are naturally gluten-free as long as you use arrowroot or cornstarch as the thickener and check that your Worcestershire sauce is labeled gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
If you’re after a creamy, savory meal that’s bursting with flavor but easy enough for any night of the week, give Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops a try. I promise, with that luscious sauce and tender pork, there won’t be a single lonely taste bud at your table. Enjoy every bite!
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Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Tender and flavorful Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops recipe that is quick and easy to make in your pressure cooker. The creamy sauce pairs perfectly with the juicy pork chops for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the Pork Chops:
- 1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil
- 2 medium onions, cut into slim wedges
- 4 boneless pork chops, preferably a cut from the blade for more flavor
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot OR organic cornstarch OR 1/4 teaspoon glucomannan
- 1/3 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Brown onions and pork: Set Instant Pot to sauté. Cook onions in butter until softened. Brown the pork chops, seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Add sauce: Turn off Instant Pot. Pour in beef stock and Worcestershire sauce, deglazing the pot.
- Pressure cook: Seal the Instant Pot and choose ‘pressure cook’ for 8 minutes. Allow for a natural pressure release for 5 minutes before manually releasing the rest of the pressure.
- Thicken: If desired, remove the pork chops and keep warm. Thicken the sauce in the Instant Pot by simmering and adding a slurry of arrowroot or preferred thickener.
- Add cream: After cooling slightly, stir in the sour cream. Serve the creamy sauce over the pork chops.
Notes
- Ensure the pork chops are well-seared for optimal flavor.
- Adjust seasoning according to personal preference.
- For a richer sauce, you can add more sour cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pork chop with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
