Zesty Ranch Pork Chops

All the beauty of a home-cooked meal with all of the convenience of fast food, this meal is ready in 20 minutes or less. Throw the meat on a baking sheet in the oven, toss a bag of salad, and unwind for a minute; Zesty Ranch Pork Chops will be ready before you know it.

Probably one of the fastest freezer marinades you will ever make, this simple pork chop recipe is easy to make and easy to eat. Your kids will love the classic ranch taste, and the addition of lemon juice elevates the dish for grown-ups. The meat marinates as it freezes and as it thaws, so by the time you throw it in the oven, it’s full of flavor.

This is just one of many recipes found in our Freezer Meals 101 Club, where you get instant access to every recipe and video content to help you along the way. We’ve got more marinades and meals of all kinds for you to try, so if you need more convincing, be sure to check out our Chicken Tagine or maybe the One Pot Creamy Sausage Gnocchi, which is a family favorite around here.

Zesty Ranch Pork Chops Recipe

Ingredients

• 6 pork chops boneless about 1-inch thick
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. dry ranch seasoning
• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice

How to Make Zesty Ranch Pork Chops

Assembly Instructions

1. Place pork chops in freezer bag.
2. Add the other ingredients.
3. Squish to combine.
4. Remove excess air, seal, and freeze.

Cooking Instructions

1. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
2. Place pork chops on a lined baking sheet.
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 400°F.
4. Pork chops are cooked when the centre reaches 145°F, as measured with a meat thermometer.

My grocery store doesn’t have one-inch thick pork chops.

It’s strange how the grocery stores cycle through the types of pork chops they have in store. I find it very frustrating. If you can only find the thin pork chops this week, you can still make the recipe. Just mark the bag so you remember, and adjust the baking time so that the meat isn’t overcooked. I do not recommend freezing bone-in pork chops as they tend to make holes in the freezer bag.

Can I use liquid ranch dressing?

Yes. You can use liquid ranch dressing in your freezer meal bag instead of the seasoning. You can also try different kinds of dressing you enjoy for variety.

Zesty Ranch Pork Chops Recipe Ideas

The ranch seasoning is fantastic when tossed with diced potatoes, if you have the time. Dice the potatoes, toss them in olive oil and ranch seasoning, and bake them on a sheet tray for 20 to 30 minutes.

You can use boneless chicken instead. You may need to increase the baking time. Use an instant-read thermometer and cook chicken to 160ºF before pulling it from the oven.

Instead of putting the pork in the marinade whole, you can dice it into cubes. It will bake even faster, or in that form, it could be easily stir-fried.

Buy ranch seasoning in bulk at a warehouse store for the best price. You can also make your own!

We have several different pork recipes. If you see a great deal on pork chops, stock up and make up a variety of recipes to have on hand. It’s a great way to spend your Saturday so that Monday through Friday are easier! Freezer meal cooking with a friend is especially fun.

One of the fun things about ranch is that it combines well with other flavors. If you want a little heat, add cayenne pepper. For a fresher flavor, add fresh dill or rosemary to the bag. Give it a garlic kick with freshly minced garlic cloves. Or try a combination of all three options!

How do I store Zesty Ranch Pork Chops

Always keep leftover meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator if you plan to enjoy it later. To make it easier to reheat, you can slice it or cut it into cubes before refrigerating. Use a skillet to reheat the meat, or go really easy in the microwave because it will get rubbery fast. Use the leftovers in a salad or sandwich if you want to change things up.

What to Serve with Zesty Ranch Pork Chops

Corn and salad make for nice sides, but since this is a pretty straightforward meat, you can add almost any side dish your heart desires. Mac-n-cheese would be delicious with this, as would garlic mashed potatoes and country milk gravy. If you want to keep things simple, steam some veggies in the microwave or throw some tater tots in the oven.