Unlock the secret to an effortless and flavorful weeknight meal with these simple, one-pan Taco Pork Chops! Perfectly tender boneless pork chops simmered in a richly spiced tomato sauce, guaranteed to add the perfect pizzazz to your Taco Tuesday—or any day of the week!
I’ve been absolutely bursting with excitement to share this incredible Taco Pork Chops recipe with you, and today is finally the day! This dish wasn’t just a hit; it was an instant family sensation, even winning over the skeptics who typically approach pork chops with lukewarm enthusiasm. While the name suggests “taco,” the deeply flavorful sauce often reminds me of a classic red enchilada sauce—rich, savory, and wonderfully aromatic. It’s the kind of dish that warms the soul and satisfies everyone at the table.
SOME OF THE ITEMS BELOW CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS; I AM A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR US TO EARN FEES BY LINKING TO AMAZON.COM AND AFFILIATED SITES. I AM ALSO AN AFFILIATE FOR OTHER BRANDS. HOWEVER, I ONLY PROMOTE THINGS THAT I LOVE AND THINK YOU WILL LOVE, TOO. FOR MY ENTIRE DISCLOSURE POLICY PLEASE CLICK HERE.
This delightful recipe hails from my friend Shelby’s inspiring new cookbook, The One-Pot Paleo Cookbook. Shelby has crafted a truly remarkable collection, featuring over 100 recipes designed for ultimate simplicity—all cooked in a single pot, whether it’s a skillet, sheet pan, or slow cooker. This approach epitomizes easy cooking, requiring minimal ingredients and, perhaps most appealingly, ensuring a breeze of a cleanup. Who doesn’t cherish the thought of delicious food without a mountain of dishes afterward? I’ve already bookmarked at least ten pages of recipes I’m eager to try, a testament to the cookbook’s diverse and appealing selections.
The Charm of One-Pot Cooking and Exploring Paleo Principles
One-pot cooking isn’t just a trend; it’s a lifestyle solution, especially for busy individuals and families. The magic lies in its ability to condense meal preparation, cooking, and cleanup into the most streamlined process possible. Imagine creating a wholesome, flavor-packed dinner without juggling multiple pans and pots. This method encourages creativity with ingredients, often resulting in dishes where flavors meld beautifully, creating a depth that’s hard to achieve otherwise. From hearty stews to vibrant stir-fries, one-pot meals consistently deliver on convenience and taste, making them a staple in many kitchens.
On a personal note, while I haven’t strictly adopted the Paleo or Keto lifestyles myself, I understand their widespread appeal and receive frequent requests for such recipes from my readers. As a food blogger, it’s incredibly valuable to be able to recommend reliable resources, like Shelby’s cookbook, knowing they offer tried-and-true recipes that cater to specific dietary preferences. Shelby, the talented author behind The One-Pot Paleo Cookbook, also shares her culinary passion on her two engaging food blogs, Grumpy’s Honeybunch and Honeybunch Hunts, which are fantastic resources for more culinary inspiration.
Understanding the Paleo Lifestyle: Eating Like Our Ancestors
The Paleo diet, often referred to as the “Caveman Diet” or “Stone Age Diet,” is built on the principle of eating foods that were available to our human ancestors during the Paleolithic era—a time spanning roughly 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. The philosophy is simple: if a caveman couldn’t hunt or gather it, you shouldn’t eat it. This translates to a focus on lean meats, fresh fish, a bounty of vegetables, vibrant fruits, nourishing seeds, and wholesome nuts. The idea is to consume a diet free from processed foods, artificial ingredients, and modern agricultural products, mirroring the diet our bodies are believed to be evolutionarily adapted for.
Consequently, the Paleo lifestyle typically excludes grains, legumes (with green beans often being a notable exception due to their pod structure), and most dairy products. However, there are exceptions even within these categories; for instance, ghee, a clarified butter, is often accepted because the milk solids (which contain lactose and casein) have been removed, making it more digestible for those sensitive to dairy. Adherents to the Paleo diet often report benefits such as improved energy levels, better weight management, reduced inflammation, and enhanced overall well-being, attributing these to a cleaner, more natural intake. Shelby’s cookbook does an exceptional job of explaining the core tenets of the Paleo diet, its potential health benefits, and how to successfully embrace this ancestral way of eating, harking back to a time when all food was inherently organic and free from artificial additives.
Why Taco Pork Chops Became Our New Favorite
Among the hundred-plus enticing recipes in Shelby’s cookbook, why did these Taco Pork Chops capture my attention first? The answer is simple: “taco.” My adoration for all things taco-flavored is well-documented, and I absolutely delight in transforming our traditional Taco Tuesdays from the usual ground-beef, crunchy, Taco-Bell-style routine into something fresh and exciting. These pork chops offer a fantastic departure from the norm, bringing a bold, zesty flavor profile to the table.
Other Fun Taco Tuesday Recipes to Explore:
- Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes
- Mom’s Taco Casserole
- Taco Stew
- Baked Shredded Beef Tacos
- Taco Tot Casserole
- Taco Meatloaf
Another compelling reason for selecting this particular recipe to share with you relates to the unprecedented times we’ve experienced, where staying at home and minimizing grocery trips became paramount. When I received an early copy of Shelby’s book, I eagerly flipped through its pages. While many recipes, like Chopped Veggie Salad Bowl, Easy Cod Curry, Sheet Pan Pork Fajitas, and Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry, sounded delicious, I often found myself missing a crucial ingredient. However, when I stumbled upon the Taco Pork Chops, I literally did a happy dance! Not only did the “taco” appeal instantly, but more importantly, I had every single ingredient I needed right at my fingertips, in my freezer, fridge, and pantry. This recipe truly embodies convenience and resourcefulness, making it perfect for those moments when you need a fantastic meal using everyday staples.
Essential Ingredients for Your One-Pan Taco Pork Chops
One of the most appealing aspects of these Taco Pork Chops is their straightforward ingredient list. You won’t find any obscure packet mixes or specialty items that require a separate trip to the store. This recipe champions pantry staples, ensuring that a delicious, flavorful meal is always within reach. To create this savory dish, you’ll primarily need boneless pork chops—I recommend thin-cut for quicker cooking, though thicker cuts work wonderfully with a slight adjustment to simmer time. The heart of the sauce is a can of tomato sauce, complemented by water, sliced onion, and a robust blend of common spices: chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. A touch of olive oil is used for browning the pork chops, and if you have some fresh cilantro on hand, a sprinkle over the top before serving adds a burst of vibrant flavor and color. It’s an optional but highly recommended finish!
Begin your culinary journey by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat with a generous splash of olive oil. Once shimmering, carefully place your boneless pork chops in a single layer to ensure even browning. Allow them to develop a beautiful golden crust on both sides, which typically takes about 5 minutes per side. This crucial step not only adds depth of flavor but also locks in the juices, ensuring tender results.
While your pork chops are browning to perfection, take a moment to prepare the aromatic sauce. In a separate bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce and water until smooth. Then, gather your carefully measured spices—chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper—and thinly slice your onion. The efficiency of this simultaneous preparation makes the entire cooking process incredibly smooth.
Once combined, whisk the prepared spices into the tomato sauce mixture, ensuring they are thoroughly incorporated. Then, stir in the sliced onion. The vibrant colors and fragrant spices already hint at the deliciousness to come, promising a rich and complex flavor base for your pork chops.
After your pork chops have achieved that beautiful golden-brown sear, it’s time for them to bathe in flavor. Pour the aromatic onion and tomato sauce mixture generously over the browned chops in the skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, and let the magic happen. In what feels like no time at all, the pork chops will transform, becoming incredibly tender and infused with the rich, zesty “taco” seasoning. The onions will soften to a sweet, delicate texture, complementing the pork perfectly. You’ll be slicing into a perfectly spiced, fork-tender pork chop that is simply irresistible.
Love This Recipe? Pin It for Later!
Don’t let this fantastic one-pan meal slip away! Make sure to save this recipe for future meal planning. Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board before you go so you can easily find it whenever a craving for delicious, easy Taco Pork Chops strikes!
My Adaptations for These Taco Pork Chops: Customizing for Perfection
While Shelby’s original recipe provides a fantastic foundation, I made a couple of minor adjustments to suit my family’s preferences and the ingredients I had on hand. Firstly, the boneless pork chops I had were significantly thicker than those specified in the original recipe. To achieve that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that allows you to cut the pork with just a fork, I extended the simmering time considerably. Slow and steady cooking ensures that thicker cuts become incredibly succulent.
Secondly, because I was cooking for a larger family and had eight pork chops instead of the original’s six, I increased the amount of water in the sauce to ensure there was ample liquid for simmering and to achieve a generous amount of sauce. This naturally made the sauce a bit thinner than intended. To reach my desired consistency, I opted to thicken it with a small amount of cornstarch mixed with water. It’s important to note for those following a strict Paleo diet that cornstarch is not Paleo-compliant. If you wish to incorporate my sauce-thickening modification while adhering to Paleo principles, I recommend using Arrowroot Powder as a direct substitute for cornstarch—it works beautifully and keeps the dish Paleo-friendly. I simmered my chops, covered, in the rich sauce for approximately 40 minutes, which resulted in exceptionally tender pork and delightfully soft, sweet onions.
Given that my family isn’t strictly following a Paleo diet, I served our Taco Pork Chops with sweet corn and a side of my beloved Cilantro Lime Rice. The combination was utterly amazing, creating a well-rounded and deeply satisfying meal that quickly earned a spot in our regular rotation.
Understanding the Original: How My Recipe Differs from Shelby’s Paleo Version
It’s crucial to highlight the distinctions between my adapted recipe and Shelby’s original creation in “The One-Pot Paleo Cookbook.” Shelby’s recipe specifically calls for thinner pork chops and typically fewer servings. This allows her version to cook much faster, often being ready from start to finish in just 20 minutes—a true testament to the speed and efficiency of one-pot Paleo cooking. Her original serving suggestions are also entirely Paleo-friendly, often pairing the flavorful pork chops with homemade guacamole made from fresh avocado and a vibrant, Paleo-approved salsa. Therefore, if you are strictly adhering to a Paleo diet and wish to experience the recipe exactly as intended by the author, I strongly encourage you to refer directly to her meticulously crafted instructions in The One-Pot Paleo Cookbook for a truly authentic Paleo experience.
Discover “The One-Pot Paleo Cookbook” and Enter to Win!
Excited to explore more effortless and delicious one-pot meals? “The One-Pot Paleo Cookbook” officially launched on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, and it’s an invaluable resource for anyone looking to simplify their cooking while embracing healthier eating. You can easily purchase your copy on Amazon and start your journey to easier, healthier meals right away. But wait, there’s more! To celebrate this fantastic cookbook, I’m thrilled to be giving away a copy right here! Keep an eye out for posts about these delightful Taco Pork Chops on my Facebook and Instagram pages, and follow the instructions there to enter for your chance to win this culinary gem.
Here is the recipe for my slightly adapted version of these incredibly flavorful Taco Pork Chops. I genuinely hope you and your family will adore them as much as we do! Happy cooking! 
LIKE THIS RECIPE?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and
leave a comment below the recipe!
Print Recipe
Taco Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 8 boneless pork chops
- 1 8 ounce can Tomato Sauce
- 2 cups of water divided
- 1 small onion sliced
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch optional
- fresh cilantro sprinkled over the top before serving, if desired
Instructions
- In a large skillet, over medium-high, heat olive oil, and place pork chops in a single layer. Brown well on each side. (about 5 minutes for each side)
- Whisk together 1 3/4 cup of water, tomato sauce, and dried spices. Add in the sliced onion.
- Pour tomato/onion sauce over browned pork chops. Cover with a lid and reduce heat to simmer.
- Simmer covered for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pork chops are tender.
- If the sauce isn’t desired thickness, mix 1/4 cup of water with 2 Tablespoons of corn starch and add to the sauce to thicken, if necessary.
- Sprinkle with fresh cilantro before serving, if desired.