Father's Day Treat: Pop Chops in a Pan

Most fathers love to barbecue burgers, chops, ribs and steaks. In many homes, Dad may be the self-proclaimed master of the grill or herald of the hibachi. However, on Father's Day, why not give Pop the day off and cook up a meat-lover's feast fit for a king?


Try this traditional family pork chop recipe for Father's Day, and watch Dad go wild.

The same favorite breaded pork chop recipe may also be adapted for use with baby back ribs or with chicken breasts, drumsticks or wings for a yummy summer picnic, appetizer treat or Dad's Day gathering.


Father's Day Pop Chops in a Pan

First, gather these essential ingredients for your Father's Day pork chop feast. Call the kids to help prepare this delicious dish!


4 large pork chops (bone-in or boneless)

1 12-ounce can of root beer (Dad's is appropriate!)

1 cup ketchup

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon light brown sugar

½ teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon plain flour (unsifted)

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper (to taste)


Combine the root beer, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder and brown sugar in a medium bowl.

In a large zippered plastic bag, mix the flour with a few shakes of salt and pepper. Place the pork chops in the bag, one at a time. Seal the plastic bag, and shake it to coat each pork chop completely with flour.

Pour the olive oil in a large pan (such as a Dutch oven or deep-sided frying pan) over medium heat. Add the flour-coated pork chops, and brown them completely.

Gently add the root beer mixture. Bring the entire contents to a boil, stirring frequently to keep pork chops moistened, before reducing the heat. Cover the pan, and simmer for 15 minutes until the pork chops are fully cooked with no pinkness remaining.

Lift out pork chops, and place them on a platter. Cover these with aluminum foil to keep them hot for serving.

Turn up the heat again, and boil the sauce till it thickens. Pour the sweet sauce into a small pitcher or a ladled bowl for adding over pork chops.

Serve Pop Chops in a Pan with rice or mashed potatoes for a delicious and hearty Father's Day feast.

This recipe for Pop Chops in a Pan serves a family of four, but it may be doubled, tripled, quadrupled or more for a larger Father's Day dinner crowd. A big soup kettle of pasta pot may be used for larger recipes.