Chuletas de Cerdo en Salsa Ranchera con Arroz (Pork Chops in Ranchera Sauce)
Seared pork chops finished in a warm, chunky tomato and jalapeño salsa, with fluffy red rice on the side.
Made with Salsa ranchera and Mexican red rice (arroz rojo). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.76 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Take the chops out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking. Pat dry and season well with salt.
20 min - 2
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Sear the chops for 4 minutes per side until deep golden. Lift onto a plate.
8 min - 3
Add the onion to the pan and cook for 4 minutes, scraping up the browned bits.
4 min - 4
Stir in your ready made salsa ranchera (see the base recipe) and bring to a simmer. Return the chops to the pan with their juices.
- 5
Cover and simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes until the pork reaches 70C in the centre and the juices run clear.
9 min - 6
Meanwhile, warm your ready made arroz rojo (see the base recipe) in a covered pan with 3 tbsp water until steaming hot all the way through. Reheat chilled rice only once. Serve the chops and salsa over the rice with coriander and lime.
6 min
Tips
- Salt the chops generously and sear in a really hot pan for a good crust.
- Do not overcook. Loin chops dry out quickly, so check the temperature early.
- The sauce is the same one used on huevos rancheros, so any extra makes a fine breakfast.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 hour and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat gently until steaming hot all the way through, and the rice only once.
Questions
Can I use boneless chops?
Yes. Cook them for 3 minutes per side and then 5 to 6 minutes in the salsa, until the centre reaches 70C.
Is it spicy?
Mildly, from the jalapeños in the salsa. Add a few extra slices of fresh jalapeño for more heat.
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Yes. Brown them for 5 minutes per side, then simmer in the salsa for 20 minutes until cooked through.
More made with salsa ranchera
Camarones Rancheros (Prawns in Ranchera Sauce)
GFDFEFAlbondigón Relleno de Huevo con Salsa Ranchera (Mexican Meatloaf Stuffed with Egg)
DFNFHPQuesadillas de Champiñones (Mushroom Quesadillas with Ranchera Sauce)
GFEFNFFrijoles Rancheros con Tocino (Ranch Style Beans with Bacon)
DFEFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.