Chuletas de Cerdo Rancheras (Ranch Style Pork Chops)
Pan-seared pork chops finished in a chunky, gently spicy tomato sauce with sharp pink pickled onions on top.
Made with Salsa ranchera and Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.41 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
Pat the chops dry. Rub with the cumin, garlic granules and 1 tsp salt.
- 2
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium high heat. Sear the chops for 3 minutes on each side until deep golden. Lift out onto a plate.
6 min - 3
Pour your ready made salsa ranchera (see the base recipe) and the water into the pan. Scrape up the browned bits and bring to a simmer.
- 4
Return the chops and any juices to the pan. Cover and cook gently for 8 to 10 minutes, until the chops are cooked through with no pink and the juices run clear.
9 min - 5
Rest the chops in the sauce for 3 minutes. Top with your ready made pickled red onions (see the base recipe) and the coriander. Serve with rice or tortillas.
Tips
- Thicker chops stay juicier. Do not move them for the first 2 minutes so they get a good crust.
- Pork is safe at 63C in the middle after resting, or when the juices run clear.
- Bone in chops are more forgiving than lean boneless ones.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours. Keep in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat gently until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use pork steaks instead?
Yes. Shoulder steaks are cheaper and take about 15 minutes of simmering to turn tender.
What should I serve with these?
Warm corn tortillas, Mexican rice or boiled potatoes all soak up the sauce well.
More made with salsa ranchera
Chiles Poblanos Rellenos de Frijol (Baked Bean-Stuffed Poblanos)
GFEFNFChiles Poblanos Rellenos de Pollo y Camarón (Stuffed Poblano Peppers with Chicken and Prawns)
GFEFNFCalabacitas Rellenas de Arroz Verde y Queso (Stuffed Courgettes)
GFEFNFAlbóndigas Rancheras (Meatballs in Ranchera Sauce)
GFNFDouble 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.