How Many Ounces is One Pork Chop? A Detailed Serving Size Guide

Pork chops are a delicious and versatile meat that can be prepared in endless ways. From pan frying to grilling and everything in between pork chops make for a hearty protein packed meal. But when planning your dinner an important question comes up – just how many ounces is a single pork chop?

The answer can vary quite a bit depending on the cut, thickness bone-in vs boneless, and even how it was prepared. In this comprehensive guide we’ll break down the typical serving sizes for different types of pork chops so you know exactly how much to buy and cook.

Typical Pork Chop Sizes

While they come in a range of sizes, most pork chops fall into a few general categories:

• Thin or thin-cut pork chops – Boneless, around 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, 3 to 5 ounces each
• Standard or center-cut chops – Bone-in or boneless, around 3/4 to 1 inch thick, 6 to 8 ounces each
• Thick-cut or bone-in chops – Bone-in with a T-bone, 1 to 1 1/4 inches thick, 8 to 12 ounces each
• Double-cut pork chops – Extra thick bone-in chops, 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick, 12 to 16 ounces each

As you can see, a single pork chop can be as small as 3 ounces for a thin cutlet, up to 1 pound or more for a double-cut chop. The most common sizes tend to range from 6 to 12 ounces.

Below we’ll explore the factors that determine how many ounces you get in a pork chop.

Bone-In vs Boneless Chops

One of the biggest factors affecting pork chop weights is whether it’s bone-in or boneless.

A bone-in chop will weigh more per piece since part of the stated weight comes from the actual bone. The bone also adds thickness, resulting in larger and meatier chops overall.

Boneless pork chops contain just the meat without the bone. More of the total weight comes from edible meat since there’s no bone. This leads to thinner, lighter chops.

As a general guide:

• A 7 ounce bone-in chop provides about 4 ounces of boneless meat
• An 8 ounce bone-in chop yields around 5 ounces of boneless meat

So when substituting bone-in for boneless, reduce the bone-in weight by 2-3 ounces to account for the bone.

Chop Thickness

The thickness of the pork chop greatly impacts its total weight and ounces per serving. Thicker chops equal more ounces of pork per serving.

Some common thickness sizes are:

• Thin: 1/4 to 1/2 inch
• Standard: 3/4 to 1 inch
• Thick: 1 to 1 1/4 inches
• Double thick: 1 1/2 inches or more

Thinner chops weigh less than thick chops, with around a 2-3 ounce difference per 1/2 inch of thickness. A 1/2 inch thin chop may be 4 ounces while a 1 1/4 inch thick chop could be 10 ounces or more.

Consider desired serving size and cooking method when choosing thickness. Go for thin chops for sauteing or breading. Pick 1 inch or thicker for grilling or roasting.

Different Cuts of Pork

The specific cut used for chops also affects size and thickness options. Common cuts are:

• Loin – Lean and tender with minimal fat
• Rib – Juicy and flavorful with generous fat marbling
• Sirloin – Lean like loin, but slightly tougher
• Shoulder/Blade – Highly marbled with fat, smaller chops

Chops from the loin or sirloin allow thicker cuts since these areas have larger muscles. Rib and shoulder chops tend to be smaller at the same thickness due to higher fat content.

Weight Ranges for Common Sizes

Now that you understand the major factors impacting pork chop weights, here’s a summary of typical ounces per chop for popular sizes:

• Thin boneless: 3 to 4 ounces
• Standard boneless: 4 to 6 ounces
• Thick boneless: 6 to 8 ounces
• Thin bone-in: 5 to 7 ounces
• Standard bone-in: 7 to 9 ounces
• Thick bone-in: 8 to 12 ounces
• Double bone-in: 12 to 16 ounces

These ranges account for differences in cut, thickness, and bone-in vs boneless. Use them as a guide when shopping for and portioning pork chops.

Picking the Right Size Pork Chops

The best pork chop size depends on factors like:

• Number of people eating
• Appetites of who is eating
• Side dishes being served
• Preferred thickness for cooking method
• Cut of pork you like
• Bone-in for more flavor or boneless for ease

For a main dish, plan for one 8+ ounce standard or thick chop per average adult. Go smaller if pairing chops with multiple sides. Allow two thinner chops for heartier appetites.

For quick cooking methods like sauteing, choose thin 3-5 ounce boneless chops. Grilled or roasted bone-in chops should be at least 3/4 inch thick and 6+ ounces.

Use your knowledge of typical sizes to pick the ideal chops for your recipe or dinner needs.

Cooking Pork Chops Perfectly

Once you’ve selected the right pork chops, proper cooking is key for juicy, flavorful results:

• Season chops before cooking to boost flavor – herbs, spices, salt, and pepper all pair great.
• Don’t overcook – cook to 145°F for safety and tenderness.
• Sear first on both sides to seal in juices whether pan frying, grilling, or roasting.
• Let rest at least 5 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

Properly cooked pork of any size should be slightly pink inside and juicy throughout. Use an instant read thermometer and don’t overcook.

When making a delicious pork chop dinner, choose the ideal size chops for your needs. Keep these general guidelines in mind:

• 8 ounces is typical for a single bone-in chop
• 5-6 ounces for a boneless chop
• Thickness ranges from thin 1/4″ up to double-cut 2″
• Thicker chops work best for grilling or roasting
• Allow one standard chop per average adult
• Cook to 145°F plus rest time

Knowing common pork chop sizes and factors like thickness, bone-in vs boneless, and cut will help you pick the perfect pork. Follow proper cooking methods for tender, mouthwatering results. Then enjoy a satisfying meal featuring expertly prepared pork chops.