Instant Pot Pork Chops in Creamy Mushroom Sauce are fork tender pork chops cooked up in no time in the Instant Pot pressure cooker ~ let’s just call it instant comfort food gratification!
Instant Pot pork chops with creamy mushroom sauce is quick comfort food with a gourmet twist
This Instant Pot pork chop recipe combines pressure cooking with a quick creamy pan sauce, which you can make while the chops are cooking. You get the ease and speed of pressure cooking, but the creamy pan sauce gives it a gourmet flourish.
What you’ll need:
- center cut pork loin chops, bone in ~ thicker bone-in chops work best in the Instant Pot
- olive oil
- butter
- shallot
- chicken broth
- Marsala wine
- fresh thyme
- mushrooms
- grainy Dijon mustard
- cream
- salt, pepper
Slow cooked versus pressure cooked pork chops ~ how they stack up
If you’re used to wooden pork chops (I grew up on them) then you’re going to be pleasantly surprised by what the Instant Pot can do for this cut of meat. Up until now my favorite cooking method for chops has been the slow cooker ~ my Slow Cooked Barbecue Peach Smothered Pork Chops always turn out incredibly tender. The slow cooker really does do an amazing job, but the only problem is, it takes all day doing it!
How does Instant Pot pressure cooking work?
I was interested so I did a little digging and this is what I learned…normal water boils at 212F, but because a pressure cooker is sealed, it’s able to get the boiling liquid to a much higher temperature, and that higher temperature means the food can cook much more quickly. For every five degrees higher the liquid temperature gets, the cooking time is cut in half. On high the pressure cooker cooks food 16 times faster than normal. Wow. And all that pressurized steam also gets forced into the food too, which is why it comes out so moist and tender.
This first step is critical for fabulous pork chops
The first step is almost always the same when you’re dealing with meat, whether you’re pan frying, stewing, or pressure cooking ~ you want to brown the meat over high heat to develop that flavor enhancing caramelization. Luckily the Instant Pot does a great job browning meat: press the sautés button and set to the highest setting. Wait for it to get hot (it will read HOT on the screen) and then brown your chops on both sides.
The golden color = delicious.
Why make the sauce separately?
Once you load the browned chops into the Instant Pot and close the ‘cockpit door’ you’re set. I start the cream sauce on the stove while the IP does its thing.
Why do I do this? It’s simple ~ the intense heat of the Instant Pot is too powerful for a delicate cream sauce. It takes just minutes on the stove, and comes together while the chops are cooking. The sauce is restaurant quality and makes this dish truly special.
more comforting Instant Pot dinner recipes from my collection
- How to Cook Short Ribs in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Wild Mushroom Risotto
- Instant Pot Cheddar Risotto with Fresh Sage
- Apple Butter Pulled Pork ~ Instant Pot, oven, or slow cooker!
- Instant Pot Barbacoa Recipe
- Instant Pot Irish Stew
Reader Rave ~
“I just tried this recipe last night. BEST. CHOPS. EVER! They were so tender that they almost flaked apart like fish does. Definitely did not need a knife to cut them. They were so full of flavor and very moist. This is the only way I want to eat pork chops from now on.” ~ Lori
Instant Pot Pork Chops in Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Equipment
- Instant Pot Pressure Cooker buy it here
Ingredients
- 2 lbs center cut pork loin chops, bone in or out (about 4 large) at least 1" thick.
- salt and fresh cracked black pepper
- olive oil
- 1 large shallot, minced
- 1/2 cup Marsala wine
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- a bundle of fresh thyme
gravy
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 3/4 lb button mushrooms, trimmed and sliced (or use a pint package of pre-sliced mushrooms)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3-4 Tbsp grainy Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup of the reduced broth from the pressure cooker, instructions below.
Instructions
- Season the pork chops on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Put a tablespoon of oil into the Instant Pot and press Sauté. When it gets nice and hot, brown the chops for several minutes on each side to get a nice caramelization going. Work in batches so you don’t crowd the pan. Remove and set aside.
- Add another tablespoon of oil to the pot and add the shallots, stir for a minute or two to soften. Add the Marsala and let it bubble while you scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Press Off. Stir in the chicken broth, then layer the chops back into the pot. Add the bundle of fresh thyme. Close the lid, set the vent to Seal. Press pressure cook and set the timer for 8 minutes.
- In the meantime cook the mushrooms in the butter and olive oil in a large skillet until they release their moisture and start to brown. Add the heavy cream, mustard, and the thyme leaves.
- When the machine beeps, press Keep Warm. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then press Off.
- Release the vent and wait for the pressure to come down. Then open the lid and remove the chops to a plate. Strain the liquid into a saucepan and bring to a rapid boil. Boil the liquid until is is reduced by 2/3. Add about 1/2 cup of the reduced sauce to the skillet and bring the sauce up to a gentle simmer. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Nestle the pork chops down into the sauce in the skillet. Spoon some of the sauce and mushrooms over the meat, and heat everything through.
- Serve sprinkled with a little fresh thyme.
Notes
- If your pork chops are boneless, you can cook them for 8 minutes.
- Feel free to double the sauce if you’d like more.
- Make them lower calorie and lower fat by omitting the cream and using the reduced cooking liquid as the base for your sauce.
Nutrition
*This post was originally publishes in 2018, I’ve updated the recipe and notes.
I made these last night to rave reviews by all. Thank you.
Yay!
I so tempted to get an IP! These chops might just tip the scale…. what model do you have? Thank you.
I have the Duo Plus 6 qt, it’s a great size, not too big and not too small.
This recipe is a favorite of ours, so delicious! Thanks Sue for the IP info too…. I have 2 IP’s now! I keep 1 in FL & 1 “up north”. Love your blog, great recipes, ideas & photography!
Thanks Mary!
I don’t eat pork often, but mymymy.. that sauce looks amazing!
I am so excited! I have an Instant Pot, and I love your recipes and collections. My husband is not a pork chop fan, but I may be able to make him into one with this recipe. Thank you!
What would you recommend to sub for marsala and shallots? And, how might I adjust this for tenderloin?
You can use any white wine, or sherry, Dawn, for the Marsala, and onions can sub for the shallots. If you’re looking for no alcohol then just use more of the cooking broth. I don’t think you’d need to cook the tenderloin in the Instant Pot, so I would brown it on the stove and then cook it in a 400F oven for about 20 minutes, or until it reads about 145F in the middle.
You could then slice it and arrange it in the sauce like I did with the chops.
I don’t think pork chops have ever looked this delicious! I’m putting chops on my grocery list for sure!
Pork chops have been off my radar for the longest time, I’m glad they’re back!
Wow! They look fabulous. I haven’t tried pork chops in the instant pot yet, but I will now 🙂
Seriously Jennifer, I only cook them in the slow cooker or IP now, they come out so much better than any other way I’ve ever made them.
This looks amazing going to give it a try this week!
Hi Sue, have you used arrowroot to thicken a sauce instead of the cream? (The cream sounds delicious, yes- BUT) . I’m on Weight Watchers freestyle plan and trying to think how to adjust this wonderful recipe. Id also have to sub chicken broth for the wine. Love your recipes. Thanks and your photos are always beautiful.
I think this sauce would be great without cream, Maria, kind of like a Marsala sauce. You could use flour, cornstarch, or arrowroot to thicken, or just reduce it down in the pan.
You could also soak cashews overnight, drain, rinse, and blend with some of the broth to make a cream sauce.
Thanks April, I wouldn’t have thought of that.
One of these days I’m going to have to try using my instant pot – and this recipe sounds like the first one I should try! I love a mushroom pan sauce – yum!
Tricia I’m going to come over to your house and personally give you a lesson, you’re gonna love it 😉