Should you cook Pork Chops right out of the fridge?

Here's why:

* Uneven Cooking: Cold pork chops will take longer to cook, leading to uneven cooking and potential undercooked areas.

* Toughness: Cold meat is less likely to absorb moisture during cooking, resulting in tougher, drier pork chops.

* Safer Cooking: Bringing pork chops to room temperature allows for more even heat distribution, ensuring they are cooked to a safe internal temperature (145°F) throughout.

Best Practice: Take your pork chops out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking to allow them to come to room temperature.

Exceptions:

* Pan-Seared: If you're pan-searing pork chops, you can cook them straight from the refrigerator. However, you'll likely need to cook them for a longer period to ensure they are cooked through.

* Frozen: If your pork chops are frozen, you'll need to thaw them completely before cooking.

Remember: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your pork chops are cooked to a safe internal temperature.