Are you craving a delicious and easy-to-make dish that perfectly combines sweet and savory flavors? Look no further!
This brown sugar pork chops recipe offers a mouthwatering experience that will delight and impress your dinner guests.
Armed with a handful of ingredients likely already in your kitchen, you can create a complex and flavorful dish that everyone will love, from the perfectly seared chops to the sweet and spicy glaze.
So, get ready to navigate these easy-to-follow steps, and in under half an hour you can create the best glazed pork chops. A flavorful meal that's sure to become a family favorite.
Table of Contents
Recipe Video
Why This Recipe Works
This brown sugar glazed pork chops recipe is quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions when you want to impress your guests with minimal effort.
Additionally, these quick brown sugar pork chops are so versatile you can serve them with just about anything. From a side salad to macaroni and cheese, you can turn these pork chops into the perfect meal...whatever that may look like.
Finally, the combination of brown sugar, soy sauce, and red chili flakes creates a rich and flavorful glaze that perfectly complements the tender and juicy pork chops. So not only are they versatile and easy to make, but they are also complex and delicious.
Ingredients
Pork Chops:
When choosing pork chops for your homemade brown sugar pork chops, pot for a bone-in variety for the best flavor and juiciness. This doesn't mean that you can't create a delicious dish using boneless pork chops because you absolutely can! However, you may need to adjust the cooking time. Boneless chops take less time to cook, so you will want to reduce the cooking time, taking care not to overcook them.
Brown Sugar:
Brown sugar is used in this quick and easy pork chop recipe to add sweetness and to help create a caramelized glaze. If you don't have any, you can use honey or maple syrup in its place or make your own brown sugar by combining 1 cup of white sugar and 1 tablespoon of molasses.
Soy Sauce:
Soy sauce is used to add the flavor of umami to your sauteed brown sugar pork chops.
Red Chili Flakes:
To kick things up a notch in these easy brown sugar pork chops, red chili flakes are used. Cayenne, paprika, and chili powder can also be used to add extra heat to the dish.
Salt and Pepper:
Pork is a very flavorful meat, but it does need the help of salt and pepper to release those flavors and tenderize the meat.
Vegetable Oil:
Vegetable oil adds a crispy sear to the pork chops that locks the juices in. Olive, avocado, grapeseed, canola, sunflower, and peanut oils can also be used in its place.
Butter:
Butter acts as the base for the brown sugar glaze, which adds a creamy texture and a nutty flavor to the dish. Alternatively, you can use margarine, ghee, or olive oil as substitutes for butter to achieve similar results in the recipe.
Fresh Chopped Herbs:
For a pop of color and some added freshness to the plate, top your homemade brown sugar pork chops with some fresh chopped herbs. Cilantro, parsley, dill, rosemary, and thyme are all excellent options that will complement the flavors in your chops.
How to Make Brown Sugar Pork Chops
Step One:
Season your pork chops with salt and pepper.
Step Two:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the pork chops to the skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chops from the skillet and set aside.
Step Three:
Add butter to melt in the still-hot skillet, then add red chili flakes, brown sugar, and soy sauce to the butter. Stir to incorporate and simmer for 1-2 minutes.
Step Four:
Add the pork chops back to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they have become caramelized around the edges.
Step Five:
Top your brown sugar pork chops with fresh chopped herbs, serve with your favorite side dish, and enjoy!
Tips
- Make sure to season your pork chops generously with salt and pepper. This helps draw the juices out during cooking, resulting in unbelievable flavor and juicy texture. If you can, season your pork chops at least 20 minutes before you cook them to give them time to tenderize your chops.
- Avoid overcooking your pork chops as they cook fast and dry out when overcooked. You will want to ensure that you only sear them in the skillet the first time. The juices should still run a little pink when you remove them from the heat the first time because not only will they continue to cook as they rest, but your pork chops will be going back into the skillet to cook for a second time. Adjust your cooking time accordingly based on the size and thickness of your chops.
What to Serve With Brown Sugar Pork Chops
Brown sugar pork chops pair wonderfully with a variety of side dishes that complement their sweet and savory flavors. For a classic accompaniment, consider serving roasted vegetables such as carrots, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes. Alternatively, creamy mashed potatoes or buttery rice makes a comforting base for the succulent pork chops. A crisp harvest salad with a tangy lemon vinaigrette dressing adds freshness and lightness to the meal, balancing out the richness of the pork chops.
FAQs
Can I use boneless pork chops for this recipe?
Yes, boneless pork chops can be used if preferred. Just be mindful of adjusting the cooking time accordingly.
How do I know when the pork chops are done?
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork chops. They should reach an internal temperature of 145F for optimal doneness.
Can I prepare these pork chops in advance?
While it's best to cook the pork chops just before serving for optimal freshness, you can prepare the glaze in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use. Simply reheat the glaze before adding it to the pork chops.
More Pork Recipes
For more delicious pork recipes, be sure to check out our collection of mouthwatering dishes. From low and slow to quick and easy, you're sure to find something for any occasion.
Brown Sugar Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 2 pork chops bone-in
- 1 teaspoon salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Instructions
- Season your pork chops generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the pork chops to the skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chops from the skillet and set aside.
- Add butter to melt in the still-hot skillet, then add red chili flakes, brown sugar, and soy sauce to the butter. Stir to incorporate and simmer for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the pork chops back to the brown sugar mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they have become caramelized around the edges.
- Top with fresh chopped herbs, serve with your favorite side dish, and enjoy 🙂
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Make sure to season your pork chops generously with salt and pepper. This helps draw the juices out during cooking, resulting in unbelievable flavor and juicy texture. If you can, season your pork chops at least 20 minutes before you cook them to give them time to tenderize your chops.
- Avoid overcooking your pork chops as they cook fast and dry out when overcooked. You will want to ensure that you only sear them in the skillet the first time. The juices should still run a little pink when you remove them from the heat the first time because they will continue to cook as they rest, and your pork chops will go back into the skillet to cook for a second time. Adjust your cooking time accordingly based on the size and thickness of your chops.