Description
Sizzling brown sugar pork chops make your weeknight dinner a breeze with minimal prep and maximum flavor. Glazed with a sweet and savory sauce, these tender chops will have your family asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 pork chops
Supporting Sweeteners:
- ½ cup brown sugar
Seasoning and Liquid Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Whisk together ½ cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper in a small bowl to create your tangy marinade.
- Transfer 4 pork chops into a large resealable plastic bag and pour the entire marinade mixture over them.
- Seal the bag and gently massage the marinade into the pork chops so each piece gets an even, glossy coating.
- Let the pork chops marinate at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to absorb maximum flavor.
- Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat and add a thin layer of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Remove pork chops from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip back into the bag.
- Cook the pork chops for 4-5 minutes on the first side until a golden-brown crust develops.
- Flip the chops and cook an additional 4-5 minutes, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 145°F with a meat thermometer.
- Transfer chops to a clean plate and let them rest for 3 minutes so the juices redistribute throughout the meat.
- Drizzle the remaining marinade over the chops just before serving to intensify the sweet and savory flavors.
Notes
- Marinate the pork chops for at least 15 minutes to help the brown sugar caramelize and infuse deep flavor into the meat.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure perfectly cooked, juicy pork chops without overcooking.
- For a gluten-free version, replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to maintain the same rich, savory profile.
- If cooking for a crowd, double the marinade recipe and consider grilling the pork chops for a smoky alternative to skillet cooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 398 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 636 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg