Brown Sugar Garlic Pork Chops are cooked in a buttery sauce that’s both sweet and spicy with lots of garlic flavor. Such a great way to cook pork chops.
Brown Sugar Pork Chops Recipe
This brown sugar pork chops recipe uses simple ingredients and they are a breeze to cook up for a family dinner.
The pork chops are first seared really well in a pan and then they finish cooking in the oven. The sauce is a simple mixture of butter, light brown sugar, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, paprika, and thyme. So easy and so delicious!
I have a story about these pork chops. The first time I made them my son was dishing himself up and he dropped a pork chop on the floor. In about 1 second, my dog Baxter swallowed it whole! And it was a huge bone-in pork chop. I don’t know how he did it!
The next day Baxter started walking funny and I thought he was having a stroke so I took him to the vet. Turns out he was just having stomach pains from the pork chop. Luckily it didn’t do any damage.
Is Brown Sugar Good On Pork Chops?
That answer is a resounding yes! The sweetness of the brown sugar enhances the flavors of the pork. Plus it helps the outside of the pork get caramelized. Use either light or dark brown sugar.
Reader Comment
Lorie says- “I am not a huge fan of pork chops do I decided to look for a recipe that maybe I would like. I came across yours and so glad I did !
Absolutely delish 😋 I love the garlicky,sweet and savory flavor. I even ate two of them ! Thank you,incredible 👍” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What Kind of Pork Chops Are Best For This Recipe?
This recipe is best with thick-cut, bone-in pork chops. The bone not only adds flavor but helps keep the pork chop from drying out. I like rib pork chops. Look for ones that have a nice amount of fat. The fat will help keep the pork chops juicy.
How To Make
(More detailed instructions in recipe card below.)
- Prepare the pork chops. Pat them dry and season them with salt and pepper.
- Sear the pork chops. Cook the pork chops on each side for about 5 minutes in an oven-proof skillet with a little oil. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the glaze. Add the glaze ingredients to the skillet and cook for 1 minute.
- Return the pork chops and spoon the glaze over them.
- Bake the pork chops. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 10 to 14 minutes.
How Do You Keep Pork Chops Moist and Tender?
Use bone-in pork chops that are at least 3/4-inch thick. Thinner pork chops then to get dry and chewy. Make sure they have some fat marbling and that you don’t overcook them. Pork is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Check with an instant-read thermometer.
Brown Sugar Garlic Pork Chops Recipe Tips
- Cooking time can vary greatly based on the thickness and size of your pork chops. Use the cooking time as an estimate. A quick read thermometer is really handy.
- Pork is done when it reaches an internal temperature 0f 145 degrees. You don’t want to overcook the pork chops or they will be dry and chewy.
If you use boneless pork chops, they will cook a little faster. - Rosemary can be used instead of thyme.
I hope you give these brown sugar pork chops a try and let me know how you like them!
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItTry These Other Fabulous Pork Chop Recipes
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Brown Sugar Garlic Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 5 bone-in thick-cut pork chops
- salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.Pat pork chops dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil over medium-high heat in an oven-proof skillet. (Cast iron or stainless steel)
- When the oil is hot, add pork chops. Cook for 5 minutes, flip over and cook for 4 minutes. Remove from skillet and cover to keep warm.
- Turn heat down to medium-low and add butter.
- When butter is melted, add brown sugar, garlic, red pepper flakes, paprika, and thyme.
- Cook for 1 minute.
- Return pork chops to skillet and spoon butter mixture over them.
- Bake for 10 to 14 minutes or until pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees.You can pull it out of the oven when it is a few degrees below 145. The temperature will rise a few degrees.
- Plate pork chops and spoon sauce over them.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
These were delicious and very tender as well as easy to make. Loved that sweet sauce in particular. Definitely one I’ll be making again!
Amazing. We cook thick cut boneless pork loin chops often – bountiful and cost effective.
This recipe was sweet, savory with a bit of nice heat. We will do again.
Great recipe!! Easy to cook and came out super tender. Going to cook them tonight again!! thank you!
I am not a huge fan of pork chops do I decided to look for a recipe that maybe I would like. I came across yours and so glad I did !
Absolutely delish 😋 I love the garlicky,sweet and savory flavor. I even ate two of them ! Thank you,incredible 👍
Oh my gosh