An easy spice rub gives Brown Sugar Pork Chops sweet and smoky flavor and an irresistible caramelized finish — a perfect dish ready in minutes!
It’s sometimes amazing how easy it can be to turn a simple piece of meat like a pork chop into a delicious and memorable meal. That’s exactly what appeals to me about brown sugar pork chops. Simply by adding a small collection of common spices and searing the pork chops for a couple of minutes, you can end up with tasty and tender pork chops. The recipe and cooking process are simple and the results are incredible.
By searing the pork chops before cooking them in the oven, the brown sugar in the spice mixture is able to caramelize, adding some sweetness to the pork chops. The paprika and garlic powder also add great flavor and aromatics to the dish. Of course, if you’re careful not to overcook the pork chops in the oven, they will end up with a juicy center to go with the crispy seared outside, which most of us will agree is the perfect combination with pork chops.
Even with a pork chop that’s juicy on the inside, I still find myself needing some type of dipping sauce. That’s why I recommend you whip up a Keto BBQ Sauce that can be made in 10 minutes while the pork chops are in the oven. I also have a recipe for a Spicy BBQ Sauce if you don’t mind a little heat.
Are Brown Sugar Pork Chops Healthy?
As you can probably imagine, brown sugar pork chops are an excellent source of protein. And since you’re only adding ingredients to create a spice rub, then pan-searing them in a minimal amount of oil, there isn’t a lot of added calories or sodium in this recipe. On the other hand, pork chops sometimes have a lot of fat on them. Trimming them of visible fat can be an easy solution.
Extra Herbs and Spices
As the name implies, brown sugar should be the main ingredient in the spice mixture you use with these pork chops. But feel free to add a few different spices that aren’t listed in the recipe. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and coriander can add a little sweetness and complement the brown sugar. Also, cumin, chili powder, and ground mustard can add a little more heat to the chops, making them both sweet and spicy. If you want to mix things up even more, consider putting a few slices of pineapple or mango on top of the pork chops while they cook in the oven for a fruity twist.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 bone-in pork chops (about 1 inch thick)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix
Combine spices and rub on pork chops.
Cook
Sear and bake pork chops to perfection.
Serve
Rest pork chops before serving.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
You can make the spice mixture and rub it on the pork chops up to 8 hours ahead of cooking if you like. Just place the chops in a sealed container in the refrigerator, then let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking. Once cooked, leftover pork chops should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days.
The technique of searing the outside of the chops first, then popping them pan-and-all in the oven to finish, is an easy way to ensure a nicely browned (not burned) exterior and juicy meat inside. You can, however, continue to cook them on the stovetop if you prefer. Just make sure you move them around frequently and lower the heat as necessary so the sugar on the outside doesn’t burn. You can flip them back and forth a few times if that helps.
Yes, if you don’t have pork chops, or just find that you like this recipe and want to try variations, you could easily substitute chicken or steak. Just adjust the cooking time as needed. You can also use boneless pork chops; again, just adjust the cooking time so they don’t dry out.
Serving Suggestions
I typically like to have one or two vegetable side dishes to serve with pork chops. One of my favorites is Honey-Glazed Carrots, although Cumin Roasted Carrots are a great complement to pork chops as well. If you prefer a grilled vegetable, I would recommend Grilled Broccoli, and Instant Pot Green Beans are excellent for Instant Pot fans. Of course, a serving of Healthy Mashed Potatoes is always a good side dish to pair with pork chops, too.
Recipe
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 bone-in pork chops about 1 inch thick
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
-
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
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Preheat the oven to 375°F. Rub the spice mixture over both sides of the pork chops. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and sear the pork chops for 2-3 minutes on each side, until browned.
-
Place the seared pork chops in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until an internal temperature of 145°F is reached.
-
Remove the pork chops from the oven, let them rest for 3 minutes, then serve.
Nutrition Info:
Calories: 376kcal (19%) Carbohydrates: 7g (2%) Protein: 35g (70%) Fat: 22g (34%) Saturated Fat: 6g (38%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g Monounsaturated Fat: 11g Trans Fat: 0.2g Cholesterol: 117mg (39%) Sodium: 386mg (17%) Potassium: 609mg (17%) Fiber: 0.3g (1%) Sugar: 6g (7%) Vitamin A: 258IU (5%) Vitamin C: 0.01mg Calcium: 40mg (4%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
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