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Home » Dinner » Brown Sugar Pork Chops

Published: February 8, 2018 Last Modified: March 24, 2019 By Sara 106 Comments

Brown Sugar Pork Chops

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Brown Sugar Pork Chops Recipe | Bone In Pork Chops Recipe | Garlic Butter Pork Chops | Skillet Pork Chops

These brown sugar pork chops are seared to golden brown perfection and bathed in a garlic, butter and brown sugar sauce. The absolute BEST way to eat pork chops!

Looking for a quick and easy way to use up those pork chops in your fridge? Pork chops in brown sugar sauce is a family favorite that always gets rave reviews!

Brown Sugar Pork Chops Recipe | Bone In Pork Chops Recipe | Garlic Butter Pork Chops | Skillet Pork Chops #pork #porkchops #garlic #dinner #glutenfree #dinneratthezoo

Brown sugar pork chops with garlic, butter and herbs in a frying pan.

I get asked all the time, what is the best way to cook pork chops? And I always respond by promising to send people the recipe for these amazingly delicious brown sugar pork chops! This recipe is quick and easy, and you probably have all the ingredients you need to make it sitting right in your kitchen.

How to make brown sugar pork chops

Let’s first talk about the pork chops – so many cuts, so many sizes to choose from! You’ve got bone in, boneless, thick cut, thin cut. Which one is the best to use?

For these garlic butter pork chops, I like to use bone in pork chops cut about 1 inch thick. I like bone in pork chops because the bone really helps to keep the pork juicy, there’s less of a risk of it overcooking and becoming dry. That being said, you absolutely can use boneless pork chops here, just watch them carefully to make sure they don’t overcook!

Browned bone in pork chops in a frying pan.

The first step for this recipe is to sear your meat to golden brown. I use olive oil for this part because it can be heated to a much higher temperature than butter, and always produces a nice browned crust on meat. After the pork has been seared, you’re going to remove it from the pan and add some butter, brown sugar, garlic and seasonings.

Melted butter, brown sugar, herbs and garlic form the sauce for brown sugar pork chops.

The pork goes back into the pan and is bathed with the buttery garlic goodness, then takes a quick trip through the oven. Make sure you’re using a skillet that’s oven safe!

The final result is tender and juicy pork chops coated in the most delectable sweet and savory sauce. I like to sprinkle my brown sugar pork chops with a little parsley for color and flavor.

Be sure to serve your pork on a bed of mashed potatoes, rice, or even pasta to soak up all that sauce!

Brown sugar pork chops on a bed of mashed potatoes.

Even my kids adore these pork chops, they ask for them every week. Whether you’re a pro at cooking pork chops, or are just looking to branch out a little bit with your dinner time offerings, you’re sure to enjoy this recipe.

More pork recipes you’ll enjoy

  • Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin
  • Apple Pork Chops
  • 15 Boneless Pork Chop Recipes
  • Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
  • Pork Scallopini
Brown sugar pork chops with garlic, butter and herbs in a frying pan.
Print Pin
4.99 from 62 votes

Brown Sugar Pork Chops

These brown sugar pork chops are seared to golden brown perfection and bathed in a garlic, butter and brown sugar sauce. The absolute BEST way to eat pork chops!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 416kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 4 bone in pork chops
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • lemon wedges and parsley sprigs for serving optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat.
  • Season the pork chops on both sides with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add the pork chops to the pan in a single layer. Cook for 5-6 minutes on each side or until browned.
  • Remove the pork from the pan and place on a plate. Cover with foil to keep warm.
  • Add the butter to the pan and melt. Add the garlic, brown sugar and Italian seasoning and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  • Place the pork chops back in the pan and spoon the sauce over the top. 
  • Place the pan in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until pork is cooked to desired level of done-ness.
  • Spoon the sauce from the bottom of the pan over the pork chops and sprinkle with parsley. Serve, garnished with lemon wedges and parsley sprigs if desired.

Notes

  1. If you don't have Italian seasoning, you can substitute equal parts of dried oregano, dried basil and dried thyme.

Nutrition

Calories: 416kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 170mg | Potassium: 593mg | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 260IU | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1.3mg
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Filed Under: Dinner, Gluten Free

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    Comments

    1. A says

      March 6, 2022 at 4:01 pm

      What would be the difference for boneless..

      Reply
      • Sara says

        March 7, 2022 at 8:18 am

        Bake for 8-10 minutes!

        Reply
    2. Kristen says

      November 8, 2021 at 3:28 pm

      5 stars
      It’s very rare that the whole family likes a recipe. This one we all loved and everyone was looking for more sauce. I shared this recipe with all my family and friends. Definitely a new staple!!

      Reply
    3. Julie says

      September 27, 2021 at 9:14 am

      Can I do the first 2 steps ahead of time and throw in the oven before dinner?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        September 27, 2021 at 4:24 pm

        I’d be concerned that the pork would get tough because it will cool completely, and then will need more time in the oven to cook from cold compared to a freshly seared chop!

        Reply
    4. Jim says

      August 18, 2021 at 9:16 am

      5 stars
      Just recently moved into new house, and a lot of kitchen stuff still needed unpacked. I was surfing for a simple meal, and found this recipe. Local meat market had THICK boneless pork chops on special, so it seemed like a perfect match. My trusted cast-iron fry pan was no where to be found, so had to use plastic handled fry pan and an 8×8 pyrex baking dish to finish in oven (lined with foil for easy cleanup). Chops were so thick, had to cook an extra 10 minutes, but came out perfect!! Served over bed of rice. Family loved them! Will definitely make again! Next time, 1-pan convenience, and double ingredients. Everyone wanted more sauce to put on their rice.

      Reply
    5. Jennifer Mensch says

      August 16, 2021 at 3:49 pm

      5 stars
      A keeper recipe!

      Reply
    6. Kaylee Kincaid says

      June 19, 2021 at 7:55 am

      5 stars
      This is my favorite way to have pork chops. My dad actually substituted the Italian seasoning for blackened Cajun seasoning, since we did not have any and it was really delicious!! Thank you!

      Reply
    7. Emily says

      March 5, 2021 at 5:35 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe always gets cheers and effusive praise from my kids! It is a favorite in our house for sure.

      Reply
    8. Kristal says

      February 24, 2021 at 4:03 pm

      These were very easy to make and soooo delicious! You won’t be disappointed!

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        March 19, 2021 at 7:01 pm

        AMAZING!! I’ve made these twice now! The 2nd time, however the butter completely separated from the sauce… 😞 Any thoughts on how to avoid this in the future?

        Reply
    9. Andrea says

      January 13, 2021 at 9:24 am

      5 stars
      This is the best pork chop recipe I’ve ever used! My husband and teenage son love them prepared this way. I use a large iron skillet and a Pampered Chef digital thermometer and they turn out perfectly every time!!! Garlic mashed potatoes and glazed carrots help make this an incredible meal! 👩🏼‍🍳

      Reply
    10. Matt says

      October 30, 2020 at 6:31 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely amazing recipe! My wife said it tasted like we went out to a fancy restaurant, which is not a compliment I usually get. The flavors were incredible.

      I used too thin of pork chops and they got slightly overdone, but I cook for my family so over is better than under. Had baby red potatoes and sweet corn for sides and they went perfectly.

      Reply
    11. Staci says

      September 25, 2020 at 9:52 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness. Thank you for this recipe. I did exactly as you said . I had very thick pork chops. This was perfect to ensure it was juicy and done. That brown sugar sauce was on point. I wish I could upload a picture.

      Reply
    12. Adley Michael says

      July 19, 2020 at 7:19 pm

      5 stars
      Outstanding – great way to cook up some chops – and beyond easy = delicious – thank you – will make these for my next dinner party!

      Reply
    13. Nelda Brady says

      July 19, 2020 at 5:16 pm

      My chops were slightly thinner than 1 inch, so I cut the cooking time down. 3 minute sear on each side, 5 minutes in the oven, and use your thermometer (because even that was more than enough!) . I also took the pan off the heat to melt the butter and make the glaze on my second attempt (after it burnt!). The glaze was very tasty over my mashed potatoes!(great suggestion!) and I snuck a little more for my steamed carrots. Yum! Will make again!

      Reply
    14. Kristin Wray Nebhuth says

      July 10, 2020 at 3:30 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent dish! Made it tonight with mash potatoes and green beans! Yum!👍

      Reply
    15. Ronda says

      July 9, 2020 at 7:54 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! These were the best pork chops and the glaze was was awesome!

      Reply
    16. Knox says

      June 25, 2020 at 12:05 pm

      4 stars
      I made these last night and want to stress the importance of using a thermometer. I trust this site immensely so did it by time but but I had pretty thick bone in chops and they were sadly overcooked.

      The sauce was divine and you live and learn.

      Reply
    17. Peaches says

      June 10, 2020 at 8:25 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve never been a big pork chop fan, but this was incredible! My kids and fiancé raved about the sauce and I was pretty impressed myself. Super simple and easy to make. The only thing I did difference was doubled the sauce and I’m so glad I did! This will definitely be a new staple recipe in our house. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Peaches says

        June 10, 2020 at 8:27 pm

        5 stars
        I should’ve double checked my grammar and spelling before submitting lol

        Reply
    18. Karen says

      June 7, 2020 at 1:45 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious!!!!! Will make again!!

      Reply
    19. Susan L says

      April 28, 2020 at 6:23 pm

      5 stars
      My family doesn’t always like pork recipes but they loved this one! Just caution that if you use thinner chops, sear less time so they don’t dry out. Sauce was delicious. My daughter said I should make this once a week!

      Reply
      • MindyT says

        July 6, 2020 at 3:04 pm

        5 stars
        Omg… this is the best recipe I’ve ever used!!! Thanks so much. For sharing 🥰

        Reply
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