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!
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!
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.
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!
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
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
- If you don't have Italian seasoning, you can substitute equal parts of dried oregano, dried basil and dried thyme.
Sandy says
These taste delicious and I had all ingredients on hand. My chops were a little thick so they weren’t done after 15 min In oven. I cooked another 15 min., and They actually could have cooked a little longer. I would say 35-40 min. I loved the flavor and will make again! Happy husband!!!
Sara says
So glad you enjoyed them, thanks for reporting back!
Linda says
I’ve made these pork chops twice now and both times they cane out juicy and delicious. My husband loved them!!!
Sara says
So glad you enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!
Kelli says
I made this lastnight for dinner it was so good. My husband loved it to. I’m not a big pork chop fan but when I tried them like this 😊
Lisa says
This recipe was quick and easy , and quite tasty. I will certainly make this again.
Wandak says
I tried this recipe and I’m in luv with it. Pork chops were juicy and full of flavor. I made with sweet potatoes and fresh string beans…delicious!!!
Debbie says
These look so amazing! Can’t wait to try them.
Karly says
You have convinced me that these are the absolute best pork chops! Now I need to try! Thanks for sharing!
Jessica says
Can I use key limes instead of lemon?
Sara says
I think that would work fine!
Anosa says
For the last couple weeks been looking for a good recipe for pork chops and I think yours is the winner, so easy to make and looks so delicious. I know exactly what I will be trying this week. Thanks fro this recipe
Kita Bryant says
I would love to get my hands on these. I love cooking with brown sugar.
Our Family World says
This recipe cane in time, just when I was thinking of what to do with the pork chops. My husband suggested that we have pork chops for dinner tomorrow, so this will be the perfect recipe!
Ruth I. says
You had me at garlic butter, YUM!! I can only imagine how amazing these pork chops are with the brown sugar also!
Heather says
I’m not a big pork chops fan, but I’d totally eat it like this! I think it just has to have the right seasoning.
Heather says
These look great. We don’t eat meat but when we did, this would have been a recipe we definitely would have tried.
Lisa Favre says
Pork and brown sugar really do go hand-in-hand. I hardly prepare pork because I don’t really know how so I’ll have to try your recipe out.
Pam says
My husband would love these. He always wishes that I would make pork chops more often than I do.
Saidah Washington says
Brown sugar sauce on pork chops sound absolutely delicious!! I never though of this but it sounds like something I would try.
Emily says
I for some reason always forget to make pork chops as a meal option. They are always a hit in my house! I do not think I have ever had them with brown sugar before, I will be giving this a try.
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
I love using thick cut pork chops! This flavor blend sounds delish. I do something slightly similar, and mix brown sugar with an herbes de provence.
Food and Footprints says
Those look absolutely delicious! Garlic and olive oil is an unbeatable combo. The finished product looks nice and juicy.
Alison Rost says
I love it when the flavors come together! Everything is definitely going to compliment the pork chop and make it taste even better. I’d love to give the recipe a try.
Tomi c says
I bake pork chops usually 1 a week or a couple of times a month so this recipe would definitely be something I would try. The bittersweet brown sugar coupled with the mild sweetness of pork is always a good pairing.
Jeanette says
Workshops can be so bland to me that I’m always looking for recipes to make them taste outstanding. This one looks wonderful and I cannot wait to try it.
candy says
OMG wish I was at your house for dinner. Those pan seared pork chops look perfect. Family will love this meal.
Amber Myers says
Thank you for these! I was just trying to figure out another way to make pork chops and you answered my question. I usually am boring and mine are just breaded so I need to make these! My kids will be excited for the change.
Alli Smith says
Any sauce that has brown sugar as an ingredient has to be delicious! Pork Chops are a favorite with my husband and your recipe looks amazing. I have to try this one. Pinning!
Yvette says
They were absolutely delicious! I seasoned them with a little steak seasoning, and followed the recipe to the note! This is my new pork chop recipes❤️