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! Serve your chops with side dishes such as roasted pumpkin, oven baked potatoes and sauteed cabbage for a memorable meal.
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.
Brown sugar pork chops ingredients
To make this recipe, you’ll need pork chops, olive oil, butter, salt, pepper, garlic, brown sugar, Italian seasoning and parsley.
How do you make brown sugar pork chops?
Start by searing the pork chops in olive oil until they are golden brown. Remove the pork from the skillet, then add butter, brown sugar, garlic and Italian seasoning. Return the chops to the pan, and spoon the sauce over the top. Bake until the internal temperature of the pork is at least 145 degrees F. Remove the pork from the oven, then add a sprinkle of fresh parsley and serve.
Tips for the perfect dish
- For this recipe I prefer to use bone in pork chops cut about 1 inch thick. Bone in pork chops are great because the bone really helps to keep the pork juicy, and 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!
- Be sure to use an oven safe skillet so you can transfer the pork from the stove to the oven. If you don’t have a pan that can go in the oven, you can move the chops to a baking dish after they’re seared.
- Leftover pork chops will stay fresh in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- For extra tender chops, soak your pork in my pork chop brine before you sear them. You can also add more flavor with my pork chop marinade.
- Serve your meat with a side of potatoes, and I also like to add a steamed vegetable or green salad.
Recipe FAQs
Pork chops should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. The easiest way to gauge if your meat is done is to insert an instant read thermometer into the thickest part of the pork – be sure that the thermometer is not touching the bone! Once you’ve reached the correct temperature, remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for 3 minutes before you slice it.
While you can technically bake pork chops without browning them first, I do not recommend it. Browning the chops adds so much flavor and also the texture of the seared crust. It would take away from the flavor of the dish to put the pork in the oven without searing it.
The most important step to tender pork chops is to make sure you don’t overcook them! A thermometer is critical for success. It’s also a good idea to introduce a sauce during the cooking process to help keep them moist, such as the butter sauce in this recipe.
Flavor Variations
While this recipe is fabulous as-is, you can add other ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes.
- Protein: No pork chops on hand? This technique will also work well with boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
- Vegetables: Feel free to saute some veggies in the garlic sauce before you add the pork chops back in. Some great options include spinach, chopped asparagus, or sliced mushrooms.
- Flavorings: Amp up the flavor of the sauce with additions such as a splash of heavy cream, soy sauce, a little fresh lemon juice or lemon zest, green olives, capers, fresh herbs, or finish the dish with some parmesan cheese.
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 oven safe 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 4 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 10-12 minutes or until pork is cooked to at least 145 degrees F.
- 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.
- Be sure to use an oven safe skillet so you can transfer the pork from the stove to the oven. If you don’t have a pan that can go in the oven, you can move the chops to a baking dish after they’re seared.
I have THICK cut pork chops. Can I use those? They’re very large lol 1.25 or 1.5 inch thick. How long should I cook them in the oven?
Yes that’s fine just add another 10-15 minutes to the bake time!
I’ve never cooked meat with brown sugar but gave it a try and it was amazing! The meat was tender and had carmelized nicely. This recipe is a real gem!
We loved them , made as recipe called for. This is a keeper! Thank you so much.
I made it for dinner this evening and it was delicious! It’s going to be a keeper for us, thank you for sharing the recipe.
So happy you enjoyed it, thank you for reporting back!
This is a fabulous recipe! I wasn’t sure about the brown sugar, but oh my goodness, the sauce took the tender chops to the next level. I will definitely be making this again.
So happy to hear you enjoyed it, I appreciate you reporting back!
I rarely leave comments about recipes – good or bad, but this was truly the best EVER way to prepare pork chops. Every bite was tasty and moist.
So happy to hear you enjoyed it, thank you for coming back to comment!
What temp do you cook them on?
400 degrees F!
These are the best pork chops I ever had! Thank you!
SO glad to hear you enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!
I’ve made these over a dozen times and they are perfect each and every time! Thank you for the recipe.
So glad to hear you love this recipe, thanks for reporting back!
Can use boneless chops? That’s all I have
Yes that’s fine!
I’ve made these so many times since finding this recipe. My family adores them. I honestly don’t like pork chops any other way anymore. Lol.
So glad to hear you enjoy them, thank you for reporting back!
If i dont have an oven safe skillet, will it be okay to transfer to a dish?
Yes that’s totally fine!
This is such a great recipe. We made this yesterday using bacon drips for the searing process (bacon was going into the loaded, twice baked potatoes) and it was fabulous. Have also made it with the oil as listed and YUM. I’m not a huge pork chop fan because it is very easy to dry them out. . . not with this recipe, though. The only suggestion I would have is that if you are using a cast iron pan, let the pan cool some after the searing and before adding the butter and sugar, etc. It can cook VERY quickly otherwise and get over caramelized — which is what happened to my co-worker who warned me.
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Shut the front door! Made this a couple of weeks ago for the hubs and it’s all he’s been asking for! Absolutely juicy and flavorful! Making them again tonight! Easy cheesy and sooo good! Thank you for this great recipe!
So happy to hear you loved them, thanks so much for reporting back!
This is my go to recipe for bone-in pork chops from now on. This is the second time making them.. Ingredients are few yet the flavor is delicious. I served with mashed potatoes and greens.
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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!!!
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I’ve made these pork chops twice now and both times they cane out juicy and delicious. My husband loved them!!!
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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 😊
This recipe was quick and easy , and quite tasty. I will certainly make this again.
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!!!