Description
These delicious brown sugar pork chops are tender, juicy, and coated with a rich, caramelized brown sugar glaze. Searing the chops locks in flavor, while baking them in the oven with a buttery brown sugar sauce creates a perfectly balanced sweet and savory main dish that’s simple to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 4 thick pork chops, about 1 inch thick
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chops after searing.
- Prepare Sauce Mixture: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix together the brown sugar, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce to create a flavorful glaze.
- Melt Butter: Place an oven-safe skillet on the stovetop over medium heat and melt the butter completely, ensuring it coats the pan.
- Sear Pork Chops: Add the pork chops to the skillet and sear them on each side until they develop a golden brown crust, about 3–4 minutes per side; this locks in juices and enhances flavor.
- Add Brown Sugar Glaze: Pour the prepared brown sugar mixture evenly over the seared pork chops in the skillet.
- Bake in Oven: Transfer the skillet directly to the preheated oven and bake the pork chops for 10–15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) for safe consumption.
- Baste Chops: Occasionally spoon the glaze over the chops while baking to keep them moist and intensify the flavor.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving; spoon the caramelized pan sauce over the chops for added taste.
Notes
- Using an oven-safe skillet for searing and baking helps in seamless cooking and better flavor integration.
- Letting the meat rest after baking allows juices to redistribute, ensuring tenderness.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer for perfect doneness.
- You can substitute soy sauce with tamari for a gluten-free option.
- Serve these chops with steamed vegetables or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
