Description
Brown sugar baked pork chops deliver a mouthwatering blend of sweet and savory that will make your dinner table sing with flavor. Caramelized edges and tender meat come together in this simple recipe that turns an ordinary weeknight meal into something special.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless pork chops
Supporting Seasonings:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a baking dish with 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Mix ½ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Coat 4 pork chops completely with the seasoning blend, ensuring both sides are evenly covered.
- Arrange the seasoned pork chops in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until your pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145°F with an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove the dish from the oven and let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes. This helps the meat retain its juices.
- Spoon the pan drippings over the pork chops before serving to enhance the rich, caramelized flavor.
Notes
- Ensure your pork chops are roughly the same thickness so they cook evenly and prevent some pieces from drying out.
- Opt for bone-in pork chops when possible, as they tend to remain more moist and tender during baking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and avoid overcooking, which can make the meat tough and dry.
- For a low-carb version, replace brown sugar with a sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener or erythritol to maintain the caramelized flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg