Description
A simple yet flavorful Southern-style baked pork chop recipe featuring a sticky, sweet, and savory brown sugar glaze. This dish is quick to prepare, perfect for weeknight dinners, and delivers a caramelized crust with juicy, tender meat.
Ingredients
- Bone-in, thick-cut pork chops (about 1-inch thick)
- Neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
- Brown sugar (packed firmly)
- Apple cider vinegar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Black pepper (freshly cracked)
- Salt (Kosher preferred)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat pork chops dry with paper towels.
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture is smooth (3-5 minutes).
- Rub pork chops lightly with neutral oil and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet or oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. Sear chops for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown (optional but recommended).
- Pour half of the warm glaze over the chops in the pan and brush to coat evenly.
- Transfer pan to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- About 5 minutes before done, baste chops with the remaining glaze.
- Remove chops when internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Let chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Do not skip the resting phase to ensure juices redistribute. If the glaze gets too dark, tent the pan with aluminum foil. Reserve a quarter cup of glaze to drizzle over chops after baking for fresh flavor. Ensure Worcestershire sauce is certified gluten-free if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pork chop per serv
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Protein: 30
Keywords: pork chops, brown sugar glaze, southern recipe, baked pork chops, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, sweet and savory