Simply, addicting way to wow your dinner with These Brown Sugar Chops Using only a few ingredients, from brown sugar and soy sauce to butter, these chops bake into tender submission, making a caramelized glaze that’s earthy and sweet.
Simple to make and explosive with flavor, this recipe is ideal for weeknight meals or casual dinners. Serve them up with your favorite sides — mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, a fresh salad, whatever you love — and you won’t go wrong with this meal.
Why You’ll Love It
Few Ingredients: You can make a delicious dinner with just four pantry staples.
Sweet and Savory: The brown sugar glaze caramelizes beautifully, drawing out the inherent flavor of the pork.
Moist and Flavorful: Covering the pork chops while baking helps them retain moisture and flavor.
Friendly for Beginners: This is so minimal prep and such simple instructions, it’s good for cooks of all levels.
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Key Ingredients:
You can use either bone-in chops (for extra flavor and moisture) or boneless ones (for a leaner option) for this recipe. Both kinds end up gorgeous! If you’re buying pork chops, choose cuts that are a minimum of an inch thick — otherwise they won’t remain juicy and tender they will dry out while cooking.
Alternative Protein This glaze would be lovely, too, with chicken thighs or boneless pork loin.
Type: Light brown sugar is best, but dark brown sugar will do if you want a stronger note of molasses.
Even Coating: Use the sugar in an even blanket over the chops for even caramelization.
Butter Option: Use margarine for unsalted butter made for a richer flavor.
Distribution: Putting the butter directly on top of the brown sugar right assures that it melts down into the chops to form that lovely glaze.
Balance: The soy sauce provides a savory, umami punch to counter the sweetness of the brown sugar.
Low Sodium: If you’re concerned with sodium, low-sodium soy sauce is available.
Full list of ingredients with amounts and instructions is available in the recipe card at the bottom of the post
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Heat the Oven: Preheat it to 350°F (175°C)
Step 2: Get the Seasoning on the Pork Chops
If using, arrange pork chops in a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Sprinkle 1 tbsp brown sugar on top of each pork chop.
Spread 1 tbsp margarine or butter on the brown sugar on each chop.
Step 3: Bake the Pork Chops
Tightly cover the pan with aluminum foil.
Transfer to oven and bake for 45 minutes.
Step 4: Caramelize the Glaze
Take off the foil and bake uncovered for 15 more minutes, or until the glaze caramelizes and the pork chops brown well.
Step 5: Serve
After you remove the pork chops from the oven, let them rest a few minutes.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions:
Classic Comfort: Serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes or buttery rice to soak up the sweet and savory glaze.
Green Sides: Racket roasted green beans, steamed broccoli or a fresh spinach salad to temper the fat.
Southern-influenced: Pair with cornbread or mac and cheese for a hearty, down-home meal.
Pair it up with : A light white wine, such as Chardonnay, or a crisp apple cider goes well with the flavors.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
Refrigerating Leftovers: Refrigerate pork chops in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To reheat: To prevent dryness, reheat, covered, in your oven at 325°F for 10-15 minutes.
To freeze: Freeze the cooked pork chops in a single layer, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Make Ahead: You can assemble the chops with the glaze in the baking dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 12 hours. Bake as directed when ready.
Variations:
For an aromatic turn, stir a teaspoon of fresh herbs, such as thyme or rosemary, into the brown sugar mixture: Herbed Brown Sugar Chops.
Spicy Kick: Dust the chops with a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika for some heat.
Citrus Glaze: Mix a splash of orange or pineapple juice into the soy sauce for a little tangy, tropical flavor.
Maple Infusion: For a more complex sweetness, replace half the brown sugar with maple syrup.
Garlic Lovers: Finely chop a clove of garlic into the butter before buttering the chops — it adds even more flavor.
Conclusion:
These Brown Sugar Chops are the sweet and savory perfection. The tender texture, caramelized glaze and rich flavor make them a dish that already feels like one the family will love. Whether you are cooking up a cozy dinner for two or feeding a hungry crowd, this recipe won’t disappoint.
So turn on that oven and prepare for a meal that’s as simple as it is delectable. (Trust me—you’ll be back for seconds, and thirds.) Enjoy!
Delicious Brown Sugar Chops
Ingredients
- 6 pork chops
- 6 tbsp brown sugar
- 6 tbsp margarine or butter
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Arrange the pork chops in a 9x13 inch baking pan. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of brown sugar over each chop. Place 1 tablespoon of margarine or butter on top of the brown sugar on each chop. Drizzle the soy sauce evenly over all the pork chops.
- Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until the glaze caramelizes and the pork chops brown nicely.
- Let the pork chops rest for a few minutes after removing them from the oven. Serve warm and enjoy!