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. Pair these juicy pork chops with your favorite sides — mashed potatoes, roasted veggies or even a fresh salad — for a meal you can’t go wrong with!
Why You’ll Love It
Few Ingredients: With just four pantry staples, you can whip up a scrumptious dinner.
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:
Cut of Meat: Bone-in chops for more flavor and moisture or boneless chops for a leaner take. Either work great in this recipe!
Thickness: Look for chops that are at least 1-inch thick so that they don’t overcook and lose their juiciness.
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
Prepare the Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C)
Step 2: Prepare the Pork Chops
If using, place pork chops in a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Top each pork chop with 1 tbsp brown sugar.
Put 1 tbsp margarine or butter on the brown sugar on each chop.
Drizzle soy sauce evenly all over all the pork chops.
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 with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery rice to absorb the sweet and savory glaze.
Green Sides: Serve with roasted green beans, steamed broccoli or a fresh spinach salad to counter the richness.
Southern-influenced: Serve with a side of cornbread or mac and cheese for a filling, 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:
Herbed Brown Sugar Chops: Mix fresh herbs, such as thyme or rosemary, into the brown sugar mixture for a fragrant twist.
Spicy Kick: Dust the chops with a little cayenne pepper or smoked paprika for a little warmth.
Citrus Glaze: Add a splash of orange or pineapple juice to the soy sauce for a zesty, tropical twist.
Maple Infusion: For more complex sweetness, swap out half the brown sugar for maple syrup.
Garlic Lovers: Finely chop a clove of garlic and work it into the butter before buttering the chops for a flavor boost.
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!