Name: Smothered Baked Pork Chops
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds pork chops (bone-in adds extra flavor); 1/4 cup Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 2 tablespoons salted butter; 5 tablespoons honey; 1 teaspoon freshly chopped rosemary; salt and pepper (to taste)

These Smothered Baked Pork Chops are coated in a honey-mustard glaze infused with garlic, rosemary and butter. The result are juicy, tender chops with a beautifully balanced sweet and savory notes that’s sure to win out at any dinner table. Then serve them with any number of things on the side, fluffy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, a crisp green salad, and you’ve got a complete, satisfying meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Juicy and luscious: The pork chops are in wonderful honey-mustard sauce, which keeps them moist and juicy and creates the nigh-impossible-to-overcome problem of dry pork.

Easy Prep: With a few ingredients and even fewer steps, this recipe cooks up quickly but is fancy enough to serve to guests.

Loaded With Flavor: The sauce, thick and balanced, draws its heft from Dijon mustard, honey and garlic; a little rosemary adds a fresh, herbaceous note.

Minimal Clean-Up: A one-pan meal means fewer dishes to wash when you’re done cooking!

Key Ingredients:

Pork Chops: Bone-in pork chops have more juiciness over boneless chops, but you can use boneless if you want. Just keep in mind that boneless cuts will cook a little more quickly, so check in on temperature early.

Honey: If you don’t have honey, you can use maple syrup, which is a tasty substitute that imparts its own distinct sweetness.

Rosemary: Fresh rosemary adds wonderful flavor; you can substitute dried rosemary if necessary. You could also substitute it for thyme or sage for an herbaceous note different from the one here.

Dijon Mustard: Spicy brown or whole grain mustard are great substitutes for the Dijon.

Full ingredients list with amounts and instructions are in the recipe card below

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Instructions:

Step 1: Prep the pork chops

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) for even cooking.

Grease a baking dish lightly so the pork chops do not stick to the bottom of the dish, which will save on world cursing at cleanup time.

Generously season both sides of the pork chops with salt and pepper. Add the chops to the prepared baking dish in a single layer.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

In a small bowl, combine:

¼ cup Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon minced garlic

5 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced

2 tablespoons salted butter

Heat the sauce mixture in the microwave oven for 30 seconds or so, until the butter has melted all the way. Mix up the sauce very well so it comes together and becomes rich balanced flavor.

Step 3: Dress the Chops

Apply Half of the Sauce:

Drizzle half of the honey-mustard sauce over the pork chops, spreading it evenly over their surface with the back of a spoon.

Flip and Repeat:

Turn the pork chops over to cover the other side with the remaining saucemaking sure to cover it completely.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Bake the Pork Chops:

Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. What that means is the pork chops would be cooked, tender and juicy.

Check for Doneness:

This takes about 30 minutes as well; check the internal temperature of your pork chops with a meat thermometer. Cooking temps: 145°F (63°C) for perfectly cooked pork.

If the chops are still too raw, check for doneness in another 5 10 minutes.

Step 5: Serve with Style

Let the Pork Chops Rest:

Take the baking dish out of the oven and let the pork chops rest for a few minutes. It’s how you let the juices redistribute, so what you have is juicy, flavorful meat.

Plate and Add Sauce:

Plate each pork chop and spoon the reserved honey-mustard sauce from the top of the baking dish over it to provide flavor and moisture.

Serving Suggestions:

These Smothered Baked Pork Chops are pretty self-explanatory and an awesome range of side dish options with respect to one meal. Here are a few ideas:

A pair with classic creamy mashed potatoes that shine with the rich comics sauce.

Roasted Vegetables: Serve alongside roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, or green beans for a nutritious colorful side.

Rice Pilaf: Basic rice pilaf works well, or even wild rice, which is great for mopping up the extra sauce.

Buttered Noodles: An easy, kid-friendly option is to serve the chops on buttered noodles.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips:

Refrigerate: Place leftover pork chops in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days. Warm in a 325° (160°) oven, or in the microwave, until heated through.

Freeze: You can freeze the cooked pork chops, wrapping them individually in foil or putting them in a freezer-safe container. Store for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat before serving.

Meal Prep Tip: The honey-mustard sauce can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. And it helps prep the dish when you’re ready to bake.

Recipe Variations:

Herb-Crusted Pork Chops: Create an impossibly crunchy crust by coating your pork chops in a mixture of breadcrumbs and fresh herbs, then baking them. And to get a nice brown, crunchy top, broil them for a couple of minutes at the end of cooking.

Maple-Mustard Glaze: Obtain a rich, autumnal glaze by replacing the honey in the sauce with pure maple syrup. This brings a deeper, mellower sweetness more suited to the chill.

Spicy Honey-Mustard Sauce: Add a little heat to your sauce by incorporating crushed red pepper flakes, or a splash of your favorite hot sauce. This sweet-and-spicy mix you make at home adds a wonderful new flavor to your pork chops.

Conclusion:

These Smothered Baked Pork Chops are gonna be a family favorite y’all, with their tender, juicy texture, and positively appetizing, secret ingredient honey-mustard sauce. Whether you set this recipe on the table for a cozy weeknight dinner or serve it to a group for a special gathering, it’s a dish that never fails.