Brown Sugar Pork Chops

Brown sugar pork chops are juicy, pan-seared pork chops finished in a sweet and savory brown sugar glaze made with soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of cornstarch. The pork chops are seasoned first, seared until golden, then simmered gently in the glaze until cooked through and coated in sauce.

For this recipe, I recommend regular-cut or thick-cut pork chops because they have enough time to cook in the glaze without drying out. Bone-in chops are my preference for the extra flavor, but boneless pork chops work well too.

Ingredient Tips

• Pork chops: Use regular-cut or preferably thick-cut pork chops. Thin chops cook too quickly for this method and are more likely to overcook before the glaze has time to finish. Bone-in is my preference for the extra flavor, but boneless chops work too.
• Light brown sugar: You’ll use brown sugar in both the seasoning and the glaze. The glaze gets ½ cup, which gives the sauce its signature sweetness and helps it coat the pork chops as it cooks.
• Soy sauce: 1 tablespoon adds savory depth and balances the sweetness of the brown sugar.
• Worcestershire sauce: Another 1 tablespoon adds a deeper savory flavor to the glaze.
• Cornstarch: 1 teaspoon helps the brown sugar glaze thicken as it simmers around the pork chops.
• Smoked paprika: Adds a subtle smoky note to the seasoning without overpowering the glaze.
• Chili powder: Just ¼ teaspoon adds a little warmth to the seasoning rather than making the pork chops spicy.
• Garlic powder and black pepper: These round out the savory side of the seasoning and help balance the sweetness of the glaze.

How To Make Brown Sugar Pork Chops

Season the Pork Chops and Make the Glaze

1. Season the pork chops with the brown sugar, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, and black pepper.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the ½ cup light brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and cornstarch until combined.

Sear the Pork Chops

1. Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add the pork chops and sear them until they develop a golden color on the outside.
3. Remove the pork chops from the pan and set them aside.

Finish in the Brown Sugar Glaze

1. Reduce the heat to low.
2. Pour the brown sugar glaze mixture into the pan and stir.
3. Quickly return the pork chops to the pan.
4. Cover and allow the sauce to simmer gently while the pork chops finish cooking through.
5. Once the pork chops are done, remove the pan from the heat.
6. Let them cool slightly before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What To Serve With Brown Sugar Pork Chops

These pork chops have a sweet and savory glaze, so I like pairing them with simple sides that can balance the richness or soak up some of the extra sauce.

• Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli – An easy all-in-one vegetable and potato side that keeps the meal simple.
• Smothered Potatoes – Tender Southern-style potatoes are a good match for the rich brown sugar glaze.
• Southern Green Beans and Potatoes – A classic homestyle side that works especially well with pork.
• 3 Cheese Mac and Cheese – A richer comfort-food option if you want a more indulgent dinner.

More Pork Chop Recipes

• Hawaiian Pork Chops – A sweet and savory pork chop dinner with tropical flavor.
• Honey Mustard Pork Chops – Pork chops with another sweet-savory sauce variation.
• Smothered Apple Butter Pork Chops – A cozy pork chop recipe with a sweet apple-based sauce.
• Oven Baked BBQ Pork Chops – An easy baked option coated in barbecue flavor.
• Smothered Pork Chops – A classic savory pork chop dinner for when you want something less sweet.