Brown Sugar Pork Chops
Thick-cut pork chops rubbed with a sweet and smoky brown sugar seasoning, seared to a caramelized crust, and oven-finished to juicy perfection. Only 8 ingredients and 35 minutes from start to plate.
- Total Time35 minutes
- Yield4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 thick-cut pork chops (bone-in or boneless)
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix the Rub: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Season the Chops: Pat pork chops dry with paper towels. Rub the seasoning mix generously over both sides of each chop, pressing it into the surface.
- Sear the Chops: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter is foaming and the oil shimmers, sear pork chops for 2-3 minutes per side until deeply browned and caramelized.
- Bake: Transfer chops to a baking dish and pour pan juices over the top. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Rest and Serve: Let chops rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
Always use thick-cut pork chops (at least 3/4 inch) for the juiciest results. Pat chops completely dry before seasoning — moisture prevents browning. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking; 145°F is the target. Don’t skip the 5-minute rest — it makes a noticeable difference in juiciness. Pour every drop of pan juices over the chops before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 380
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Protein: 30
