Easy, restaurant-worthy Brown Sugar Pork Chops has readers raving: โWOW! My new favorite way to make pork chops!โ โSo full of flavor!โ โSo delicious! The whole family loved them!โ
The pork chops are elevated with intoxicating flavors from a paprika chipotle spice rub, garlic, herb brown sugar sauce, and the culinary secret to pork so juicy you will be obsessed. This foolproof recipe will guide you step-by-step to pork chop perfectionโguaranteed to become a family favorite!
If you love pork, youโll love my INSANELY popular garlic butter herb pork tenderloin, grilled pork tenderloin, pork chop marinade carnitas and skillet pork chops with apples!
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Why you’ll love Brown Sugar Pork Chops
These Brown Sugar Pork Chops will have you dreaming about dinner!ย I’ve experimented with different cooking techniques, ingredients, etc., to bring you the ultimate tried-and-true recipe!ย Here’s why it’s the best:
WHAT KIND OF PORK CHOPS ARE BEST?
If you donโt have much experience cooking with pork chops, it might seem overwhelming to select which pork chops to use in this brown sugar pork chops recipe.ย
Pork chops all come from the loin of the pig which runs along the back from hip, and are the most tender part of the animal but some cuts are better than others and some are just better for different cooking techniques.
I always recommend bone-in pork chops because they are juicer, cook more evenly, and are slightly fattier, which equates to more flavor. ย Pork rib chops are the most desirable cut (shown in these recipe photos).ย Sometimes packages mix pork rib chops with bone-in loin chops which is also a good option.ย
PORK RIB CHOP โ RECOMMENDED:
BONELESS CHOP:
PORK LOIN CHOPS (BONE-IN AND BONELESS)
The Secret to Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Chops
The first time I ordered pork chops was at an excellent restaurant โ I was so excited!ย But my excitement quickly turned to disappointment when I discovered the pork chops were SO tough and dry.ย I was frustrated I had paid for such pathetic pork chops!ย
This experience turned me off from making pork chops for a long time โ and then I discovered brining.ย Brining creates the juiciest meat fromย turkeyย toย pork tenderloinย toย chickenย to pork chops โ AKA you will be AMAZED at how tender your pork chops will become!
The pork chop brine changes the pork’s molecular structure by increasing the meat’s moisture capacity, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth pork chops โ every time withoutย having to prep and plan ahead with an overnight marinade.
In a nutshell, hereโs how the pork chop brine works: the salt in the brine 1) hydrates the cells of the muscle tissues via osmosis and 2) allows the cells to hold onto the water while they are cooked by breaking down the proteins so they can no longer contract when cooking.ย This means less water will be squeezed and lost, resulting in juicier pork chops.ย
The vinegar further tenderizes the pork by breaking down some of the protein, and the brown sugar balances the acidity and helps the exterior caramelize in the pan. The salt, vinegar, and sugar also flavor the pork chops from the inside out.
HOW TO BRINE PORK CHOPS
If youโve never used pork chop brine before, donโt be intimidated โ it literally takes 30 minutes and most of that time is hands-off. To brine pork chops:
Just a quick note about brining โ Do NOT evenly swap table salt in your brining solution for kosher salt or your pork will be too salty. You will need half as much table salt as kosher salt. Also make sure to rinse your pork thoroughly after brining to remove excess salt.
Baked PORK CHOP ingredients
These baked brown sugar pork chops are easy to make with pantry staples. You will need:
How to Make Brown Sugar Pork Chops in Oven
Pork chops are easy to cook but they must be cooked the right way in order to not dry them out. Hereโs a detailed look at how to cook the JUICIEST pork chops you’ve ever sunk your teeth into:
1. Use bone-in pork chops
Pork is much leaner than beef, so it is important to set yourself up for success by purchasing bone-in pork chops. The bone acts as a conductor and protects the pork chops from overcooking and helps the chops cook more evenly resulting in juicer pork chops. The bone also has some fat around it that makes it more flavorful and more moist than boneless pork chops.
2. Brine pork chops
I promise this extra step is SO worth it! Brining pretty much guarantees juicy pork chops, flavors the interior of the pork chops, and brings them to room temperature.
To brine pork chops, combine warm water and kosher salt together in a glass dish. Stir until the salt dissolves. Whisk in apple cider vinegar, brown sugar and ice, followed by pork. Add pork and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Remove pork from the brine, rinse thoroughly in cold water and pat dry.
3. Bring pork to room temperature before cooking
If you donโt brine the pork chops, youโll still need to plan ahead to bring your pork chops to room temperature before cooking โ so, I suggest, just brine them! Room temperature pork will cook more quickly and evenly if started at a higher temperature which means the outside is less likely to overcook and has less time for moisture to be released while cooking.
4. Season pork chops with a spice rub
Creating a spice rub is your chance to season the pork chops with TONS of flavor โ so please donโt just use salt and pepper. For these brown sugar pork chops, weโre whisking together paprika, kosher salt, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, black pepper, chipotle chile powder.
Make sure thoroughly pat the pork chops dry after rinsing so the flavorful spice rub can stick and form a flavorful crust.
5. Sear the pork chops
Heat two tablespoons olive oil in a large oven proof skillet over medium-high heat (turn down to medium if stove runs hot). Add the pork chops only once the pan is hot โ you should hear the pork sizzle the second it touches the pan. Sear the pork for about 3 minutes on the first side and one minute on the second side.
It might be tempting to add the spice rubbed pork chops directly to the oven without searing, but this is a big no-no. Searing the pork chops creates a flavorful crust that seals in the juices and keeps your chops tender while cooking. This golden crust is the result of the Maillard reaction, also known as the flavor reaction, in which amino acids and reducing sugars produce browning and complex flavor that canโt be achieved any other way.
6. Bake pork chops – Donโt overcook!
Using oven mitts, immediately transfer the skillet to the hot oven and bake until the pork chops are cooked to an internal temperature of 140ยฐF to 145ยฐF.
You can get away with cooking pork chops solely on the stove if they are thin, but if they are thicker than ยฝ-inch, then quickly searing the pork chops on the stove and finishing in the oven is crucial for juicy pork chops. As previously mentioned, searing insulates the chops and finishing in the oven evenly cooks the pork chops without the risk of drying them out.
7. How long do I cook pork chops in the oven?
The cooking time can take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes due to several variables: how thick the pork chops are, the pork chops initial temperature, what pan you are using, whether or not they were brined, actual oven temperature, etc. Due to these variables, invest in an instant read thermometer and start checking the temperature at 5 minutes and continue checking every minute or two until the chops are ready.
8. Make brown sugar sauce
When the pork chops are cooked, remove them from the skillet but donโt wipe out the skillet โ those golden bits left behind are flavor gold!
Heat the now empty skillet over medium heat on the stove. Add brown sugar, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic, and Italian seasonings. Whisk the sauce around and simmer 1-2 minutes.
9. Let pork rest
Nestle the pork chops back into the pan and spoon the sauce over the pork. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving so it has time to reabsorb the juices that have pushed towards the outside of the protein when cooked. If you cut into the pork chops immediately after cooking, valuable, moisture-giving juices will run out.
What Temperature Should Pork Chops be Cooked To?
It is crucial that pork chops are not overcooked or they can be dry and chewy.ย The brine makes them more forgiving, but for the best pork chops, cook just until done.ย According to USDA guidelines,ย pork chops are done when an internal thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat reaches 145 degrees F, however, this will leave you with dry pork. I suggest 140 degrees for the juiciest pork. This temperature means the pork chops will be slightly pink inside which is OKAY. ย
Recipe VARIATIONS
Tips For Brown Sugar Pork Chops
Tips for Prepping Pork Chops
Tips for Cooking Pork Chops
What to Serve With Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Chops
We love serving these brown sugar pork chops with either potatoes or rice, a sautรฉed or roasted vegetable, salad and bread. Here are some of our favorite pork chop sides:
HOW TO STORE and REHEAT PORK CHOPS
โข Storage: Transfer the brown sugar pork chops and sauce to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to five days.
โข Microwave: Transfer pork chops to a microwave-safe plate. Microwave for 60 seconds, then at 15-second intervals as needed.
โข Skillet:ย Drizzle some olive oil in a skillet and heat to medium heat.ย Add pork chops, cover and cook until warmed through, flipping once.
โข Oven:ย Transfer pork chops to a baking sheet, cover with foil, and reheat at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes or until warmed.
HOW TO FREEZE
Cool pork chops to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container or plastic freezer bag along with the sauce.ย Squeeze out any excess air, label, and freeze for 2 to 3 months.ย
MAKE AHEAD
These brown sugar pork chops are easy to make, but you are welcome to do all of the prep beforehand:
โข Sauce: Whisk the sauce ingredients together and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. ย
โข Brine pork:ย The pork can be brined, rinsed, patted dry, and stored in an airtight container 24 hours before cooking.ย Youโll still want the pork to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
โข Rub:ย Whisk the spice rub ingredients together.ย Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
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Ingredients
Pork
- 4 bone-in-pork chops
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 4 pieces
Brine (optional but recommended)
- 1/4 cup kosher salt NOT table salt
- 4 cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 cup ice cubes
Spice Rub
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 tsp EACH ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp EACH ground mustard, black pepper, chipotle chile pepper
Sauce
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp EACH dried parsley, dried thyme, dried oregano
- pinch-1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- BRINE (optional but recommended): Combine warm water and kosher salt together in a freezer bag or glass dish. Stir until the salt dissolves. Whisk in apple cider vinegar, brown sugar and ice then add pork. Let sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes (see below).
- Meanwhile, whisk seasonings together in a small bowl. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- After 20-30 minutes, remove pork from the brine, rinse thoroughly in cold water and pat dry. Rub the spice mix all over both sides of the pork. Time permitting, let rest 15 minutes.
- Heat two tablespoons olive oil in a large oven proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork chops and sear approximately 3 minutes or until golden, flip over then sear 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add ½ tablespoon of butter to the top of each pork chop. Before you transfer to the oven, make sure there is enough oil in the bottom of the skillet so the pork wonโt burn โ you may need to add an additional tablespoon or so.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F, about 5-10 minutes depending on thickness. Transfer pork to a plate.
- Whisk sauce ingredients into the remaining pan drippings. Simmer just until thickened, 1-2 minutes, stirring often.
- Add pork chops back to the pan and coat with the sauce. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Adjust sauce if desired by adding additional brown sugar for sweeter, lemon juice for less sweet/tangier. Season with additional salt to taste.
Notes
HOW TO STORE and REHEAT
- Storage:ย ย transfer brown sugar pork chops to an airtight container along with sauce.ย Store in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- Microwave:ย ย transfer pork chops to a microwave safe plate. Microwave for 60 seconds then at 15 second intervals as needed.
- Skillet:ย drizzle some olive oil in skillet and heat to medium heat.ย Add pork chops, cover and cook until warmed through, flipping once.
- Oven:ย Transfer pork chops to a baking sheet, cover with foil and reheat at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes or just until warmed through.
HOW TO FREEZE
- Cool pork chops to room temperature then transfer to an airtight container or plastic freezer bag along with sauce.ย
- Squeeze out any excess air.
- Freeze for 2 to 3 months.ย
MAKE AHEAD
These brown sugar pork chops are easy to make, but you are welcome to do all of the prep beforehand:- Brine pork:ย the pork can be brined, rinsed and patted dry and stored in an airtight container 24 hours before cooking.ย Youโll still want the pork to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Rub:ย whisk the spice rub ingredients together.ย Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
- Sauce: whisk the sauce ingredients together and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. ย
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NancyT says
Even though I had signed up on your website a long time ago, I am now really enjoying reading how you cook. It is so informative! I feel like I am always learning something new every time I read your articles. In your Brown Sugar Pork Chops, how thick should your pork chop ribs be? I have always shied away from pork chops because they always turn out dry. Now i really want to try this recipe!
Jen says
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment Nancy, I’m so happy you’re finding the posts helpful! The beauty of searing the pork chops on the stove and finishing them in the oven, is they can really be any thickness. That being said, I always aim for thicker pork chops. enjoy!
Lori says
If you’re going to be making the brine ahead of time and refrigerating it, I’m assuming you don’t need the ice cubes, correct?
Jen says
Hi Lori, I would still add the ice cubes so your not adding the pork directly to warm water. Enjoy!
equator says
I use a “Sea” salt for brineing with very good results. Used kosher salt for a long time but now would never go back, perhaps you should give it a try. Mine is produced by a small company in Canada, highly recommended.
Jen says
Yes, sea salt is excellent! I usually list kosher salt because it’s less expensive but sea salt is always a superior swap.
Tammy says
Loved them! Even my teenage son who will only eat his pork chops BBQed! I think brining really made the difference.
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Jen says
Yesss! Thanks so much Tammy, I’m so happy they were a hit!
Kevin says
Hi Jen!
I made these tonight and they were so delicious! The whole family loved them!
For quite some time Iโve been cooking Sunday dinner ti give my wife a little break from cooking. I think Iโve used your website for most Sundays over the past six months with awesome results. My family really likes your Beef, Chicken, Honey Chicken Enchiladas, Flautas, Salsas…
Thanks for all the outstanding recipes!
Your biggest fans in the mountains of Utah!
The Stokers
Jen says
Thank you so much Kevin for making my day! That is so kind of you to be the designated Sunday cook. I’m honored to be your go-to resource and that your family is loving my recipes! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
Deborah Block says
Thank you again for another delicious recipe! Brining the pork chops make such a difference, so moist. I only had boneless pork chops and they cooked up beautifully. Love your recipes!
Jen says
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment Deborah, I’m so pleased it was a winner! Thanks for making my recipes!
Stephanie Atchison says
Hello,
Does this recipe require both light and regular brown sugar?
Does it make a difference if i use regular for the whole recipe?
thanks!
Jen says
Great question and I’m sorry about the confusion! You can use light or regular for the whole recipe. Enjoy!
Christina Miller says
My family really loves this recipe. So full of flavor. I make this a lot for guests and always get compliments. I was wondering if you have ever made this with chicken? I have a few non-pork eating friends but would love them to enjoy the flavor combos in this
Jen says
Thank you so much Christina, I love hearing this recipe is a repeat favorite! I have never made it with chicken but I think it would be tasty – great idea! I will definitely be trying that soon!
Heather Wilson says
I just want you to know that your recipes are the best! I have made sooo many and I am never disappointed!! Love them all. Thank you
Jen says
Thank you so much for making my day Heather! Iโm honored you’ve made and loved so many of my recipes! xo
Janell says
WOW! My new favorite way to make pork chops. I had very thick chops, probably 1.25″ thick. I’m glad I doubled the sauce to have extra for dipping – it is so good! I did take the meat out a bit earlier at 138ยฐ and they were perfect.
Jen says
Thank you, Janell! I am so glad you enjoyed the pork chops! Thanks for commenting!