Birmingham-Inspired Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chops

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy pork chops brined in classic Southern sweet tea with spices, then pan-seared to golden perfection with a caramelized crust. This southern american-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs (1-inch thick) bone-in pork chops, bags black tea bags, water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Southern American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring 4 cups water to a boil and steep 4 black tea bags for 5 minutes. Remove bags and stir in 1/3 cup granulated sugar and 2 tbsp kosher salt until dissolved. Cool to room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Submerge 4 bone-in pork chops in the cooled sweet tea brine, cover, and refrigerate for 4 hours.
  3. Step 3: Remove pork chops from brine and pat dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1 tsp black pepper and 1 tsp smoked paprika.
  4. Step 4: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add pork chops and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until crust is caramelized and internal temperature reaches 145°F.
  5. Step 5: Remove chops from skillet, rest for 5 minutes, then serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Birmingham-Inspired Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chops take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Birmingham-Inspired Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chops?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bags black tea bags from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Birmingham-Inspired Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chops?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Birmingham-Inspired Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chops for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Birmingham-Inspired Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chops?

Southern American pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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