Bourbon-Maple Glazed Pork Chops with Caramelized Onions
Juicy pork chops are seared and finished with a rich bourbon and maple syrup glaze, paired perfectly with sweet caramelized onions. This American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs bone-in pork chops, bourbon, pure maple syrup for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces, about 6 oz each bone-in pork chops
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, thinly sliced yellow onion
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in pork chops and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Sear the pork chops in the skillet for 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 145°F. Remove chops and keep warm.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 2 tbsp unsalted butter. Once melted, add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and sauté for 12 minutes until deeply golden and caramelized, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the onions and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in 1/4 cup bourbon and 3 tbsp pure maple syrup, stirring to deglaze the pan and simmer until the glaze thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes.
- Step 5: Return pork chops to the skillet and spoon the bourbon-maple glaze and caramelized onions over them. Sprinkle 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves and cook for 1 more minute to meld flavors. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bourbon-Maple Glazed Pork Chops with Caramelized Onions take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Bourbon-Maple Glazed Pork Chops with Caramelized Onions?
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 bone-in pork chops from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bourbon-Maple Glazed Pork Chops with Caramelized Onions?
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 Bourbon-Maple Glazed Pork Chops with Caramelized Onions 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 Bourbon-Maple Glazed Pork Chops with Caramelized Onions?
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.
