Braised Brown Sugar Pork Chops
Tender pork chops glazed with a sweet-savory sauce of brown sugar and apple cider vinegar, simmered until perfectly tender. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 60 minutes pairs bone-in, 1-inch thick pork chops, tablespoons olive oil, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 340 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 bone-in, 1-inch thick pork chops
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork chops for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 2: Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Cook 1/2 cup diced onion for 3 minutes until softened. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup chicken broth, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Bring to a simmer, scraping up browned bits from the pan.
- Step 4: Return pork chops to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Step 5: Remove pork chops and set aside. Increase heat to medium-high and simmer sauce for 5 minutes to thicken. Return pork chops to pan, spooning sauce over them. Garnish with 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Braised Brown Sugar Pork Chops take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 Braised Brown Sugar 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 tablespoons olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Brown Sugar 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 Braised Brown Sugar 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 Braised Brown Sugar Pork Chops?
American one pot 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
