Dark Rum and Pineapple Glazed Pork Chops
Juicy pork chops glazed with a rich dark rum and pineapple sauce, caramelized to perfection for a tropical-inspired main course. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) bone-in pork chops, dark rum, pineapple juice 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) bone-in pork chops
- 1/4 cup dark rum
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp (for garnish) chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in pork chops (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and sear for 4 minutes per side until golden brown and slightly crispy along the edges.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup dark rum, 1/2 cup pineapple juice, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 3 minced garlic cloves.
- Step 4: Pour the rum-pineapple mixture over the pork chops in the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 8 minutes, spooning the glaze over the chops occasionally until the sauce thickens and coats the meat.
- Step 5: Remove chops from heat, garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, and serve immediately with the caramelized glaze.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dark Rum and Pineapple Glazed Pork Chops take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Dark Rum and Pineapple Glazed 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 dark rum from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Dark Rum and Pineapple Glazed 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 Dark Rum and Pineapple Glazed 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 Dark Rum and Pineapple Glazed Pork Chops?
Caribbean 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.
