Pan-Seared Pork Chop with Maple Bourbon Glaze

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy pork chops seared to golden perfection and finished with a sweet and smoky maple bourbon glaze inspired by classic American diner flavors. This american-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs about 1 inch thick bone-in pork chops, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 2, 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 2 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Order on Instacart →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 2 bone-in pork chops dry and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly.
  2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tbsp olive oil. When shimmering, add the pork chops and sear for 4 minutes without moving until the underside is golden brown.
  3. Step 3: Flip the pork chops and add 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves to the pan. Spoon the melted butter over the chops as they cook for another 4 minutes until an internal temperature of 145°F is reached.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork chops from skillet and tent with foil to rest. Lower heat to medium and add 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp bourbon whiskey, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar to the skillet. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the glaze thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Return the pork chops to the skillet and spoon the glaze over them to warm through for 1 minute. Serve pork chops drizzled with the maple bourbon glaze.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Pork Chop with Maple Bourbon Glaze 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 Pan-Seared Pork Chop with Maple Bourbon Glaze?

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 salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Pork Chop with Maple Bourbon Glaze?

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 Pan-Seared Pork Chop with Maple Bourbon Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Pan-Seared Pork Chop with Maple Bourbon Glaze?

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.

Related recipes

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →