Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Sautéed Spinach
Juicy pan-seared pork chops coated in a tangy honey-mustard glaze served alongside garlicky sautéed spinach for a comforting meal. This american-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs olive oil, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 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, about 6 oz each, 1-inch thick bone-in pork chops
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach
- 3, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 4 bone-in pork chops dry 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 until shimmering. Add pork chops and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until a deep golden crust forms and internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove chops and keep warm.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar until smooth.
- Step 4: Lower heat to medium and pour the honey-mustard glaze into the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until the glaze thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Return the pork chops to the skillet and spoon the glaze over them to coat evenly. Cook for another minute.
- Step 6: In a separate pan, melt 1 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 7: Add 6 cups fresh baby spinach to the garlic butter and cook, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes until wilted but still vibrant.
- Step 8: Serve the glazed pork chops alongside the sautéed spinach immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Sautéed Spinach 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 Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Sautéed Spinach?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Sautéed Spinach?
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 Chops with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Sautéed Spinach 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 Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Sautéed Spinach?
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.