Sweet Tea-Glazed Grilled Pork Chops

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy grilled pork chops brushed with a sweet tea glaze that adds a subtle Southern charm and caramelized finish. This southern united states-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs sweet black tea (cooled), brown sugar, apple cider vinegar 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Southern United States cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup cooled sweet black tea, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tbsp Dijon mustard. Stir until sugar dissolves, then simmer for 8-10 minutes until glaze thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 bone-in pork chops (about 1 inch thick) and season both sides with 1 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp garlic powder.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Brush pork chops with 2 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking.
  4. Step 4: Grill pork chops for 4 minutes on the first side until grill marks form, then flip and brush the cooked side generously with the sweet tea glaze.
  5. Step 5: Grill the second side for 3-4 minutes, flipping again and brushing with more glaze, until internal temperature reaches 145°F and glaze is caramelized.
  6. Step 6: Remove pork chops from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with remaining glaze on the side.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sweet Tea-Glazed Grilled Pork Chops 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 Sweet Tea-Glazed Grilled 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 sweet black tea (cooled) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet Tea-Glazed Grilled 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 Sweet Tea-Glazed Grilled 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 Sweet Tea-Glazed Grilled Pork Chops?

Southern United States 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.

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