These easy Brown Sugar Pork Chops have a delicious sweet spice rub that gives your pork chops amazing flavor! With instructions for cooking on the stovetop, in the oven and on the grill, this will quickly become your go-to pork chop recipe!
DELICIOUS BROWN SUGAR PORK CHOPS WITH SWEET & SPICY RUB!
Brown Sugar Pork Chops was one of the first recipes I ever shared on the blog, and the photos were terrible! Back then, I was just learning about photography and Lightroom and all the things that come second nature to me now.
But also, I lived in a campus apartment for my husband’s job with a small 12″ window for natural light. My other windows were large stained glass. Beautiful, for sure, but horrible for taking pictures!
This all means that coming back to this post to update the photos and give more detailed instructions has been on my to-do list for quite some time.
It is still one of my go-to pork chop recipes. It’s quick to prep, the brown sugar rub requires only 5 ingredients that I consider pantry staples, and they’re always flavorful!
When I first shared the recipe, I only included one cooking method though. Since we were in student housing, our options for cooking were a bit limited. But now I’m adding a couple extra methods you can choose from.
Since pork chops are easy to cook in a variety of ways, these brown sugar pork chops really are easily prepared all year long. Don’t want to turn the oven on in the heat of summer? No problem. Just grill them or use only stove top!
WHAT IS THE BEST CUT OF MEAT FOR BROWN SUGAR PORK CHOPS?
There are four main cuts of pork chops, and each one has its own merit. So your choice will come down to what you are most comfortable with.
Pork Rib Chops are usually cheapest and easiest to cook as the bone helps the pork chop from overcooking. Boneless pork chops are most commonly sold and a solid choice for these Brown Sugar Pork Chops but will need closer attention to prevent over cooking.
- Pork Rib Chop: This cut comes from the rib section, hence the name! It has a large bone running along one side. It’s very tender with a nice pork flavor. Best for grilling and stovetop!
- Boneless Pork Chop: This is the most lean cut of pork. It’s the most commonly sold pork chop cut in the United States, but it is also easiest to over cook so you need to watch carefully. This is also the cut of pork chop that I use for making slow cooker pork!
- Pork Loin Chop: This pork chop cut has a t-bone in the middle with two different kinds of meat on it – tenderloin and loin. While many consider this a premier cut of pork because it’s extra juicy, it’s also the hardest to cook since the two different meats cook differently. If trying, sear on a cast-iron pan first and then grill or roast while checking often.
- Pork Shoulder Chop: This cut of pork has a ton of flavor because it’s well-marbled; this also makes it tricky to cook. It’s best braised and well tenderized.
HOW THICK SHOULD I BUY MY PORK CHOPS?
Always purchase a pork chop that is at least 1 inch thick. Thinner will most likely result in a dried out piece of meat.
If purchasing boneless pork chops, I recommend 1.5 to 2 inches thick as they are more forgiving.
BAKED BROWN SUGAR PORK CHOPS – TIPS FOR COOKING PORK CHOPS IN THE OVEN:
If you are wanting to cook your pork chops in the oven, I suggest first searing them with oil in an oven safe pan. It seals in the juices and helps provide a faster initial cooking of your pork so you can cook for less time in the oven. This helps prevent over cooking.
Then, place your pork chops in a 350 degree F oven and bake for 10-15 minute more minutes. Time will vary depending on cut and thickness of pork chop.
Keep a close eye on your pork chops. Once they reach an internal temperature of 145, remove and let rest for 3 minutes before cutting or serving.
I love pan searing pork chops and then finishing in the oven because I get consistently delicious pork chops. It also allows me time to finish other sides for dinner or prepare my kids’ plates while in the oven.
HOW TO COOK BROWN SUGAR PORK CHOPS ONLY ON THE STOVETOP?
This is my least favorite way to personally cook pork chops. I struggle with cooking meat solely on the stove; I think it’s because I get easily distracted doing other things. However, my sister does it all the time though and it definitely works!
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in your skillet on medium heat. I personally love using a cast iron skillet for pork because it provides great consistent heat!
Cook the pork chops for about 5-7 minutes on each side. Once they reach an internal temperature of 145, remove and let rest for 3 minutes before cutting or serving.
GRILLED BROWN SUGAR PORK CHOPS – TIPS FOR COOKING PORK CHOPS ON THE GRILL:
Heat grill to medium heat and cook pork chops for around 5-7 minutes on each side. It’s very similar to cooking on the stove top!
Once they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, remove and let rest for 3 minutes before cutting or serving.
If you are using a grill with more control over your heat source, you can sear the meat for 2 minutes of each side first as a higher temp. Then reduce heat and continue cooking for around 5-10 more minutes.
ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR COOKING PORK CHOPS:
A GREAT MEAT THERMOMETER: I cannot recommend having a meat thermometer more! While I constantly use it for all cooking, I find it most important for pork as it can so easily be overdone.
Meat thermometers will make sure you are safely cooking your pork AND keeping it from getting tough!
RELIABLE BBQ Grill Tools Set: If grilling, you definitely want a full set of utensils safe for the grill!
Grill Cooking Spray: If you are grilling pork chops, I recommend using this grill cooking spray or oil up your grate before lighting so your pork chops don’t stick on the grill! I make sure my grill is well coated before cooking any sort of burger or cut of meat.
Nonstick 11-Inch Deep Square Grill Pan: If you don’t have a grill or it’s simply too cold outside, this pan is perfect for evenly cooking pork chops on the stovetop while still getting pretty grilled lines!
WHAT TO ENJOY WITH BROWN SUGAR PORK CHOPS:
- Warmed Apple Butter makes an amazing topping for these pork chops!
- Cinnamon Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes
- Garlic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts
- Rosemary Thyme Au Gratin Potatoes
- Skillet Roasted Asparagus with Garlic and Lemon
- Southern Homestyle Mac and Cheese
- Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
TIME TO COOK UP THESE EASY BROWN SUGAR PORK CHOPS!
Brown Sugar Pork Chops
These easy Brown Sugar Pork Chops have a delicious sweet spice rub that gives your pork chops amazing flavor! With instructions for cooking pork chop on the stove, in the oven and on the grill.
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops - Bone in or Boneless
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder (can substitute for paprika but will lose some spice)
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
INSTRUCTIONS FOR BROWN SUGAR PORK RUB
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Rub the mixture onto both sides of the pork chop using all of the spice mix.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COOKING PORK CHOPS IN OVEN
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in an oven safe skillet over medium/high heat. After the oil is hot, cook the pork chops for about 2 minutes on each side to sear them and lock in the spices.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until you reach internal temperature of 145 degree F. The thicker the pork chop, the longer time it will need to finish cooking in the oven.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 3 minutes before serving.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COOKING PORK CHOPS IN SKILLET
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in an oven safe skillet over medium heat. After the oil is hot, cook the pork chops for about 5-7 minutes on each side or until you reach internal temperature of 145 degree F
- Remove from oven and let rest for 3 minutes before serving.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COOKING PORK CHOPS ON THE GRILL
- Heat grill to medium heat.
- Cook pork chops for around 5-7 minutes on each side or until you reach internal temperature of 145 degree F.
- Remove from grill and let rest for 3 minutes before serving.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 391Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 132mgSodium: 375mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 41g