Description
These baked brown sugar pork chops feature a crispy, caramelized crust and juicy meat, coming together in under 30 minutes with simple pantry staples.
Ingredients
- Thick-cut pork chops (1-inch thick, bone-in or boneless)
- Brown sugar (light or dark)
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Ground cumin
- Cayenne pepper (optional)
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Vegetable oil or olive oil
- Apple cider vinegar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and let it fully heat up for about 10 minutes.
- Pat pork chops dry with paper towels and season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and cayenne. Whisk until well mixed.
- Drizzle oil over the chops and rub it in, then sprinkle the spice mixture generously over both sides, pressing it into the meat.
- Arrange chops on a lined baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes without opening the oven door frequently.
- Check internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer; it should reach 145°F (63°C).
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Pat chops dry thoroughly to ensure browning. If sugar burns, lower oven to 375°F. Boneless chops cook faster, so check temperature early. Resting is crucial for juiciness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 thick-cut pork cho
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Protein: 25
Keywords: pork chops, brown sugar, baked pork chops, easy dinner, weeknight meal, gluten-free, high protein