Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Everyone loves a dinner they can make each night that is not a crazy long recipe or process. I personally also love recipes where I can prep ahead of time to make meals easier to throw together! If you love those things, too, you will love this sweet and sticky and garlic pork chop recipe I have for you! Not to mention, it’s incredibly delicious and unforgettable.

My sweet and sticky garlic pork chops are simple to make, and you will soon find they are a great go-to when you want something show stopping without all the time, effort, and clean up. Food is meant to be enjoyed, and you can do more of the enjoying part with these. These delicious chops don’t require marinating but come out beautifully browned edges, satisfyingly sweet, and just so finger licking good!

Rave reviews

I often get asked for pork chop recipes and this is a favorite! In fact, I would say it is one of the best pork chop recipes I have ever come up with. Pork chops can be difficult to cook because they’re easy to dry out if you cook them wrong, so a good recipe can be hard to find! My family, friends, and neighbors too, however, have all sampled these pork chops during their development, and I got nothing but rave reviews—that’s how I knew it was time to share with the masses!

This entire recipe is prepared in a skillet and then rounded off in a broil or grill for finishing touches. The final step, of broiling, is the exclamation point on the end of the recipe that gives the pork chops a perfect crunch – so don’t skip that last step. I am excited for you to try this recipe on everyone you know. I did!

Preparing the pork chops

Preheat – Always heat the pan you will be using ahead of time.
Type of Chops – you can use pork chops with or without bones.
Pre-season – to keep the meat from drying out, pre-season before cooking.
Browning – Brown your pork chops for at least five minutes on each of its sides.

The no-marinade pork chop

The pork chops have their own natural juices when cooked. These juices will meld with the sauce in the pan to add extra deliciousness in the final broiling step.

1. Add your butter in the skillet where you cooked your pork chops and allow it to melt. This step is important in the sauce to combine flavors. After your butter melts, add everything else. Then, heat the sauce for around five minutes to fully combine flavors. If you allow it to cook for too long, then the honey will completely be gone, and you will not have the proper sauce. So, try not to allow it to cook for too long!
   
   3. Cover your pork chops in the sauce and then allow them to do some broiling for a minute or two. The edges of your pork chops should be crispy!

Choosing Pork Chops

For this recipe, you can use any type of pork chop. For me, I like a pork chop that has no bones and is thick cut. The thick cut I always get is a bit over 1 inch. The 1-inch chops usually take around five minutes on each side. A thinner pork chop will be less time per side.

The best thing to do is always keep a close eye on the chops the first time you make this recipe. Because, as it goes with meat, if you use different cuts, or cuts with a bone-in or not, your total time to cook will differ.

Frying Pork Chops

Pork is finished at 145 degrees Fahrenheit and should still be a little pink inside. I always use a meat thermometer for safety and to also avoid any overcooking and drying out. A neat trick is to keep a close enough eye on your chops to remove them when they are about 10 degrees from being done. From there, you cover your chops in tinfoil and allow them to reach the 145F through the heat created inside the foil.

Trust me, I know – pork chops are super easy to dry out and cook too long. No one wants a dried out, overcooked, and leathery piece of meat.

So, here’s some top tips for getting the best results with your pork chops:

 

• For even cooking and juicy results, let your pork chops sit out on the counter from the fridge for about half an hour before even beginning preparing.
• For help with a perfect crust, be generous with the salt and seasoning before searing your pork chops.
• Use equal parts oil and butter. I like to use both oil and butter when frying my pork chops. Butter is there for the flavor and the oil helps with the rest–and prevents the butter from burning too.
• Try not to touch the pork chops when they are cooking so the crust develops evenly. Also try to not pierce the chops during this stage so the juices don’t leak out just yet.
• Allow the pork chops to just sit in a plate without being moved, cut, or adjusted after they are finished. I usually wait ten minutes, but it can also depend on the size and cut of the meat. This ‘waiting’ period, allows the juices to evenly distribute through the meat.

What do you need to make Honey Garlic Pork Chops

4 thick cut pork chops

1tsp garlic powder

1-2tbsp butter

2tbsp olive oil

6 garlic cloves,minced

1/4cup water

1/4 cup honey

2tbsp rice wine vinegar

Salt,to season

Black pepper, to season

How to make Honey Garlic Pork Chops

FIRST STEP:

Allow your pork chops to sit out on the counter for 30 minutes before preparing.

Preheat your broiler to a medium-high heat.

SECOND STEP:

Use garlic powder, pepper, and salt to season your pork chops.

Add equal parts oil and butter to a skillet set on medium high. Sear both sides for around five minutes (less if a thin cut). Try not to touch while searing.

Move to a plate…

a)

b)

c)

THIRD STEP:

Using the same pan, reduce the skillet’s temperature to a medium.

Add in the butter and work to pull up any leftover bits in the pan.

FOURTH STEP:

Cook the garlic in the butter and then add in water, vinegar, and honey.

Turn the skillet’s heat back to a medium-high and cook the sauce for a few minutes. Stir occasionally. The sauce should both thicken and lessen.

FIFTH STEP:

Place the pork chops back into the skillet. Cover in the sauce.

Set the pork chops to broil until edges are crispy, one to two minutes.

SIXTH STEP:

Add garnish and serve with sides of your choice.

Enjoy!

BAKING OPTION

1. Set your oven to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Season your pork chops and set a skillet to medium-high heat.
3. Quickly sear the pork chops (two minutes per side) in a skillet that is safe for the oven.
4. Take your seared pork chops out of the skillet and prepare the sauce in step four above.
5. Cover your pork chops in the sauce and place them in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Broil for about two minutes. Edges should be charred.