You Need to Try This Incredible Brown Sugar Baked Pork Chops Recipe

Name: Baked Pork Chops Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¾ cup ketchup; ¾ cup packed brown sugar; ¼ cup lemon juice; 4 butterflied pork chops

Updated: January 29, 2024 by Olivia Mittak | Leave a comment

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There are many ways to make pork chops, but we believe that baking them is a great way to prepare them. Baking preserves the vitamins and nutrients, it does not leave the meat vulnerable to harmful chemicals like grilling can, and, unlike frying it does not produce any extra fat or calories.

The secrets to making great baked pork chops involve using the right flavorings and taking measures to ensure the meat doesn’t dry out. Read on to find out more about how you can make perfect baked pork chops for your family.

Baked Pork Chops with Brown Sugar

Our recipe starts with four butterflied pork chops.

Then, you combine ¾ cup ketchup, ¾ cup brown sugar and ¼ cup lemon juice. Place the pork chops in a buttered baking dish and pour sauce over pork chops. Bake covered for 50 minutes at 325 degrees.

When it comes to making great baked pork chops, the ingredients you use in the sauce or rub can make all the difference. There are many variations you can make on this mixture, but brown sugar is pretty much a mainstay.

Brown sugar has a deep caramel or toffee-like flavor due to its high molasses content. It is often added to sweets like chocolate cake, cookies, and fruit cake. When added to meats, it can make the flavor even more savory.

Of course, brown sugar isn’t the only thing you can use to intensify the flavor of your meat. Some herbs that are recommended to give pork a great taste include caraway seeds, coriander, curry powder, dill, garlic, rosemary, sage, fennel, and thyme.

During the fall, you will want a bit of a richer flavor. This can be accomplished by combining cloves and apples with other herbs like sage and thyme. If you like to keep things spicy, chiles, chili powder, cayenne pepper, or paprika will give your pork the perfect kick.

Tips For Baking Pork Chops

As mentioned before, baking can be one of the healthiest ways to prepare pork chops, but you also run the risk of having them dry out.

It is difficult to cook pork because there is a fine line between the meat being done to perfection and having it become overly dry. Boneless pork is even more prone to drying out than bone-in. The bone conducts heat to keep the meat from overcooking. Without the bone, you must be increasingly careful to prevent dryness.

However, there are measures you can take to reduce the risk of having pork dry out. These include the following:

Buy pork chops that are at least 1 ½ inches thick, pink in color and have some amount of fat. This will help add flavor and moisture. Add a marinade. Use the marinade of your choice to break down the proteins and tenderize the meat For best results allow the meat to marinate in the refrigerator at least 3 to 4 hours, but no longer than 12.

Bring pork chops to room temperature before cooking. This will ensure they cook evenly and retain moisture while they cook. While waiting, dry the pork chops to remove excess marinade and keep them from burning while they cook.

Sear the meat in a pan before cooking. This will form a crust on the chops that will seal in the juices and keep the chops tender while they cook. Add chicken stock to pork chops before baking them. This can give them an extra dose of moisture. A pat of butter can be helpful as well.

Use a meat thermometer to make sure your meat reaches the desired temperature without overcooking. Let the pork chops rest for about 10 minutes before serving or slicing into them. This will allow the juices to sink back into the meat keeping it tender and juicy.

Pork makes a great base for a delicious meal and oven baking is a convenient and healthy way to prepare it. Experiment with different seasonings and do your best to keep the meat tender and juicy. Then look forward to serving your family a dish that is sure to put a smile on their faces.

Sides to Serve With Pork Chops

There are so many different sides that you can serve with these pork chops. Really, it boils down to what you're looking to get out of your dinner. Do you want something simple? Classic? Something the kids won't complain about?

There are plenty of different themes that your sides can take. If you want to go a healthy route, choose mixed veggies or applesauce. If you have the time, prepare your own applesauce. It's always going to be better than store bought. However, you can't beat the convenience of store-bought applesauce.

Cottage cheese can make for a simple side, too. Buy low-fat cottage cheese if you want to keep your side dish on the healthier side. Cottage cheese that is lower in fat will have fewer calories. Sprinkle a little black pepper on top for extra flavor.

Finally, you can't go wrong with mac and cheese. This is a kid's favorite, and many adults will choose it as their favorite side dish, too. There are so many ways to enjoy mac and cheese, so pick your favorite way to make it and enjoy!