Brown Sugar Marinade For Pork Chops

Here’s an easy dinner idea. This Brown Sugar Marinade for Pork Chops makes flavorful, juicy chops that cook quickly and are super delicious!

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients You’ll Need
• Step-By Step Instructions
• Tips for Grilling Pork Chops
• Tips for Grilling
• Tips and Possible Variations
• Serving Ideas
• Frequently Asked Questions
• More Recipes to Try
• Brown Sugar Marinade for Pork Chops
• Subscribe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The biggest issue with pork chops is that if you cook them too long, they’re like eating an old shoe. There, I said it.

Seriously, most of the time, let’s admit that pork chops need some kind of help – a brine or marinade – to flavor and tenderize them before cooking. Yay for these brown sugar pork chops, a super easy recipe that you can use with an indoor grill pan, an outdoor gas grill, or a cast iron skillet.

Here’s a few good reasons to try them:

• This marinade has a savory flavor in spite of some brown sugar, and with a mixture of soy sauce, the chops are juicy with tons of flavor.
• Pork chops are easy to prep. Let them marinate from 3 hours to overnight.
• Clean-up is easy! The pork marinade can be stored in a large Ziplock freezer bag or a shallow dish (just make sure the marinade covers the chops).
• If you love recipes like this, bookmark these for any night of the week: This Meatballs in Marinara Sauce Recipe is so good, you’ll keep going back to it. This Chicken Sausage Vegetable Skillet is easy, and maybe you’ll have some leftovers, too! Don’t forget this classic Taco Pie…it’s a fantastic weeknight dinner.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the full recipe and list of ingredients, please scroll down to the recipe card below.

• Pork Chops: Bone-in (always!) and at least 1″ inch thick if possible.
• Brown Sugar: A natural tenderizer with a touch of sweetness.
• Olive Oil: To keep things moist.
• Soy Sauce: Gives a deep flavor, and no need for Kosher salt!
• Fresh garlic: For lots of flavor.
• Black Pepper: For balance.
• Dijon Mustard: For just a little heat.

Step-By Step Instructions

For the marinade, here’s all you do:

1. In a bowl, shallow dish or gallon-size freezer bag, combine the olive oil, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, a little water, black pepper and the mustard.
2. Add the chops and turn them to coat.
3. Let them marinate for at least 3 hours, or overnight in the refrigerator.

Tips for Grilling Pork Chops

The trick to keeping things juicy is to cook them quickly, just a few minutes per side. Here’s how:

1. Take them out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to bring them close to room temperature.

2. Put some olive oil on the grill to prevent sticking.

3. Cook on medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes undisturbed with the lid on. Remove the lid, turn over, and cook 3 more minutes.

That’s it! Remove the chops and set aside covered with foil for 10 minutes to let them rest and stay warm, then serve.

Tips for Grilling

• Use an indoor grill pan, an outdoor gas grill or a cast iron pan. A non-stick saute pan will work too.
• Once you put the chops on the heat, don’t touch them for 3-4 minutes. They need time to caramelize and form a crust. Then turn and continue cooking for 3 more minutes.
• Let the chops rest, covered with aluminum foil for 10 minutes to let the juices redistribute.
• If you’re curious, chops are fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. You can check this with an instant-read food thermometer if you’d like, but note that the chops will continue to cook as they rest, so pull them off just before they’re fully cooked.

Tips and Possible Variations

• The most important tips for this recipe are don’t fuss with or move the chops once you’ve placed them on the grill and, of course, don’t overcook them.
• The best pork chops are allowed to rest for 10 minutes before you cut into them
• Quick-cooking retains the moistness and flavor.
• The cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the meat.
• Boneless pork chops don’t work as well with this recipe, also, thin pork chops are extra easy to overcook.
• If it smells like the grill pan is burning (from the sugars on the marinade) turn the heat down to medium heat.
• I like to pull this marinade together the evening before and let it sit in the fridge overnight, but you’ll have good results from marinating for 3-6 hours too.
• Be sure to take the chops out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you plan to cook them. This is the best way to bring them close to room temperature.

Serving Ideas

• Easy meals like this need good side dishes, and a crunchy, fresh salad like this, or a carrot currant salad are perfect. Simple greens dressed with olive oil, lemon juice and fresh ground pepper would be very good too.
• Cheesy potatoes are wonderful with pork chops. This is a well known fact.
• I love the idea of serving this recipe with thick grilled fresh pineapple slices.
• Start a nice dinner like this with these obsessively good marinated olives, and some sweet & spicy almonds to get things going.
• Finish up with a wonderful, homey dessert, like a warm fruit crisp and vanilla ice cream, or some little fresh strawberry pies.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Recipes to Try

• Marinated Grilled Asparagus Recipe: These delicious spears go with everything.
• Grilled Peppers and Onions Recipe: Another great side dish that would be perfect with pork chops!
• Authentic Pasta Fagioli Recipe: A classic, fantastic soup recipe.
• Pan Seared Chicken Thighs: Moist, tender, juicy.
• Cantaloupe and Ice Cream: A wonderful, seasonal dessert.
• Decorated Chocolate Covered Strawberries: Fun to make and eat.
• Turkey Burger Sliders Recipe: A fun and delicious recipe!
• Mini Eggplant Recipes: Just a great veggie side or main dish.

If you’ve tried this Brown Sugar Marinade For Pork Chops, or any other recipe on Studio Delicious, please rate the recipe 5 stars and tell me how you liked it in comments below!

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The text in this post was updated July, 2024.