4-Ingredient Brown Sugar Pork Chops
These baked pork chops come together with just four ingredients and a few simple steps. The brown sugar creates a sweet caramelized coating while the butter helps keep the pork moist and flavorful.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless or bone-in pork chops, about ¾–1 inch thick
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven
Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. - Prepare the pork chops
Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels and arrange them in a single layer in the baking dish. - Make the brown-sugar coating
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, melted butter, and garlic powder. Stir until you have a thick, smooth mixture. - Coat the pork
Spoon the brown-sugar mixture evenly over the pork chops, spreading it across the tops. Some of the mixture will melt into a delicious sauce as it bakes. - Bake
Bake uncovered for approximately 20–30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chops. Start checking early because thinner chops will cook faster.The pork is safely cooked when the thickest part reaches 145°F (63°C) on a meat thermometer.
- Rest before serving
Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for about 3–5 minutes. Spoon some of the melted brown-sugar sauce from the pan over the chops before serving.
Tips for Tender Pork Chops
- Don’t overbake the chops, since pork can become dry when cooked too long.
- Bone-in chops tend to stay especially juicy.
- If the tops brown too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil for the remaining cooking time.
- For an extra caramelized finish, you can broil the chops briefly at the end, watching them closely because the brown sugar can burn quickly.
Serve these sweet and savory pork chops with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green beans, or rice.
