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The Best Juicy Brown Sugar Baked Pork Chops

4.99 from 771 votes
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These Juicy Brown Sugar Baked Pork Chops have convinced me to make them in the oven more often. No more dry, unpleasant pork chops! These juicy brown sugar baked pork chops are melt in your mouth tender! If you need to use up pork loin as well, try my Stuffed Pork Loin!

Table of Contents
  1. How To Oven Bake Pork Chops So They Are Juicy, Flavorful And Tender.
  2. Some tips before you get started
  3. When are the pork chops done?
  4. Watch us make this recipe
  5. What is the Best Way to Cook Pork Chops?
  6. How to Choose your Pork Chops
  7. What Temperature Should Pork Chops be Cooked To?
  8. How do you cook pork chops without drying them out?
  9. How to Store the Leftovers
  10. Is Pork Healthy or Unhealthy
  11. What to Serve With Pork Chops
  12. How do I make Shake and Bake pork chops?
  13. Need some more Pork Dinner Recipes? Try these!
  14. Don’t forget to PIN THIS RECIPE to your DINNERS Board and remember to FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST!
  15. Saucy Brown Sugar Baked Pork Chops Recipe
Saucy Baked Pork Chops on a bed of rice on a blue and white plate

How To Oven Bake Pork Chops So They Are Juicy, Flavorful And Tender.

Oven baked pork chops are fast and easy, you simply pop them in and let them cook while you prep the rest of the dinner. This is my favorite pork chop recipe! (of course, because it’s sweet with garlic, how can you lose?)The time has come my friends, to enjoy pork chops like they have always been meant to enjoy. Tender. Juicy. Succulent. Does this sound like the pork chops that you ate growing up? Of course it doesn’t!

Our parents had to cook the ever living heck out of pork and we ate shoe leather as children. Mr Magpie actually wouldn’t eat pork chops until the new recommended pork cooking temps came out. We honestly didn’t eat much pork the first ten years of our marriage. Now, this is an often requested weeknight dinner!

Some tips before you get started

What’s Better, Bone-in or Boneless?

Don’t buy boneless pork chops. Believe it or not, buying pork chops with the bone in is much better. Why is this? Bones actually lend flavor and moisture to the meat and removing them will lead to a less satisfying overall taste. Furthermore, pork chops with the bone still attached help slow down the speed at which the meat is cooked which in turn, gives you more leeway time wise when cooking.

image of 4 pork chops laid out

Room temperature meat makes a difference!

Let your pork chops come to room temperature before cooking. According to most chefs, letting the meat sit for 20-30 minutes at room temperature allows for more even cooking throughout! If you transfer directly from the fridge to the oven without letting it sit first, you may end up with some areas being more cooked than others. Try this tip and taste the difference!

Fat means flavor!

Don’t cut the fat off! This might seem like a no brainer but cutting off the fat is like guaranteeing your pork chops will taste more bland than normal. Never cut the fat off before cooking, there are very few instances with any meat when this is recommended.

Foolproof cooking with an Instant-Read Thermometer!

Always use a meat thermometer when cooking. A fast digital one like my much treasured Thermapen are the best for instant readings. Make sure you only cook to the recommended safe temperature which is currently 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Yellow, Red, Blue and Green Instant Read Thermometers

Ingredients

  • Soy sauce – use low sodium if you want to cut down on salt
  • Worcestershire Sauce – this is a super key ingredient for flavor
  • Minced garlic – fresh is best but I love using jarred minced garlic for a fast trick (avoid garlic powder if possible)!
  • Ketchup – use your favorite brand
  • Brown sugar – this gives the sauce it’s caramel flavor
  • Pork chops – thicker is best but even in my video I used fast fry to show you how easy this is!

Directions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 °F.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, Worcestershire, garlic, ketchup and brown sugar . Adjust this mixture to taste, some people like more ketchup along with the brown sugar. Once you have adjusted it to taste, move on to the next step.
  • Pat dry your pork chops with a paper towel to remove any leftover moisture or blood from the packaging, then place the pork chops in the bottom of a baking pan. Pour the sauce over the pork chops.
  • Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 °F.
  • Remove and serve. The sauce is excellent on rice!

When are the pork chops done?

You’ll know these oven baked pork chops are good to go when they reach an internal temperature of 145 °F. As mentioned above, this usually takes about 25-30 minutes in the oven but for fool-proof cooking, check them at the 20 minute mark with a digital instant-read thermometer to know for sure. All ovens are different so they make take a little less time or a little more depending on the brand of oven.

Watch us make this recipe

What is the Best Way to Cook Pork Chops?

Oven baked is the best way if you don’t have time to babysit them on the stove in a skillet. While it’s far easier to gauge the temperature when cooking them on the stove ( it’s easier to insert the thermometer when you are cooking on the stove rather than opening the oven time and time again) oven baked means that you don’t have to watch them as closely.

pork chops in the bottom of baking pan together with the sauce

How to Choose your Pork Chops

When it comes to selecting your pork chops, I always recommend at least an inch thick if you can get them. How long they take to cook in the oven depends on how thick the pork chops are. If they are the “normal” size (I would call 1/2 inch thick pork chops a standard size throughout grocery stores) then they can take anywhere from 25-30 minutes. However, if they are thicker (and these are the best ones in my opinion) they can take 35-40 minutes. I adore a good one inch thick pork chop and if I can, I will choose those. Ask your local grocery store butcher if they can cut you pork chops an inch thick.

Close up of a sauce covered pork chop on white rice

What Temperature Should Pork Chops be Cooked To?

You can now cook pork to 145 °F. I recommend using a solid digital meat thermometer to check your temperatures and make sure they are cooked correctly. I personally use a Thermapen which is excellent because it gives you a reading right away without losing too much heat from the oven/bbq/etc. They also come in pretty colors like this:

Yellow, Red, Blue and Green Instant Read Thermometers

How do you cook pork chops without drying them out?

Pork is a very lean meat on the surface and as you know will dry out very fast. Even these oven baked pork chops that have a sauce are cooked lower. That homemade shake and bake mix of mine has olive oil in it, which makes up for the lack of fat on the outside of the chops. That’s why you can bake those at 400 degrees, you will get a seriously crispy, amazing pork chop! For any other that doesn’t have an oil based coating that crisps up, cook it at 350 °F. To make sure they don’t dry out, just keep an eye on their internal temperature and make sure to follow my tips above and not cut the fat off or use boneless pork chops.

Saucy Brown Sugar Baked Pork Chops with Pyrex Snowflake Garland pan in the background
Saucy Brown Sugar Baked Pork Chops with Pyrex Snowflake Garland pan in the background

How to Store the Leftovers

When it comes to these tender pork chops, I highly doubt you’ll have any leftovers but on the rare chance that you do, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I personally recommend eating them the next day though otherwise the marinade and the pork may start to dry out, and nobody wants that to happen!

Is Pork Healthy or Unhealthy

Pork is a very lean meat, not unlike chicken, and as such, it’s a great choice for people on a diet (such as low carb) or those of us looking to reduce our calories and focus on food that is packed with nutrition. It’s also rich in iron and zinc as well as other vitamins and minerals your body needs. Pork is also full of high quality protein. Want to learn more about the health benefits of pork? Check out this article on WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/diet/pork-good-for-you

What to Serve With Pork Chops

I personally like to serve these ones up on a bed of rice but you can also serve with a side of vegetables soaked in butter or over mashed potatoes.

Mix things up and try a few of these options:

  • Try my Broccoli Salad for a healthy side dish, it’s always a family favorite.
  • In the middle of winter and want something fresh? My winter citrus avocado salad is a taste of summer on a plate!
  • Nothing beats a good sweet dinner roll recipe for a comfort food side dish.

How do I make Shake and Bake pork chops?

That’s SO easy! You just get my Homemade Shake and Bake recipe and bake away! This is honestly the best Shake and Bake recipe, all ingredients that you have at home in your pantry and easy as heck to make! You’re going to love it!

Need some more Pork Dinner Recipes? Try these!

  1. How to Cook a Pork Loin Roast
  2. The Best Pulled Pork Ever: Beer n’ BBQ
  3. Parmesan Panko Pork Chops
  4. Spicy Pork Roast
  5. Retro 7Up, Pineapple Cherry Slow Cooker Ham

Happy cooking!

Love,

Karlynn

Don’t forget to PIN THIS RECIPE to your DINNERS Board and remember to FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST!

Saucy Brown Sugar Baked Pork Chops are a fast, easy and delicious way to bake pork chops! The entire family will love them! #pork #porkchops #porkchop #recipe #dinner #supper #baked #familyfriendly
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Saucy Brown Sugar Baked Pork Chops

Saucy Brown Sugar Baked Pork Chops are a fast, easy and delicious way to bake pork chops! The entire family will love them! 
4.99 from 771 votes
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Total Time
35 minutes
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
North American
Servings
4
Calories
339
Author
Karlynn Johnston

Ingredients
 

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 4 pork chops

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350 °F.
  • Stir together the soy sauce, Worcestershire, garlic, ketchup and brown sugar . Adjust this mixture to taste, some people like more ketchup along with the brown sugar. Once you have adjusted it to taste, move on to the next step. 
  • Place the pork chops in the bottom of a baking pan, cast iron skillet or oven safe skillet of your choice.  Pour the sauce over the pork chops. 
  • Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 °F.
  • Remove and serve. The sauce is excellent on rice! 

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

  • Nutritional facts will vary due to size of pork chops and products used. 
  • To measure the temperature, insert the thermometer into the deepest part of the pork chop
 

Nutrition Information

Calories: 339kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 89mg, Sodium: 752mg, Potassium: 636mg, Sugar: 30g, Vitamin A: 75IU, Vitamin C: 1.5mg, Calcium: 37mg, Iron: 1.4mg

All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

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Karlynn Johnston

I’m a busy mom of two, wife & cookbook author who loves creating fast, fresh meals for my little family on the Canadian prairies. Karlynn Facts: I'm allergic to broccoli. I've never met a cocktail that I didn't like. I would rather burn down my house than clean it. Most of all, I love helping YOU get dinner ready because there's nothing more important than connecting with our loved ones around the dinner table!

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Site Index Brown sugar Pork chops

Reader Interactions

Comments & Recipe Tips Share a tip or comment!

  1. Robin Crittenden says

    Planning to try this recipe this weekend. You say thicker and bone-in chops are best, but in your video the chops are very thin and boneless! What gives?

    • Robin Crittenden says

      Disregard! Saw your explanation farther down in your narrative. Sorry!

  2. Dawn Freeman says

    I tried these yesterday for dinner. the pork chops were awesome. the sauce was also great on pureed Cauliflower.5 stars

  3. Weston says

    These pork chops are a “go to,” when I am pressed for time and dinner. Delicious and the sauce, yes; great on rice.

    • Michelle says

      I followed the directions exactly just added some honey. it was definitely a hit in my house. thank you for the recipe.5 stars

  4. HEATHER D PEPPER says

    My family and I love these pork chops. I’ve always used the recipe as is. Tonight I’m switching up. I replaced the Worcestershire sauce for Cajun 2 step seasoning. It tastes good in bowl, hopefully even better out of the oven.

  5. Cynthia says

    I made this recipe with boneless pork chops that were just under 2 inches thick. I’m in my late 50s and my boyfriend who is a couple years older told me these were the best pork chops he’s ever had!! A winner for me, and I loved them myself. I served this spectacular display along with roasted broccoli and wild rice. Thank you so much and this is truly a keeper recipe!5 stars

  6. Glenda Hall says

    Everyone in my family loved these. Had thin bone in chops and cut cooking time to 20 minutes. Yummy. This is a keeper.

  7. Mary says

    This was the best sauce recipe. I doubled the batch so we would have plenty for our sticky white rice. Delicious. I will definitely use this sauce recipe with other dishes. Oh, I used the thinly sliced boneless pork chops. Yummy5 stars

  8. Laura says

    what if you were to cover them when you put them in the oven?

    • Michelle Rene Rogers says

      The sauce was very good, but my 1/2 inch bone in pork chops were tough. I didn’t trim the fat. cooked for 25 minutes, also the sauce was thin. Was sad that they weren’t tender or juicy.3 stars

  9. Leanne says

    I didn’t like it very much. Pork had no flavor. Maybe if they were marinated overnight in the sauce. Sauce was to thin and runny, didn’t stick to the rice. Sauce is quite strong too. Sorry but they weren’t for us.3 stars

  10. Joni says

    Recently tried these and they’re so awesome! Thanks so much for this great recipe. I love recipes that are easy and delicious, and this one certainly fits thay bill. And I bet this sauce would also be excellent on baked check chicken breasts. 😉5 stars

  11. ROBERT BATEMAN says

    By far the best pork chops I’ve ever had!! Fast, easy, and the sauce on rice, WOW. Thank you!!!5 stars

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