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Brown Sugar Pork Chops

Brown sugar pork chops with a crackling, caramelized brown sugar crust—sticky-sweet outside and juicy inside. Quick pan sear creates a glazed pork chop finish, then butter basting brings it together for easy pork dinner results.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar packed
garlic powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
cayenne pepper
  • 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
salt
  • 1 salt to taste
black pepper
  • 1 black pepper to taste
olive oil
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
butter
  • 1 tbsp butter
pork chops
  • 4 boneless pork chops (1 inch thick)
lemon
  • 1 lemon wedges for serving

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Make the brown sugar rub
  1. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
Sear and glaze
  1. Pat pork chops dry, then coat both sides thoroughly with the brown sugar rub.
  2. Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, then sear the pork chops for 4 minutes without touching until caramelized on the first side.
  3. Flip the pork chops carefully and sear for 4 minutes while melting brown sugar into a glossy pan sauce.
  4. Add butter and cook for 1–0 minutes, basting with the caramelized pan sauce until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Rest and serve
  1. Rest the pork chops for 3 minutes so the juices settle and the crust stays slightly crackled.
  2. Serve with lemon wedges and drizzle any pan sauce over the top.

Notes

Pro tip: keep the first sear hands-off so the brown sugar caramelizes into a crust. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container; reheat gently in a skillet over low heat until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended for the best crust texture. For a lower-sugar option, use a brown-sugar substitute (measure like-for-like) to keep the glaze style without the same sweetness.